Course in World Politics
Global politics, also called world politics, refers to the field that studies the interaction of world leaders in political negotiations and in world affairs. This can be viewed from two perspectives; national and global. National politics refers to the politics of countries. Global politics encompasses the international political interactions of world leaders at the United Nations and other international institutions. National politics is more focused on the domestic issues of a country while global politics is concerned with the state of global politics and world peace.
Students in this program are expected to have basic knowledge of world politics, with special emphasis on the philosophy of world politics. There are four courses in this program, all of which are elective. The first two classes, Introduction to World Politics and Introduction to Congress, are prerequisite courses for all students interested in taking the Program. Foreign Policy and International Security Studies, which are Electives, help students explore some of the more complex issues of international security. The fourth class, Comparative International Politics, is for students who are considering pursuing careers in international politics or international law.
The University of London has a long history of undertaking research in world politics and international affairs, interdisciplinary in nature. Their Department of International Politics is one of the largest in the world. Other departments include International Law and Security, Comparative Politics, Department of History, Institute of Politics, and Institute of Education. International Politics covers a broad range of approaches, including post-war European and world political science. One can study world politics through thematic foci; for instance, eco-olitics, social constructionism, globalization, or realism.
A four-year college degree is necessary for a student to enroll in a world politics major. For most students, however, attending university will be the most difficult part of the whole process. Studying world politics involves rigorous reading, research, and writing. Although many courses are taught in the same manner as all other courses in political science, it is still important for a student to decide which area he or she will focus his or her research on. Students should not choose a foreign policy course, just because it is popular. It is wise to seek out classes that delve into a particular aspect of world politics.
As mentioned above, a key concern for anyone choosing a course in world politics is the overall number of units. For those who want to learn a specific historical era, there are numerous options. The best way to quickly determine the number of units needed for a course is to consult the college’s department of education. In the United Kingdom, the British Council also has a student’s guide to world politics. In the United States, the College Board has an International Relations course that can be used for students interested in an international relations major.
There is much to learn about world politics and its effects on our daily lives. With increasing global competition and a fear of loss of power and influence, it is imperative that we learn how to adapt to these changes. Fortunately, there are schools, books, and online courses that can help us become better prepared for the changes that lie ahead. Whether you are already planning on attending a university or are simply interested in learning more about global politics, now is the perfect time to get started. Invest in yourself with a course in international relations today.