History and Future of the United Nations

“There is no alternative to the UN. It is still the last best hope of humanity.” (Kofi Annan 1997). Former Secretary General Kofi Annan’s words poignantly illustrate the importance of the United Nations (UN) to international affairs.

The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the UN and the UN system. It examines the context provided by situating the UN within other International Organisations (IOs). Understanding the heritage, operation, and goals of the UN and its constituent parts will add breadth and depth to the student experience.

The module starts by examining the ways in which International Organisations came into being and how they evolved into the United Nations Organisation in 1945. A theoretical foundation is then given, before the rest of the module concentrates on the ways in which the UN system has changed in recent years, and asks what the short and medium-term effect of these changes are likely to be. Particular attention will be given to peacekeeping and collective security, and human rights. An important sub-theme throughout will be the changing role of the state in the contemporary global system and how this has had an effect on the working of the UN.

An understanding of the UN and the UN system within the appropriate context of international organisations will complement the student’s knowledge and understanding of International Studies and Diplomacy. Understanding the heritage, operation, and goals of the UN and its constituent parts will add breadth and depth.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

• an excellent ability to comprehend both conceptually and empirically the United Nations, and the UN system within the conceptual framework of Global International Organisations
• comprehensive understanding of, and ability to critically review the relevant literature
• aptitude in constructing and applying an appropriate analytical approach to issues relevant to the subject matter
• capacity to source, integrate, analyse and summarise relevant research and data in the submission of assessments
• the relevant skills to propose, debate and appraise feasible issues relevant to the subject

Workload

The module will be taught over 10 weeks

• 2 hour lecture per week 
• 1 hour tutorial per week

Method of assessment

• Assignment 1 - 15%
• Assignment 2 - 85%

Suggested reading

• Adami, Rebecca, Women and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Routledge 2018
• Willams, Ian, Untold: The Real Story of the UN in War and Peace, JustWorld Books,2017
• Weiss Thomas G. Would the World be better without the UN? Polity, 2018.
• Plesch, Dan, Human Rights After Hitler,Georgetown UP, 2017

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules