This module explores cutting edge, current issues and debates for Geographers in Global Affairs, a fast paced and changing subject area. In this module students will learn about innovative approaches and methods and be introduced to new and alternative perspectives and insights as they arise and outside of the purview of content covered in other modules. The module topic is driven by the research specializations of the module tutors each year, who will introduce students to their cutting edge research and the global geography debates in this domain. The module functions as an advanced senior seminar that showcases new areas of research and teaching, and develops the capacity of students to prepare and present research papers that are theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich. While the topics of this module will change from year to year the module will address a core set of questions of concern relating to human and physical geography, and of significant importance to geographers who focus on the global arena. 

The quest to understand the contemporary politics and international relations of the African continent often appears elusive. That this should be so is not surprising since it has frequently been driven by a need to approach the complexities of the continent from an explanatory scheme that is congruent with Westernisation and liberalism and rooted in western epistemological traditions and experience. Instead, this module explores African politics and international relations from "the inside", through the concepts, theories, paradigms and contexts in which the political, economic and social logic of Africa come together and which engage and challenge contemporary thinking and dominant discourses about society, peoples, cultures, international relations and global affairs.

Content will include reference to: 

• A postcolonial "African" critique of the disciplines of politics and international relations, the Global system, its origins and nature.
• Africa in, and of, the Global South and BRICS and at the centre of Critical International Political Economy.
• The Political Instrumentalization of Disorder - Modernity, Tradition, Power, Progress and Legitimacy in Africa.
• The Postcolonial African State and Post-State - Political Thought and Philosophical Critique; the state as a Matrix; Crisis States, Collapsed States, New States, developmental and post-developmental states.
• Being and Belonging: Origin and culture, land, ethnicity, religion, social class.
• The Productivity of Economic and Political Failure: Migration, Trade and the Informal Economies of the African Sub-Regions; Debt, Trade and Aid; development and Post-Development.
• Conflict, Peace and Justice in Africa - Restorative, Distributory, Reparative, Reconciliatory and Indigenous African Approaches and Practices.
• Modernity: Africa as a critical site of modernity and legitimacy in the world.

The primary aims of this module are:

• To provide a critical understanding of the historical, political and economic positionally of Africa, in and of the world, as seen through multiple paradigms, theories, concepts and contexts which shape our understanding.
• To offer perspectives and insights that engage with, stand in contrast to, and challenge, dominant paradigms of the global North about politics and international relations, as seen through the lens of 'the other'.
• To develop critical thinking amongst participants about the subject of inquiry.
• To develop research capacity appropriate to level 6 of study and as foundational to success for postgraduate studies.

Following the seventeen sustainable development goals initiated by the United Nations in 2015, this module embedded the social, economic and environmental challenges we encounter in the next century to examine the intersection of crisis management, humanitarian action, and economic strategies for resilience and recovery. Students will explore critical themes, including disaster response, the role of humanitarian organizations, and the socio-economic challenges of recovery. It delves into how societies and international systems respond to disasters, both natural and man-made, and how these responses influence long-term recovery, peace, and economic stability. The module emphasizes the importance of sustainable and equitable recovery practices and encourages students to evaluate various international approaches to managing crises.

In this module, students will develop a deep understanding of the political, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to disasters and crisis, as well as analyse the short-term and long-term impacts of these crises on societies and global stability. They will critically assess the principles, roles, and ethical challenges involved in humanitarian responses, using real-world cases to explore the complexities and dilemmas inherent in delivering aid across diverse crisis situations.

Additionally, students will examine economic theories and development practices that promote sustainable recovery and resilience, with a particular focus on reconstruction strategies that address underlying social and economic vulnerabilities. By integrating theoretical frameworks with practical case studies, students will develop the skills needed to propose effective solutions for real-world crises, addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and the challenges of long-term resilience to crisis and economic development.

 Key Themes and Topics

1. Understanding Crisis and Disasters

Definition and types of crises: natural disasters, economic collapses, pandemics, and political instability Root causes and contributing factors, including climate change, inequality, governance, and resource scarcity. The immediate and long-term impacts of crises on societies, economies, and international relations.

2. Humanitarian Response and Ethics

The principles of humanitarian action: neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The role of humanitarian organisations, NGOs, and international bodies in crisis response. Ethical dilemmas in humanitarian aid: intervention vs. sovereignty, short-term relief vs. long-term development.

3. Peace Economics and Post-Crisis Recovery

Economic theories and models for sustainable recovery. Reconstruction and development: rebuilding infrastructure, restoring economies. Case studies on successful and unsuccessful recovery efforts, examining factors that contribute to resilience.

4. Global Challenges and Emerging Issues in Crisis Management

The role of technology, social media, and big data in disaster response and recovery. Cross-border challenges. Climate adaptation and resilience planning in vulnerable regions

5. Big data and analysis

Use of data sets to understand resilience, disaster responses, and policy interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of the climate and disaster to the sustainable development

6. Amartya Sen and his model

Amartya Sen's model of development, known as the capability approach, focuses on the freedom of individuals to lead the lives they value. Sen believed that development should be measured by the extent to which it increases human capabilities, rather than by economic growth or technical progress.

The Major Independent Project in Global Affairs is designed to provide an opportunity for sustained and independent study in the final year of the Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations Programme. It intends to develop knowledge of, and critical insight into, a topic of the student's choice within the subject area under study. Students are enabled to undertake first-hand enquiry and encouraged to develop an analytical and reflective approach to the subject identified for study. The module aims to encourage the articulation of a critically informed perspective on the subject being studied. It also intends to enable the production of a coherent document of rigorous academic standards.

There are three routes within this module, each producing a major piece of written work through different methodologies and formats.

Route 1: Major Independent Project in Global Affairs: Dissertation

Route 2: Major Independent Project in Global Affairs: Policy Document

Route 3: Major Independent Project in Global Affairs: Field/Archival Immersion and Publishable Research Article

Each of these routes combine scheduled teaching and learning, individual supervision, and independent research. The number of hours for each, depend upon the route taken. In addition, those on the Field/Archival Immersion route will spend dedicated hours on this. The total number of hours for the module add up to 400.

The module concludes with a Professional Conference for students to showcase their work.