Global civil society

From anti-war protests to human rights activism, from transnational religious groups to environmentalist movements, activities associated with 'global civil society' have become an increasingly prominent feature of contemporary world politics.

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to global civil society and its roles in respect of a wide range of contemporary global political issues.

The lectures and classes introduce students to the nature of global civil society, its historical evolution and contemporary characteristics, its place in international relations theory, and its purposes, functions and impact.

Insights are drawn from a wide range of literature, including that on social movements, non-governmental organizations, networks and transnational actors, as well as the core literature on global civil society.

The course evaluates global civil society in respect of a wide range of issues, such as: peace and security, democratization, human rights, women's equality, labour rights, development, religion, and the environment.