Honoursmodule: World Power - from Below? Non-State Actors from a Global Perspective

Owner	IIS honoursprogramma
Coordinator	dr. Gerda van Roozendaal
Part of	IIS honoursprogramma,

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

Introduction

The goal of this course is to acquire a deeper understanding of the roles of non-state actors (NSAs) on a global level, focussing on their access to and influence on regional and global decision-making. Studying these roles from an interdisciplinary angle helps us to understand how NSAs can contribute, or may deter, finding solutions for complex problems such as environmental degradation, pandemics or social questions on a global level.

 

Content

Follow the Money and OXFAM GB trying to influence debates on inequality, arms trade or tax havens; trade unions attempting to make countries respect global labour standards; and corporations trying to shape rules regulating investment in their favour. These are all examples of Non-state actors (NSAs) trying to change opinions and actions on a regional, global or transnational level. Is there a thing as ‘power from below’, as opposed to state power, and if so, under what conditions does it occur and should it be facilitated? This honours module is for students who are interested in discussions about the role of NSAs, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), criminal organizations and corporations, operating beyond the boundaries of states.

While for the most part International Relations scholars still consider states the main units of analysis, over the past decades NSAs have obtained increased attention due to the causes they support, the voices they represent, and their strategies. This has given rise to a number of questions, such as whether the inclusion of NSAs in regional and global decision-making is warranted and legitimate, and whether these NSAs actually hold a certain amount of power or influence. Theoretical approaches from disciplines such as sociology, economics, philosophy, legal studies and political science that try to account for the (lack of) power or influence that NSAs have on a global level, and assess the legitimacy and necessity of such influence, will be discussed.

Besides discussing approaches to answer these questions, this module makes students familiar with writing a policy brief. Such an exercise contributes to the development of an important skill; transforming scientific results into a tool that can be employed by NSAs to facilitate action.

Study materials

Literature

• Davies, T. (eds) (2019), Routledge Handbook of NGOs and International Relations. (Abingdon: Routledge, 23 Apr 2019 ).(UvA library) (recommended, not mandatory)

• Keestra, M., Uilhoorn, A. & Zandveld, J. (2022).  An introduction to interdisciplinary research - 2nd revised edition. Amsterdam University Press. (recommended, not mandatory)

• Knopf, J. (2006). Doing a Literature Review. PS: Political Science & Politics,39(1), 127-132. Online access: doi:10.1017/S1049096506060264. (recommended, not mandatory)

• Mandatory literature: see under course structure

Objectives

• Acquire, organize and apply knowledge about non-state actors operating on a transnational, regional and international level
• Evaluate own research and those of others in a critical and substantiated manner
• Develop a research plan from an interdisciplinary perspective, with a clearly formulated problem definition, using one or more theories, methods and techniques suitable for the research
• Conduct research from a disciplinary and interdisciplinary angle on a topic related to this course
• Conduct this research in a way that reflects scientific, social and ethical responsibilities
• Produce a policy brief on a topic related to of non-state actors operating on a transnational, regional and/or international level
• Deliver a research presentation on this brief in a clear and coherent manner

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Presentation/symposium

Learning outcome	Presentation of weekly readings	Research proposal	Research paper	Policy brief	Presentation of policy brief
1. Acquire, organize and apply knowledge about non-state actors operating on a transnational, regional and international level	x	x	x	x	x
2. Evaluate own research and those of others in a critical and substantiated manner	x	x	x
3. Develop a research plan from an interdisciplinary perspective, with a clearly formulated problem definition, using one or more theories, methods and techniques suitable for the research		x
4. Conduct research from a disciplinary and interdisciplinary angle on a topic related to this course			x
5. Conduct this research in a way that reflects scientific, social and ethical responsibilities			x
6. Produce a policy brief on a topic related to non-state actors operating on a transnational, regional and/or international level				x
7. Deliver a presentation on this brief in a clear and coherent manner					x

Learning activities

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance at the lectures is strongly recommended. For tutorials there is a strict attendance rule: During the whole course you may miss max. 2 tutorials.

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade
70% Research paper	Must be ≥ 5
30% Policy brief	Must be ≥ 5
Presentation of policy brief	Must be ≥ pass
Preparing/presenting weekly readings	Must be ≥ pass
Research proposal	Must be ≥ pass

Information for students:
An average grade of 5,5 or higher is required to pass the course. Note that at IIS/FNWI final grades are rounded to whole or half digits (8.2 becomes 8.0). Final grades between 5 and 6 will not be awarded (5.5 becomes 6).

Assessment diagram

Component	Deadline	Weight	Minimum grade	Compensable	Resit
Preparing/presenting weekly readings (groupwork)	One week	pass/fail	pass	No	Yes
Research proposal (group work)	March 8	pass/fail	pass	No	Yes
Research paper (groupwork)	May 10	70%	5	Yes (but only if the grade is 5 or higher)	Yes
Policy brief (groupwork)	May 10	30%	5	Yes (but only if the grade is 5 or higher)	Yes
Presentation of policy brief (groupwork)	May 7	Pass/fail	pass	No	Yes

Inspection of assessed work

Up to 20 working days after the announcement of the result students have the right of inspection of their work (all forms of assessment). The student can request a copy of his/her work by e-mailing the teacher/course coordinator.

 

 On May 14, and, if necessary, May 16, an appointment will be scheduled for feedback on the graded elements of the course. This is mandatory in case of an insufficient final grade.

 

Please note: you lose the right of feedback from the examiner when you don’t attend the Collective Assessment Evaluation without good reasons. For more information about the right of inspection, please refer to OER part A FNWI, article 4.9.

 

After the above mentioned 20 working days have expired the entire exam package must be handed over to the IIS Service Desk after which the work will be archived

Assignments

Oral presentation of weekly readings: This is a group presentation (15 minutes) and every student should be involved in one. The groups consist of about 6-8 people. The course has reserved 6 hours of preparation, and 15 minutes for the actual presentation.

The presentation must be based on the literature prescribed during that week and complemented with a news source (paper, etc) article to illustrate a part of the content of the article. The purpose of the assignment is that students demonstrate their understanding of the theory and link to current events and problems. The group’s discussions in preparation of the class are important to select the parts of the article that invite highlighting and the news source, and to prepare the presentation. Finally,  five  important articles that help to place the topic of this day in a wider discussion need to be selected and be presented briefly. This helps the other students to get familiar with important literature on the subject.

During the oral presentation, not all group’s members need to actually present orally during class. In addition, the presenters are not supposed to give a summary of the prescribed literature. Rather students  must build on the prescribed literature by highlighting the main argument of the source, the strengths and limitations of the source, and by providing examples from which to learn from.

The assessment criteria of the presentation are:

• Critically evaluating the literature, highlighting what is important;
• Using an illustrative news source clipping;
• Coherent structure and inviting format of the presentation.

 

Research proposal: A research proposal must be submitted including an introduction to the research problem at hand, the identification of a research gap, a central question, sub-questions, theoretical and methodological approaches, a table of content, literature and a time schedule. In addition, the interdisciplinary character must be identified (starting level). This assignment must be passed in order to start with the research paper. The assessment is based on the quality of these different components.

 

Research paper: A group of about 3 students will research and write a paper of 10.000 words (20 pages, +/-10%, excluding footnotes,  list of sources and appendices) must be based on a wide variety of primary and/or secondary sources. This written assignment will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Ability to use theory and methodology to analyse a subject related to this seminar;
• Ability to place the research in the scientific fields and identify its contribution;
• The interdisciplinary approach to the research (starting level);
• Structure and clarity of the argument (consistency of introduction, argument and conclusion), including the clarity for a broader public;
• Analytical (and synthesizing) skills with regard to the material consulted;
• Correct spelling and sentence structure as well as stylistic skills;
• Independence in searching and processing literature;
• Use and understanding of secondary and, if relevant, primary sources;
• Correct and careful processing of literature (annotation APA style).

 

Policy brief: A group's paper of 2,000 words (4 pages, +/-10%, excluding footnotes, list of sources and appendices) must be written using the guide provided. This written assignment will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Clarity of the problem definition, including a match between the problem and the target audience
• Quality of the discussion of the various policy alternatives and the final recommendation;
• Correct spelling and sentence structure as well as stylistic skills;
• Independence in searching and processing literature;
• Use and understanding of secondary and, if relevant, primary sources;
• Correct and careful processing of literature (annotation APA style).

 

Presentation policy brief: The presentation entails a 15-minute PowerPoint or alike on the policy brief on a topic related to the theme of the Core Module. The assessment criteria of the policy brief presentation are:

• Convincing explanation of the problem and the evaluation of different policy alternatives/recommendation;
• Clear match of presentation with target audience;
• Coherent structure and inviting format of the presentation.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

This course has a Canvas website. Here you can find the necessary information like the group information of your tutorials, the assignments. Look at Canvas regularly. You are registered for this course via GLASS This means that you are automatically registered for exams and possible resits that are part of this course.

 

Teaching and Examination Regulations

The IIS elective and honours courses are covered by the examination board and the OER of the Bachelor Beta-gamma. Teaching and Examination Regulations (OER) are published annually and lay down all the rules and guidelines regarding assessment and examination which the IIS pursues. The OER can be found via https://student.uva.nl/en/topics/teaching-and-examination-regulations-and-other-regulations. Students and contractors who follow courses at the IIS can draw appeal to the Board of Appeals Board (COBEX).

Social safety and Evaluation Committee

The Evaluation Committee for Honours Education ensures the quality of electives and is committed to providing a safe learning environment. The committee, consisting of students and teachers, meets at least four times a year to provide requested and unsolicited advice on all educational matters related to IIS Honours Education. It utilizes course evaluations and actively seeks contact with students enrolled in IIS Honours Education.

The Evaluation Committee is very interested in comments, suggestions, recommendations, and other insights regarding the content, implementation, and offerings of IIS Honours Education. Students can contact them at honours-iis@uva.nl.

If you experience undesirable behavior or unsafe situations, you can contact the study advisor of your educational program, one of UvA's confidential advisors, the Evaluation Committee, or the coordinators of the IIS Honours Program (via honours-iis@uva.nl). More information and contact details of confidential advisors can be found at: https://student.uva.nl/en/topics/help-with-undesirable-behaviour

Last year's student feedback

In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student feedback to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.

Course Name (#EC)	Not applicable
Strengths	Notes for improvement
Response lecturer:

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Gerda van Roozendaal

Gerda van Roozendaal has an office at Science Park. To contact her, please email to: G.C.vanroozendaal@uva.nl