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Description
This course approaches geopolitics through the idea of the event. It begins with an overview of thinking on events before looking at a series of specific events and themes. The course explores questions such as, what is a geopolitical event? How do geopolitical events unfold in, and serve to transform, time and space? What is the relation of events to situations? How do events affect and involve people and places? How are they brought into public and political life? How can we construct useful and valid accounts of events that are by definition contested?
The course aims are as follows:
- to familiarise students with social sciences and humanities thinking on the idea of the event
- to link ideas of the event with ideas of geopolitics
- to develop conceptual and empirical understanding of specific geopolitical events
- to deepen knowledge and understanding through independent study of a particular case study
- to facilitate critical reflection on the epistemology and politics of geopolitical events
The course draws on current research and writing. The course may cover different events from year to year, but recent examples include the 2003 invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq, the Ukraine crisis since 2013, Brexit, and disputes over oil and gas pipelines. The course explores specific events and the ways in which they have been brought into public and political life, for example via inquiries, investigations, memorials and art works.
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Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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