SUM4029 – Global Governance for Sustainable Development
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides a thorough overview of the theory and practice of global governance, emphasizing issue areas central to sustainable development. We critically discuss how norms, rules, institutions, and practices that structure relations between states and non-state actors contribute to solve pressing global problems in specific issue areas in the absence of global government. We further learn about the main obstacles to reaching such solutions, and how progress may occur. The course gives insight into to the main theoretical perspectives on global governance and their foundation in theories of world order. It seeks to contextualize the emergence of the concept of global governance in the post-Cold War era, and discuss recent developments in the light of a new global distribution of power, resources and struggles for domination. The course moreover provides in depth insight into the main actors of global governance (including states, inter-governmental organizations, private companies, and non-governmental organizations) and the relationship between them. It also provides in-depth empirical knowledge of current processes of global governance in the areas of health, natural resource management, energy, climate change, finance, nutrition and food production, poverty reduction and economic redistribution.
Learning outcome
At the end of this course, students:
have advanced knowledge about different theories of global governance and how they are embedded in different historical moments and political projects.
thoroughly understand the main actors and institutions of importance to global governance for sustainable development. Understand the obstacles to and premises for the reaching of solutions to pressing global problems of climate change, energy, health, natural resource management, economic redistribution and poverty reduction and democratization.
Admission to the course
You may apply to be a guest student at SUM. Please follow these instructions.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
A bachelors degree.
Recommended previous knowledge
Specialization equivalent to at least 80 ECTS within subjects from the humanities or social sciences, sustainable development, or equivalent relevant subjects.
Teaching
Attendance in lectures and seminars is mandatory, and active participation in class is both expected and encouraged. You must have an attendance of 80% to be eligible to take the exam.
Examination
4-hour written exam. Assessment guide.
Examination support material
Students may use a language translation dictionary at this exam.
- Language translation dictionaries may be used in examinations. A language translation dictionary is defined as a dictionary that simply gives equivalent words or phrases in two languages, without further explanatory text or description.
- You may bring a maximum of two dictionaries.
- Electronic dictionaries are not to be used in examinations.
Dictionaries must be unmarked and free of notations.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.