PC4S034 - Geopolitics of Natural Resources 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PC4S034
Module Title: Geopolitics of Natural Resources
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Policing
Module Leader: Christian Kaunert, Helen Martin
Module Team: Mike Edwards
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100486 - policing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

Explicate key concepts and terms in geopolitics and relate them to the analysis of the Powers of the International System

Critically evaluate the evolution of geopolitics throughout the 20th Century and the relationship between types of natural resources and the emergence of geopolitical conflicts.

Content Summary

Introduction to Geopolitics

  • What is Geopolitics?
  • Foreign policy and natural resources
  • Great powers and the balance of power

The Evolution of Geopolitics

  • Geopolitical Schools of thought
  • Key thinkers

Geopolitical Conflicts and Natural Resources

  • Oil; gas; potable water; arable land; fish stocks; biodiversity; minerals

Aggravating and mitigating factors for geopolitical conflicts

  • Economic, societal, geopolitical, institutional and environmental factors

Geopolitical Interests and Practices of established Powers

  • Europe and the Neighbourhood
  • United States

Geopolitical Interests and Practices of emerging Powers

  • China
  • India
  • Brazil

Geopolitical Interests and Practices

  • Wales
  • The United Kingdom

Geopolitical issues related to natural Resources

  • Arctic natural resources
  • EU dependence on Russia’s oil and gas
  • Israel/ Palestine conflict
  • Climate Change

Emerging Geopolitical issues related to natural Resources

  • Cyber security of critical energy infrastructures
  • Exogeopolitics and the Moon

Other Geopolitical Issues

  • Failed states
  • Migration
  • Global pandemics
  • Nuclear weapons programmes
  • Maritime piracy
  • The Politics of austerity in Europe
  • The War on Drugs

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Seminar 10
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 95
Formative Assessment - Independent 1
Active/Simulation Based 4
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically apply a high level of contextualisation relating to the foreign policy practices and powers in the International System
LO2 Through empirical research, critically evaluate insights from national and international policies and case studies.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 Essay relating to the foreign policy practices and powers in the International System 0 4000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay (CW) 1

Reading List

Simon, L. (2014). Geopolitical Change, Grand Strategy and European Security. Palgrave.

Baylis, J. and S. Smith (2016), eds, The Globalization of World Politics. An Introduction to International Relations, 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Collins, A. (2014), ed., Contemporary Security Studies. 4th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press).

Kaunert, C. and K. Zwolski (2013): The EU as a Global Security Actor – a comprehensive analysis beyond CFSP and JHA (with K. Zwolski), (Basingstoke: Palgrave; Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics),

Supplementary Reading:

Kaunert, C. and S. Leonard (2013): European Security, Terrorism, and Intelligence, (Basingstoke: Palgrave; Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics series)

Dannreuther, R. (2014), 4th ed. International Security: The Contemporary Agenda. Cambridge: Polity.