Global Studies: Cultures and Organizations in International Relations from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course will be of particular interest to business and international relations students, professionals who work in global businesses, IGOs and NGOs experts and negotiators who are or may be confronted to intercultural experiences. However it doesn’t require any previous experience and anyone with an interest in global politics and culture can take part. If you are taking this course as part of the International Relations program for credit, you will be expected to spend 10 hours per week studying this course. If you are not taking the course for credit, 6 hours per week is expected for basic understanding.

Topics Covered

Universalism and authenticity
Modernity and tradition
Conflicting ideologies
Pretended or true cultural distinctions
Going alone or getting along
Intercultural negotiations
Waves of democratisation
Waves of deregulation
Setbacks: non linear change
Nationalism, anti-colonialism
Back to the past: the world in 1925
A step towards the future: the World in 2025

Reviews summary

Global cultures and international relations insights

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive overview of global studies, effectively blending cultural insights with organizational dynamics in international relations. Many found the content, particularly on intercultural negotiations and cultural distinctions, to be incredibly practical and highly relevant for roles in NGOs, IGOs, and global corporations. Learners appreciate how the instructor's explanations are clear, making complex ideas accessible even without a prior IR background. While providing a solid foundational understanding, some advanced learners or professionals seeking deeper practical applications or more in-depth organizational behavior insights might find it more theoretical or introductory.

Opinions vary on the balance between theory and direct application.

"Disappointed. I felt the course focused too much on theory and not enough on practical applications."

"I work in a fast-paced environment and needed more actionable insights into intercultural communication in real business scenarios."

"The content on intercultural negotiations was incredibly practical and relevant for my work in an NGO."

Covers a wide range of topics with logical flow.

"I appreciated the balance between historical context (1925 world) and forward-looking analysis (2025)."

"The structure was logical, and the weekly modules were manageable."

"It offered a unique perspective on global affairs, blending cultural insights with organizational dynamics."

Explanations are clear, making complex topics easy to understand.

"The instructor's explanations were clear, and the case studies really brought the concepts to life."

"As someone without a background in IR, I found it accessible."

"The instructors did a good job making complex ideas understandable."

Course provides relevant, actionable insights for global roles.

"The content on intercultural negotiations was incredibly practical and relevant for my work in an NGO."

"This truly helped me prepare for my role in a global corporation."

"The discussions on 'pretended or true cultural distinctions' were eye-opening."

Some readings felt dated, though core concepts remain relevant.

"My main suggestion would be to update some of the reading materials as they felt a little dated in parts, though the core concepts are still relevant."

Best for foundational understanding, may lack advanced depth.

"I felt the lectures sometimes lacked a bit of depth, especially for someone already familiar with basic IR concepts."

"I was hoping for more advanced material on organizational behavior in global settings."

"It's a good introductory course, but might not challenge experienced professionals enough."

Career center

Learners who complete Global Studies: Cultures and Organizations in International Relations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: