This course examines civil society engagement with national and international structures of governance and the challenges posed by civil society actors to regional and global institutions in the contemporary world order. The course is divided into two parts. The first part examines the theorization of the role of global civil society in world politics. It interrogates the concept of a “global civil society”, and explores key issues, such as democracy, power, and policy-making central to understanding the role of global civil society in global governance. The second part of the course focuses on civic actors and their roles in specific regimes or governance areas. It will examine the resources available to civic actors, the strategies employed, and the influence potential for civil society actors such as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), social movements, transnational advocacy networks and protest movements to influence world politics.