Module SGIA2301: GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA2301: GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

Prerequisites

• Any Level 1 SGIA module

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The aim of the module is to examine the development of the global political economy since 1945 with a special emphasis on the new trend and emerging issues in relation to economic globalisation, development and global co-ordination. Students will be introduced to the evolution of post Second World War global economic development and the institutionalisation of interstate economic cooperation, together with the examination of economic development and emerging global issues. We will look at the theoretical development and ways in which global political economy has been constructed. We endeavour to examine international trade, international finance, global production, international economic organizations, globalization, issues of global concern and the rising economic power of emerging economies.

Content

• Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:
• The politics of international economic relations
• The normative and theoretical foundations of economic activities
• The aspects of economic cooperation on the global, regional and non-state levels.
• The growth of economic activity since the Second World War and its implications on state and non-state actors.
• The nature of economic globalisation and its impacts on national economies and welfare states.
• The rising economic power of emerging economies
• Economic development and its current understanding

Learning Outcomes

• Developing the theoretical, historical and current understanding of the evolvement of global political economy through the assessment of various aspects in relation to global economic change and the politics of international economic relations. Economic powers and conflicts will be understood through the examination of international trade, international financial movement, global production, emerging economic powers of emerging economies and other global issues;
• Providing examples of the changing nature of state power and the influence of non-governmental, economic and actors and how these factors interact with the global economy;
• Introducing students to the development of domestic political economies in key regions (such as Europe, the United States, East and Asia and the developing world) in preparation for the more detailed case studies during their final year;
• Introducing students to the most recent developments in international political economy.

• The module will help students to acquire crucial subject-related skills, such as identifying and analysing key issues in relation to economic globalisation and variations of national political economies;
• Enabling them to utilise key conceptual approaches as well as cases of international economic relations for the analysis of the global political economy and regional/national/non-state economic development and cooperation;
• Embedding the analysis in the context of historical changes and current development in the global and the comparative national context;
• Making efficient use of a range of resources which include primary documents, statistics and simple economic tables and figures.

• Retrieve and utilise resources they have been directed to and demonstrate written competence in their understanding;
• Demonstrate their ability to assess the suitability and quality of resources for research purposes and use this knowledge under examination conditions;
• Review, reinforce and integrate knowledge independently and within time constraints;
• Demonstrate these and the above acquisitions in written form under pressure of time and without supporting materials.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Formal teaching and learning focus on lectures and tutorials.
• Lectures are designed to offer both formal instruction in appropriate theoretical and factual aspects of the topics under consideration, and to direct students towards key areas of academic dispute, controversy and debate for further exploration. They therefore make a significant contribution to the acquisition of subject specific knowledge and understanding and provide a resource which students need to use appropriately and effectively in the development of written and oral work.
• The seminars offer the opportunity for the development of subject specific skills via description, analysis and assessment of appropriate material. They also contribute to the acquisition of knowledge through the exchange of information and ideas that takes place in these sessions. Each student is expected to lead one seminar session as a discussant by offering a short presentation which highlights key points and issues to be introduced into a dynamic group discussion. This will be based on a thorough review of key secondary and primary sources.
• A combination of essays and an exam as an assessment strategy test the ability to develop coherent and consistent arguments, reach informed and reasoned conclusions and to produce well-structured and organised work. It further requires developing the the capacity to work under time constraints and to deploy recalled knowledge in a focused and effective manner.
• Formative assessment via essay and presentation will offer students the opportunity to gain feedback on general essay-writing skills and issues of organising, utilising and structuring material and developing appropriate approaches to deploying material in support of analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One tutorial presentation and supervision of a group discussion. One 1,500 word essay.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University