Module SGIA40U30: Global Political Economy

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA40U30: Global Political Economy

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• The aim of this module is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the scope and dynamics of global political economy, focusing on the institutions, frameworks, and power relations that shape the global capitalist system. Along the way, students will acquire the analytical tools needed to examine the institutional and geopolitical arrangements structuring global economic policies.

Content

• This module will address the historical foundations of the global political economy, examining key theoretical frameworks that explain the evolution of today’s economic system and its impact on global power relations. Students will explore diverse perspectives on how economic, political, and social forces interact to shape the structure of the global economy.
• This includes: the interplay of state and market forces, patterns of economic influence, global trade and finance dynamics, as well as the geopolitical drivers that underpin global economic policies.
• By engaging with these themes, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing the shape and direction of the global economic landscape, as well as the present and future challenges confronting the system.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module, students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:
• an advanced knowledge of the major theories that explain the origins, development, and impact of the global political economy;
• an advanced understanding of the political and economic drivers of globalisation, and their influence on contemporary economic systems.

• By the end of the module, students should be able to:
• critically analyse complex topics within Global Political Economy and related fields, leveraging both directed and independent learning;
• independently conduct research within the field, integrating theoretical and empirical evidence;
• assess qualitative and quantitative evidence to support arguments in global economic and political analysis.

• Students will also develop key skills that support advanced study, such as:
• Independent thought in analysing and critiquing existing scholarship on the subject area and in evaluating its contribution;
• Advanced ability to seek out and use relevant data sources, including electronic and bibliographic sources, as well as primary sources, and policy reports;
• Effective written communication of research and policy applications;

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

• Students will engage in a blend of self-directed study, lectures, and seminars.
• Each week, students will attend a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar. Lectures will introduce key theoretical concepts, historical context, and empirical data relevant to the study of global political economy. The content will be adapted to accommodate the diverse academic backgrounds of students and ensure that they are prepared for seminar discussions.
• Seminars provide a collaborative space to further explore lecture material, encourage deeper engagement, and allow students to seek guidance on specific areas, such as additional readings. Seminars also develop students' skills in research, communication, theoretical analysis, and argumentation. Class discussions foster independent learning by encouraging students to engage in background reading, while offering opportunities for peer feedback and lecturer input on their ideas.
• Students will be assessed through a 1,500-word reflective document (30%) and a 3000-word essay (70%).
• The reflective document assesses how students from different backgrounds make progress in their study of the global political economy. The aim is to produce a document capturing how their thinking on global political economy issues has evolved along the way.
• Students will be asked to record thoughts on what they have learned every week into a portfolio. These observations can serve as the basis for their reflective document.
• The essay formally tests skills of synthesis, analysis and critical evaluation with reference to material drawn from the module. It tests students’ ability to formulate complex arguments in articulate and structured English, within the discursive conventions and genres of academic writing.
• The formative work will consist of a 1500-word essay. The formative essay will help students to prepare for the summative essay and hone their understanding of the key elements in the material. Students will receive written feedback on formative work to enable them to assess their understanding of the material.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1500-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