Description
Objective: 1. Students will deepen their understanding of the main theories and themes that structure the study of International Political Economy. They will acquire knowledge of both perennial IPE debates as well as cutting edge issues.
Objective: 2. Students can expect to hone their critical reading, writing and presentation skills. They will also learn how to write a policy brief on a specific IPE topic.
This is an advanced Master’s level course on International Political Economy (IPE). In very broad terms, IPE is the study of the changing relationships between states, markets, and societies around the globe. It also represents a confluence of approaches: namely, political science, sociology, and economics. In this course, students will deepen their understanding of key IPE theories, approaches, issues, and debates. We begin by examining IPE’s main theoretical toolkit and the debates that have structured theoretical innovation in the field. Theories covered included: liberalism, mercantilism, and structuralism as well as constructivism, postmodernism, and feminism. With these theories in mind, students will examine central IPE issues like the current economic crisis, global governance and transnational financial regulation, the diffusion of state authority and the rise of private authority at the international level, the role of international organizations in IPE, and how “emerging economies” and the changing face of regionalism are reshaping the global economy.
Methods of Instruction
This course meets twice a week for two hours each time. Each session will consist of both a short lecture component and a seminar component. In the lecture component I will briefly discuss background information relevant to the required readings. The seminar component allows time for class discussion. Active student participation is imperative. Students are expected to come to class not only having read the required material but also having given it some critical consideration and thought.
Study Material
To be announced.
Examination
Presentation 20%
Critical reflection paper (x2) 30%
Policy Brief 40%
Policy Brief Workshop 10%
Schedule
Tuesday 2 September until 21 October, 11.00-13.00 hrs in 1A12
Tuesday 16 September, 11.00-13.00 hrs in 1A11
Tuesday 23 September, 11.00-13.00 hrs in 1A22
Tuesday 7 and 14 October, 11.00-13.00 hrs in 5B16
Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 13.00-15.00 in 1A03 (except 9 October in 5A29)
Thursday 23 October, 13.00-15.00 hrs in SA23
Admission requirements
For MIRD students only.