Admission requirements
This course is designed for the minor Global Affairs. It is not possible to follow single courses of this minor. You need to be enrolled in Usis for the minor to be accepted to this course. There are 200 places open for registration, on a first come first serve basis, where LDE students are given priority.
This course is also open for inbound exchange students if they wish to take the entire minor Global Affairs. Exchange students must be admitted by the FGGA International Office prior to the start of the minor; priority will be given to direct exchange partners of FGGA. For more information about the application procedure for exchange students, please contact the FGGA International Office
Description
This course begins by exploring the concept of 'Geo-economics' and its connection to economic diplomacy. We will examine how countries systematically employ economic tools to achieve their geopolitical objectives. Examples include China's Belt and Road Initiative, the non-aligned policies and strategies of countries in the Global South, the role of Sovereign Wealth Funds in resource-rich states, trade and investment policies, commodity restrictions and financial and economic sanctions.
In addition to studying and discussing scientific sources – the theory - we will also focus on the practice. Which countries are successful when it comes to Geo-economics and which ones are not or less successful? For example, what could Europe do differently or better to achieve its goal to become strategically more autonomous in the areas of security/defence, energy and industry?
Course objectives
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Geo-economics and proficiently apply its principles to analyse global economic and political interactions.
Examine the intricate ways in which economic policies, political strategies, and security concerns intersect, and evaluate their collective impact on global affairs.
Assess the importance of food, water and energy resources, raw materials, and monetary and financial governance in shaping international relations and influencing global power dynamics.
Identify and critically evaluate significant research and theoretical contributions in the field of international political economy, and comprehend their relevance to contemporary Geo-economic issues.
Utilise theoretical knowledge to analyse and interpret real-world case studies, providing insights into the practical application of Geo-economic concepts.
Develop and present well-informed strategic recommendations for policymakers or organizations, grounded in a thorough analysis of Geo-economic factors and their potential consequences.
Timetable
On the front page of the Global Affairs study guide on the right side you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of instruction
The course will be delivered through a combination of lectures and guest lectures. The total study load for the course is 140 hours, distributed as follows:
21 hours for attending lectures
119 hours dedicated to studying and completing assignments
Active participation in lectures, discussions, and exercises is mandatory to receive a grade. Students are permitted to miss one lecture; however, exceeding this limit may result in expulsion from the course.
The material for the final examination will not only encompass the scientific articles included in the syllabus but will also heavily draw from the information presented and discussed during the seven lectures.
The course will feature a highly interactive format, providing ample opportunities for questions and discussions. Additionally, the lecturer will frequently share relevant insights and anecdotes from his own international work experience in the field of geo-economics.
There will also be a number of special senior guest speakers from politics/government, business and civil society.
Assessment method
Mid-term assignment
25% of total grade
Re-sit not possible
Grade must be compensated
Final exam
75% of total grade
Re-sit possible
Re-sit will take the same form
Grade must be 5.50 or higher to pass the course
Students will also be permitted to re-sit the 75% final exam if they have a calculated overall course grade lower than 5.50 or with permission of the Board of Examiners. There is no re-sit for the mid-term, which needs to be compensated.
Late hand in penalty: 0,5 minus per day, and after seven days we do not accept papers any longer.
In the case of written assessment methods, the examiner can always initiate a follow-up conversation with the student to establish whether the learning objectives have been met.
The Course and Examination Regulation of Security Studies and the Rules and Regulation of the Board of Examiners of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs apply.
Reading list
TBA on Brightspace
Registration
Registration via MyStudymap or uSis is possible from TBA after registration for the entire minor. Register for every course via MyStudymap or uSis. Some courses of the minor have a limited number of participants, so register on time.
Leiden University uses Brightspace as its online learning management system. After enrolment for the course in MyStudymap you will be automatically enrolled in the Brightspace environment of this course.
More information on registration via MyStudymap can be found on this page.
Please note: guest-/contract-/exchange students do not register via MyStudymap but via uSis.
Contact
globalaffairs@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
All sessions will be in English.
Essays need to be written in English.
This course takes place in The Hague.
Please note that the re-sits of this minor will be organised in January.