Modern diplomacy requires an essential grasp of economic ideas and concepts, together with an appreciation of their application in a policy context. It also requires a higher level of understanding of the interconnection between local, national, and global features of the global economy. Foreign Office staff posted all over the world should be comfortable with these debates and should have the basic ability to converse using economic terminology with accuracy and a reasonable level of sophistication. The level equivalent would be undergraduate, but this programme presumes only competent numeracy with no economics or mathematical background.
The aims of the course are to give you a basic understanding of the main micro and macro economic concepts, and for you to be able to relate them to an international context. Hence there is a balance of three academic streams within one course structure. Designed in a practical and applied fashion, the course will explore the economic arguments behind key policy issues to give you a solid knowledge of the decision making process where it relates to economics.
The course will avoid a mathematical approach in favour of describing and discussing the conceptual nature of economic theory and practice. You will discuss and debate these concepts with the academic faculty and amongst yourselves in seminar-based formats, as well as learning from lectures and case studies. The course should provide you with the ability to understand the relevant economic issues in the media and assess their implications.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an official LSE Custom Programmes certificate.
Already enrolled? See the pre-course reading suggestions.