IR204      Half Unit
International Political Economy

This information is for the 2016/17 session.

Teacher responsible

Mr Martin Hearson ALD 1.12

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Economics, BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and History and BSc in Politics and International Relations. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Students from other degree programmes will be admitted by permission of the Course Coordinator, including BSc Economic History

Pre-requisites

It is strongly recommended that students have completed Economics A (EC100) or The Internationalisation of Economic Growth, 1870 to the present day (EH101).

Course content

The course examines the role of power and politics in international economic relations. Besides international structural factors, it emphasises the role of domestic political interests and their influence over foreign economic policies. Major approaches covered include historical views on international political economy, systemic theories of international cooperation, interest groups politics and domestic institutions. The course provides an overview and explanation of the international monetary and trade systems since 1944. It also discusses current debates on regionalism and preferential trade, European monetary integration, the political roots of financial crises, globalisation and the retreat of the state, and environmental protection.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 1 hour of lectures and 1 hour of classes in the ST.

Additionally, there will be a 10 hours lecture series "An Intro to Economics" as part of the course.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

Students write one essay of a maximum length of 1,500 words.

Indicative reading

Basic references are: D Baldwin, Economic Statecraft; J Frieden & D Lake, International Political Economy; T Oatley, International Political Economy; J Ravenhill, Global Political Economy; S Strange, States and Markets; A Walter & G Sen, Analyzing the Global Political Economy. A detailed reading list will be given at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.

In the examination two questions are chosen from eight.

Key facts

Department: International Relations

Total students 2015/16: 38

Average class size 2015/16: 10

Capped 2015/16: Yes (60)

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

PDAM skills

  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills