EU482 Half Unit
Europe in World Trade
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Robert Basedow
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in European and International Politics and Policy, MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World, MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Fudan) and MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
To apply for a place, ALL students should submit a statement via LSE for You outlining your specific reasons for applying, how it will benefit your academic/career goals, and how you meet any necessary pre-requisites (maximum 200 words).
The first round of offers will be made from 12-noon on Friday 26 September. The final deadline for applications is 12-noon of Friday of Autumn Term week 2.
For queries contact: ei@lse.ac.uk
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and demand is typically very high. Priority is given to students from the European Institute, so students from outside this department may not get a place.
Course content
After decades of globalisation and trade integration, the world economy faces significant challenges. Rising geopolitical tensions, pandemics, and populism have put considerable pressures on the international trade regime and global economic governance. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge to understand and analyse Europe's role in the global economy and trade regime. It familiarises students with the workings of EU trade and foreign economic policy and the World Trade Organisation. It further introduces students to different substantive trade domains including the political economy of trade in goods and services, trade defence instruments, the links between trade, development and the environment, the diffusion and design of preferential trade agreements, international investment policy and investor-state dispute settlement as well as sources of regulatory power in world markets known as the 'Brussels effect'.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 10 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
1.5 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
A review session will be held at the start of the Spring Term to prepare for the online assessment.
Formative assessment
Presentation
Essay
Indicative reading
- Gstöhl, Sieglinde, and Dirk De Bièvre, The Trade Policy of the European Union. Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2018.
- Hoekman, Bernard, and Michael Kostecki. The Political Economy of the World Trading System. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
- Martin, Lisa, ed. The Oxford Handbook of the Political Economy of International Trade. Oxford University Press, 2015.
- Woolcock, Stephen. European Union Economic Diplomacy: The Role of the EU in External Economic Relations. Global Finance Series. Burlington: Ashgate, 2011.
- Grady, Jo, and Chris Grocott, eds. The Continuing Imperialism of Free Trade: Developments, Trends and the Role of Supranational Agents. Routledge Frontiers of Political Economy. London and New York: Routledge, 2019.
Assessment
Written test (100%)
The written test for this course will be administered via Moodle. Questions will be made available at a set date/time and students will be given a set period in the ST to complete the answers to questions and upload their responses back into Moodle.
Key facts
Department: European Institute
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 67
Average class size 2024/25: 17
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication