GV314-6-SP-CO:
International Political Economy

The details
2024/25
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
26 April 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA L150 Political Economics

Module description

Politicians, journalists, and activists use the term "globalisation" to refer to a wide range of economic, political, and social phenomena, from increasing global trade, deeper integration of financial markets, rising foreign investment, or reduced transportation and communication costs, to the emergence of global cultural trends.

This module examines the dynamics associated with the global integration of the world economy from a political economy perspective. Throughout the module, we will address the question "How do international/global economic factors (trade, finance, etc.) affect domestic politics, and how do domestic politics affect the international economy".

Students are expected to come prepared to class. This means reading the assigned material, taking notes about main ideas and/or questions, and actively engaging in in-class discussions. The quality of the module largely depends on students' participation and engagement.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To introduce theories from international political economy (IPE) to explore the politics behind globalisation.

  • To provide students with the opportunity to use analytical categories to explain the most salient trends in the global economy and how they constrain (or not) domestic politics.

  • To work on strengthening the following skills: critical thinking (based on careful reading of class materials, and their application to cases and examples), argumentation, and written and oral presentations.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Identify the main approaches, concepts, and methods employed in IPE.

  2. Identify and explain key concepts in IPE.

  3. Use theories to explain the causes and effects of international trade, international capital flows, monetary relations, and the main debates around globalisation.

  4. Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills when analysing political phenomena.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This is a 10-week module based on one two-hour seminar. Classes 9 and 10 will have a different format and will be based on the discussion of students' presentations.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Contemporary Reactions paper  20/02/2025  35% 
Coursework   Contemporary issues group presentation  06/03/2025  25% 
Coursework   Take home open book test  20/03/2025  40% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Nicole Baerg, email: nicole.baerg@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Nicole Baerg
Please contact govquery@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
No
Yes

External examiner

Dr Stefano Pagliari
City, University of London
Senior Lecturer in International Politics
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
Government

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.