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PL10877: Introduction to international political economy

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: ES 50%, EX 50%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (ES 50%)
  • Exam (EX 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: Students successfully completing this unit will be able to demonstrate:
1. a knowledge of different theoretical approaches to International Political Economy;
2. knowledge and understanding of debates surrounding globalisation in the international economy, its problems and implications.

Aims: The unit provides an introduction to the study of International Political Economy from a theoretically informed perspective. The changing nature of the international system in the context of globalisation produces consequences for many areas of the global economy and the unit is aimed at addressing these transformations in the light of theoretical debates; one of the most significant is the paradox of regionalisation within globalisation. The unit will therefore:
* provide an overview of theoretical approaches to international political economy;
* address the main issues in the global political economy, from financial markets to exchange rate crises and from mass migration to international trade arrangements;
* introduce the paradox of regionalisation within globalisation by looking at the development of three macro regions: the Americas, Europe and Africa; and the Middle East.

Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit.

Content: 1. What is IPE.
2. Neo-institutionalist approaches to IPE.
3. Neo-realist approaches to IPE.
4. Critical approaches to IPE.
5. The debate on globalisation.
6. The paradox of regionalisation within globalisation: The case of Europe.
7. The paradox of regionalisation within globalisation: the case of the Americas 1.
8. The paradox of regionalisation within globalisation: the case of the Americas 2.
9. The paradox of marginalisation within globalisation: The case of the Middle East and Northern Africa.
10. Globalisation and the instability of financial markets: determining exchange rate credibility.

Programme availability:

PL10877 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 1)

PL10877 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio German) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB47 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB48 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB46 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (German) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.