Department of Government & International Studies

POLS 3110

International Political Economy

Prerequisites:GIS－

POLS 1510 Foundation of Political Science,

POLS 1120 Introduction to Political Economyand

POLS 2130 Foundation of International Relations

European Studies－

POLS 1510 Foundation of Political Scienceand

POLS 2160 European Politics and Society: French Political and Government System or

POLS 2170 European Politics and Society: German Political Systems and Society or

POLS 2180 Government and Politics of the United Statesor

POLS 2190 Government and Politics of the United Kingdom

Duration/Frequency:
3 hours/week / Credits/Units:
3
Language of Tuition:
English / Number of Contact Hours:
42 (3 X 14 weeks)
Individual Study Time Required:
42 hours(3 X 14 weeks) / Total Assumed Work Load:
6 hours/week

Course Description/Aims and Objectives:

This course examines the intertwining and interaction of economics (wealth creation) and politics (political power) in international and global affairs. The nineteenth century term “political economy” is used here because economic and political forces are always enmeshed with each other. The course provides students with an overview of theories and issues of international political economy. In the first part of the course, we discuss the major theoretical perspectives (economic liberalism, economic nationalism, and Marxist theory, etc.) that contend for recognition in international political economy. In the second part, we focus on substantive policy issues that concern the operations of international political economy. These issues include international trade and monetary system, foreign investment and multinational corporations, foreign aid and debt, and North-South relations. They will be examined against the backdrop of the changing global political order.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) / Competencies:

Knowledge

By the end of this course, students will be able to

  1. Identifydifferent theoretical approaches to international political economy;
  2. Identify major IPE issues that confront contemporary world;
  3. Describe major international institutions and organization, such as IMF, WTO, etc, designed to deal with IPE issues, and their roles; and
  4. Analyze the role of the nation-states in international political economy.

Skills

By the end of this course, students will be able to

  1. Summarize the theoretical perspectives on international political economy;
  2. Describe to the evolution of the IPE system;
  3. Analyze the roles and functions of IPE institutions; and
  4. Assess state-to-state relations in the context of the globalized economy.

Attitudes

By the end of this course, students will be able to

  1. Discover power relations that underlie international political economy;
  2. Appraise the controversies over the role of international organizations, such as IMF, WTO, World Bank;
  3. Reflect on the impact of global capitalism on less developed countries; and
  4. Critically assess the role of global capitalism in world development.

Course Content:

  1. What is International Political Economy (IPE)?

  1. Contending Perspectives on IPE: Economic Nationalism, Liberalism, and Marxism

  1. The International Monetary System

  1. The Politics of International Trade: From GATT to WTO

  1. Foreign Investment and Multinational Corporations

  1. Foreign Aid and Third World Debt

  1. North-South Relations

  1. Developmental Strategies

Teaching & Learning Activities (TLAs):

TLAs / ILOs addressed
1. Seminars
The seminars will examine the intertwining and interaction of economics (wealth creation) and politics (political power) in international and global affairs. / 1 to 12
2. Tutorial discussions/ Presentations
Tutorial sessions will be held to discuss the major theoretical perspectives (economic liberalism, economic nationalism, and Marxist theory, etc.) that contend for recognition in international political economy. / 5 to 12

Assessment Methods (AMs):

AMs / Weighting / ILOs addressed / Description of Assessment Tasks
Active participation in tutorial discussions throughout the semester / 30% / 1 to 12 / Students must attend all tutorials and try to be punctual. All students are expected to read the relevant readings before the tutorials. They should ask questions, give comments to the presenters, and participate in the discussion.
Term paper / 20% / 1 to 12 / Students have to submit a term paper toassess state-to-state relations in the context of the globalized economy.
Final examination / 50% / 1 to 8, 11, 12 / The questions will be essay-type questions testing students’ understanding of the theoretical perspectives on international political economy.

References:

Theodore Cohn, Global Political Economy (Longman, 2006)

Robert Gilpin, Global Political Economy (PrincetonUniversity press, 2001)

Robert Gilpin, The Political Economy of International Relations (Princeton University Press, 1987).

David Balaam and Michael Veseth, Introduction to International Political Economy. (Prentice Hall, 1996).

*More readings will be assigned during the class

Syllabus prepared by: Prof. Feng CHEN / September 2010

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