EARL N. PHILLIPS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
COURSE SYLLABUS
GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY: ECO/GBS 374-1
Professor: Jerry Fox, Ph.D.
Semester: Spring 2009
Credits: Three Semester Hours
Prerequisites: HST 102 & PSC 305 recommended, but not required.
Time & Location: TTh: 9:30 – 10:45 AM, Phillips 217
Office Hours: MTWThF 1-2PM
Phone/Email/Web: 841-4559; ; www.highpoint.edu/~jfox
Textbook: Introduction to International Political Economy,
by Balaam & Veseth
COURSE AGENDA: Course Topics consist of the following six subjects.
I. Overview and Political-Economic Ideologies, chapters 1-4, additional readings
Introduction, Definitions, Four Structures: Production, Finance, Security, Knowledge
Three Perspectives: Mercantilism/Neomercantilism, Economic Liberalism, Structuralism
II. International Trade, chapter 6, 11, 12, various articles
Brief History, Comparative Advantage, Competitive Advantage,
GATT/WTO, NAFTA/FTAA, EU, Other Trade Blocks (e.g., LAFTA, APEC, the Andean Group, ASEAN, Mercosur, Organization of African Unity),
Trade Issues Relating to Developed Countries,
Trade Issues Relating to Lesser Developed Countries, Trade Sanctions
Three Ideological Perspectives and International Trade
III. Global Monetary System, International Debt, chapters 7-8, various readings
Balance of Payments, International Finance
Managing Balance of Payments Deficits, Exchange Rate Determination
Bretton Woods--Rise and Fall, International Gold Standard
Role of the Dollar, SDRs, Post-Bretton Woods
International Finance Issues Relating to DCs and LDCs, LDC Debt Crisis
Three Ideological Perspectives and International Finance
IV. International Security, chapter 9
Cold War, Post-Cold War, North versus South, Vietnam, OPEC, Iraq,
International Terrorism, Three Ideological Perspectives and National Security
V. Foreign Aid and Technology Transfer, chapter 10, various articles
Types of Aid, Donor Fatigue, Motivations for Aid, Types of Technology,
Effects of Technology, Three Ideological Perspectives and Foreign Aid
Three Perspectives and Technology Transfer
VI. Miscellaneous Topics, selected chapters and readings
European Union, NAFTA, Japanese Political Economy
Pacific Basin, Transition Economies, Economic Implications of International Terrorism
MNCs, International Oil Industry, Hunger, Disease, Environment
Teaching Methods: Class discussions, newspaper and journal readings, internet research, computer lab work, informal presentations, videotape and DVD segments, lectures, short analytical papers, class group work, homework, class experiments, game theory exercises, exams, term paper.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Three unexcused absences may result in an involuntary withdrawal and the student may be dropped from the course.
Grading POLICY: Course grades are based on two midterms, comprehensive final, short analytical papers, term paper, homework, class work, participation, individual effort. The midterms and final exam consist of multiple-choice and essay questions. Course grades are based on the following criteria:
Requirements Percentage of
Course Grade Exam Dates
1. First midterm 20% Feb 17
2. Second midterm 20% Mar 31
3. Term Paper Project 20% Apr 30
4. Comprehensive final 20% Mon, May 4, 8:30AM
5. Homework, class work, effort 20%
short papers, class participation
Total: 100%
DISABILITIES ACCOMODATIONS: Students with documented disabilities who require academic accommodations should see the Director of Academic Services during the first week of classes.
Electronic Devises in the Classroom: Laptops and other computers should be used in the classroom for note taking and other teacher-assigned activities. Text messaging, web browsing or e-mailing should not occur during class time. Please do not accept phone calls or use your phone for picture taking or videos during class time. Any such activities during an exam will be considered as cheating.
Course Evaluations: All students should complete course evaluations in the week preceding final exams. These evaluations, which are delivered online, are an important part of High Point University’s assessment program. Your cooperation in completing the evaluation is greatly appreciated. As the end of the semester or academic session approaches, you will receive information from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment about how to complete the online evaluations.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All communications from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment will be sent to your High Point University e-mail account. Please be sure to check and maintain your account regularly.
Catalog Description:
A study of the interrelationship of economics and politics in the global system. Emphasis on public policy in areas such as trade, finance, security, foreign aid, MNCs, technology transfer, and the gap between rich and poor countries. Examination of the arguments for and against globalization by neo-mercantilists, structuralists and free-market thinkers.
Text and Other Materials:
Introduction to International Political Economy, by Ballam and Veseth
Videotape and DVD segments, computer lab work (spreadsheet analysis and internet research)
Course Binder consisting of readings, outlines, worksheets sample test questions, etc.
Overall Course Goals: The goal of this course is to provide students with a knowledge of the major topical areas of international politico-economic relations. The approach is historical and institutional in nature. The key subjects include international trade, international finance, international debt, international security, foreign aid, technology transfer, ideological perspectives and hegemony. The course is presented from both an international management perspective, as well as a social science perspective.
Measurable Objectives: As a result of this course, students should demonstrate proficiency in each of the following areas:
1. Recognize and apply the perspective of economic liberalism to current issues and problems in the global political economy. One or more essays and a short paper will be assigned relating to this objective.
2. Recognize and apply the perspective of neomercantilism to current issues and problems in the global political economy. One or more essays and a short paper will be assigned relating to this objective.
3. Recognize and apply the perspective of structuralism to current issues and problems in the global political economy. One or more essays and a short paper will be assigned relating to this objective.
4. Understand the politico-economic history, institutions and issues relating to international trade among rich and poor countries. This topic includes reference to regional trade blocks around the world (e.g., NAFTA/FTAA, EU, ASEAN, LAFTA, Andean Group, APEC, Organization of African Unity). An essay, short paper, class experiment, and internet research problem will be assigned relating to this objective.
5. Understand the politico-economic history, institutions and issues relating to international finance among rich and poor countries. Two essays and a class experiment will be assigned relating to this objective.
6. Understand the politico-economic history, institutions and issues relating to international security among rich and poor countries. One essay and a game theory exercise will be assigned relating to this objective.
7. Understand the politico-economic history, institutions and issues relating to foreign aid among rich and poor countries. One essay will be assigned relating to this objective.
8. Understand the politico-economic history, institutions and issues relating to technology transfer among rich and poor countries. One essay will be assigned relating to this objective.
9. Recognize and apply the theory of the hegemonic cycle to current issues and problems in the global political economy. One or more essays will be assigned relating to this objective.
10. Recognize the importance between economic performance and political stability in the national and international spheres. One essay will be assigned relating to this objective.
11. Understand the poltico-economic history of events that interconnect WWI, Great Depression, WWII, the Cold War and the post-Cold War period. One essay will be assigned relating to this objective.
12. Complete a term paper project on a global political economy subject
HONOR CODE: The HPU Honor Code expects all students to act in a manner so as not to infringe upon the rights and responsibilities of others. It is crucial to the development of a college student that one have the right to learn and prosper in a society free from fraudulence and dishonesty. It is the responsibility of each student to help maintain such a society. The High Point University Honor Code affirms that:
*Every student is honor bound to refrain from conduct which is unbecoming of a
university student and that brings discredit to the student and/or High Point University.
*Every student is honor bound to refrain from cheating.
*Every student is honor bound to refrain from collusion.
*Every student is honor bound to refrain from plagiarism.
*Every student has the right to report an Honor Code violation.
Full details of the High Point University Honor Code are found in the Student Handbook
2