module specification

GI4054 - Global Wealth and Inequality: An Introduction to International Political Economy (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module title Global Wealth and Inequality: An Introduction to International Political Economy
Module level Certificate (04)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Social Sciences and Professions
Total study hours 150
 
114 hours Guided independent study
36 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Other 40%   Submission of a sample of class work, whether as a result of groupwork or individual work.
Attendance Requirement 10%   Attendance means, apart from the physical presence in class, an active participation in debates, discussions & classwork
Coursework 50%   Text commentary and answering three questions on the text
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Summer studies North Tuesday Morning
Autumn semester North Monday Morning

Module summary

This module introduces general debates in International Political Economy (IPE) about the relationship between politics and economics that shape our understanding of global issues and challenges. If focuses on how these global issues and challenges are addressed by relevant international actors and bodies and its consequences in terms of the distribution of global wealth and the persistence of inequality. Students will learn different theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of International Political Economy, the International Trade regime, and the main debates on International Development.

This module will provide students with introductory knowledge about the structure of global society with a focus on the economic dimension and the unequal distribution of wealth.

Prior learning requirements

None; Available for Study Abroad students

Syllabus

The syllabus will include:

1. International Political Economy: Concepts and Perspectives (LO 1, 5)
2. Classical Approaches to IPE I: Liberalism and neoliberalism (LO 1, 2, 3)
3. Classical Approaches to IPE II Keynesianism and Marxism (LO 1,2, 3)
4. Contemporary Approaches to IPE: Environmentalism and the green economy; Feminist Approaches (LO 1,2,3)
5. Economic Globalisation (LO 2,3, 4,5)
6. Growth and the International Trade Regime (LO 2, 3, 4,5)
7. Power and Inequality: Development (LO 2, 4)
8. Development Theories (LO 1, 5)
9. Aid and Development (LO 2,3, 4,5)

Learning and teaching

Sessions are made up of one hour lecture, one hour class activity and a seminar and workshops on specific topics. Students are expected to attend the lecture and engage in relevant discussions related to the topic, raise questions and demand clarifications. The seminars are meant for students to freely discuss a given topic. In addition, two to three workshops consisting of two hours each will be run within this 15-week period and decided with beforehand with students. The workshops will imply a reorganisation of the class activity and seminar on that teaching day. The two-hour workshops will involve a class activity, whether individual or in a group and will involve the submission of a piece of work that will form part of the student’s assessment.

Students are expected to engage with the Virtual Learning Environment; be able to retrieve ‘posts’ from the lectures and supplementary teaching materials, and handle information from Internet sources, journals and books (enhancing academic literacy).  Students acquire knowledge of issues, theories and themes under discussion. Classwork is a guided activity that enhances a broad understanding of key concepts by reflecting on specific aspects or developments related to the theme under discussion. Classwork contributes to group-work and the acquisition of communication (oral and written) skills in a context of higher education. Seminar discussions around a main question enhance communication and problem-solving skills and ‘real world’ group-work. Reading and the use of other media-related formats as a common exercise for reflection in the classroom develops critical and conceptual skills, as well as numeracy and analysis. Written and formative feedback aims to empower students, develop their written expression, and study skills, and gain through self-reflection.

Learning outcomes

In this module you will:

1. Learn main theoretical debates on IPE
2. Gain an understanding the contemporary international economic regime and the globalization process
3. Acquire basic skills about reading and understanding macroeconomic data published by relevant organisations.
4. Develop skills for comparative analysis
5. Develop writing and communicating skills

Bibliography