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Department of Political Science
Politics of the Global Economy, POLS 2321(802) Fall 2024
Course Description
This is a course in International Political Economy (IPE), an interdisciplinary subject that studies interlinkage between economics and politics at a global level. To state simply, it is about addressing two kinds of questions-(a) How do economic relations between countries influence domestic and international politics? (b) How do political relations between nations influence international economic policies?
The course is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the history and evolution of the current world order with discussion on various theories in economics and political science. The second part focuses on current issues in IPE related to globalization and international trade, economic development, democratization and development in less developed countries, climate change, global governance, security, gender etc.
General Requirements: Course or Test: POLS 1301 Minimum Grade of C-. May not be taken concurrently. Or Course or Test: POLS 1931 Minimum Grade of C-. May not betaken concurrently.
Key Goals and Learning Outcomes
This course aims to equip students with theoretical and analytical tools that will enable them to understand the drivers of current global economic and political order. A few of the issues that will be examined in the course are -
- What explains the rising backlash against globalization in many developed countries?
- Why does poverty continue to persist in large parts of the world?
- How do global trade imbalances between the United States and China affect international politics?
- What are the implications and causes of rising economic inequalities within and between countries?
- How do current patterns of global production and consumption affect climate change?
The analytical tools covered in the class extend well beyond the scope of IPE. Students will:
- Learn to know how to use IPE theories and analytical frameworks to analyze important developments shaping the contemporary world.
- By the end of the course, students should find most charts or graphs published in the Financial Times or the Economist easy to read!
- Effectively communicate complex ideas.
- Find it easier to construct fact-based arguments, present a hypothesis, support it with evidence and a critically assess one’s own thinking.
Main textbook
RobertO’Brien & Marc Williams, Global Political Economy, 5th, or 6th Edition, (Palgrave MacMillan 2016/ Red Globe Press 2020). Please go to the following URL for book purchase links by course: www.tuj.ac.jp/ug/books. You may purchase the book from Amazon and other vendors or go to the TUJ library to use areserved copy.
Students may obtain the textbook from any vendor they choose, or from the Temple University Library, if available. The cost of the textbook is approximately ¥5,800 for the 6th Edition.
Grading
The grade for this course will be determined according to the following formula:
- Class participation 20%: Class presence and participation points are given to encourage your active class participation and discussion. The evaluation criteria consist of four categories- class attendance, interaction, listening and responsiveness (responding to the instructor). You can get a perfect score if you regularly come to class and actively contribute to the class discussions. You are expected to send abrief email tome in case you plan to miss the lecture. Repeated late arrivals can lower your grade.
- Class presentation 20%: Presentations will be graded for their content, the quality of preparation, and the extent to which the presentation engages in the class in a meaningful discussion.
- Quizzes 20%: There will be a total of 3 announced quizzes covering the class’s relevant readings. Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
- Mid-term exam 20%: This 90-minutes exam will consist of multiple choice/short answer questions and three essay questions.
- Final exam 20%: Final exam will consist of two sections namely, (I) multiple choice/short answer questions and (II) three essay questions.
Letter grades for the entire course will be assigned as follows:
92.50% and higher = A 90.00 - 92.49% = A-
87.50% - 89.99% = B+ 82.50% - 87.49% = B
80.00% - 82.49% = B- 77.50% - 79.99% = C+
72.50% - 77.49% = C 70.00% - 72.49% = C-
67.50% - 69.99% = D+ 62.50% - 67.49% = D
60.00% - 62.49% = D- 59.99% and lower = F