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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 360"
COURSE NAME: "The Political Economy of Globalization"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2023
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Bogdan Gabriel Popescu
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: Junior Standing; Recommended: EC 201, EC 202
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces students to International Political Economy (IPE), the branch of international relations studying the interdependencies between politics, economics, and society on the world stage. The course critically examines the major theoretical perspectives (i.e. Mercantilism, Liberalism, and Marxism), and the major subject areas of IPE: global trade, international monetary relations, debt and financial crises, and three largest international financial institutions (the WTO, the IMF, and the World Bank). The course will also address such topics as: the increasing relevance of India and China, the changing trends of global investment flows, and the role of the Middle East for oil production and democratization movements, and global criminal activity.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course introduces students to International Political Economy (IPE), the branch of international relations studying the interdependencies between politics, economics, and society on the world stage. The course critically examines the major theoretical perspectives (i.e. Mercantilism, Liberalism, and Marxism), and the major subject areas of IPE: global trade, international monetary relations, debt and financial crises, and three largest international financial institutions (the WTO, the IMF, and the World Bank). The course will also address such topics as: the increasing relevance of India and China, the changing trends of global investment flows, and the role of the Middle East for oil production and democratization movements, and global criminal activity.
1. Theories of IPE: Liberalism, Mercantilism, Critical Approaches.
2. Playing fields of globalization: global trade and monetary relations.
3. Globalization and financial crises: Latin America, Japan, East Asia and Russia, US.
4. The Eurozone crisis: the political economy of the European integration process; the Eurozone crisis and the rise of populist movements.
5. Global issues: BRICS, oil and energy, globalized terrorism, globalization and democracy.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Knowledge of the basic concepts of IPE (e.g. balance of payments, competitive devaluation, dependency theory, embedded liberalism, import-substitution industrialization, monetarism, protectionism, structural adjustment programs).
2. Ability to connect the evolution of global capitalism with the key features and transformations shaping world politics and the evolution of culture and societies from the mid-19th century to today.
3. Awareness of different actors in IPE (states, international organizations, private corporations and interest groups, popular movements) and critical analysis of their policy choices.
4. Understanding of the differences and similarities of today’s globalization compared to previous historical periods.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class Participation | You will be graded based on how well prepared you come to class. During the first session, there will be mostly a lecture, while the second session will be dedicated to student presentations and to a discussion. During the second session, students will have to demonstrate their knowledge, their knowledge of the readings, and their ability to engage in independent, critical thinking. References to current global issues will be a constant. Contributions to class discussion especially during the second session will represent 33\% of the final grade. | 33 |
| Midterm | There will be a mid-term in-class, closed-book exam, which will serve to test the improvement of students' knowledge of the theories and facts developed in the first half of the course | 33 |
| Final Exam | There will also be a final exam and will be comprehensive of all topics covered in the course. The exam will serve to test students' knowledge as well as their ability to engage in pro-active, independent critical thinking. | 33 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1: Economic Efficiency and Inequality
Week 2: Public Sector Growth and the Rise of the Welfare State in Europe and North America 1
Week 3: Public Sector Growth and the Rise of the Welfare State in Europe and North America 2
Week 4: Social spending in the US and Britain
Week 5: Race and Welfare States
Week 6: Economic Policy and Performance in the Post-War Era
Week 7: Varieties of Capitalism 1
Week 8: Varieties of Capitalism 2
Week 9: Labor Market and Wage-Setting Institutions within Industrial Economies
Week 10: Institutions and Accountability
Week 11: Central Bank Independence
Week 12: Liberalization and Institutional Change
Week 13: Globalization and Immigration
Week 14: Globalization and Populism
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