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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL/EC 360 H"
COURSE NAME: "The Political Economy of Globalization- HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Bogdan Gabriel Popescu
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30-2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing; Recommended: EC 201, EC 202
OFFICE HOURS:
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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

1. Economic Efficiency and Inequality
2. Growth of the public sector and welfare states
3. Varieties of Capitalism
4. Labor market, wage-setting institutions
5. Globalization’s impact on free trade, welfare states, and the rise of populist sentiments

For a full set of topics, check: https://bgpopescu.net/files/teaching/cpe/pol_econ_syllabus.html
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Knowledge of the key concepts and theories in political economy: Economic efficiency, inequality, welfare state development, varieties of capitalism, and globalization.
2. Analytical Skills: The course will cultivate students’ analytical skills, enabling them to assess the impact of economic policies, institutional changes, and globalization on societal outcomes, including income distribution, labor markets, and welfare provision.
3. Effective Communication: Through class discussions, presentations, and written assignments, students will refine their communication skills, articulating coherent arguments and supporting their viewpoints with evidence from scholarly research.
4. Ethical and Societal Awareness: The course will encourage students to reflect on the ethical dimensions of economic and political decision-making, considering social justice, equity, and the distribution of resources within and across societies.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 There are three component to the final grade for this class: - Contributions to Class 33% - Mid-term 33% - Final exam 33% - Contributions to Class The contributions to class are the average of: - presentation - physical presence - class participation - questions submitted every week - quality of questions The mid-term and final exams are closed-book. They will test the improvement of students’ knowledge of the theories and facts developed in the course, and independent critical thinking. Both the mid-term and final exams represent 33% of the grade. A major exam (midterm or final) cannot be made up 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.  

-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. The final exam period runs until ____________
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.
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.
SCHEDULE