University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Template revised October 2005)
Code: UPPNGS-30-2 Title: Global Political Economy Version: 5
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Politics
Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Awards up to BA(Hons)
Pre-requisites: UPENAA-30-1: Economic Principles or
UPPNFA-30-1: Democracy and Dictatorship or
UPPNFB-30-1: Politics Beyond the Nation State or
UPPNFC-30-1: Politics and the Media or
UPPNFD-30-1: Foreign Policy or
Equivalent
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: UNGOP2S3: International Political Economy
UNPPNGS-30-2 Politics of Globalisation
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module the typical student will be expected to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of, differentiate between and assess the validity of the main theoretical approaches to the study of international political economic phenomena in the global system (components A & B).
• Explain and compare different modes of interaction between states, non-state actors and markets globally and regionally, and evaluate their consequences (component B, element 2).
• Assess historical and contemporary issues in the global political economy through analysis of relevant text sources. (components A & B).
• Effectively communicate key arguments related to such issues both verbally and in writing (components A & B)
• Construct clear and persuasive arguments using a wide range of factual and scholarly material relating to the development of a global political economy (component B, element 1 & 3).
Syllabus outline:
The module covers four main themes in the study of the Global Political Economy:
1. Theorising the global political economy - introduction to the contending approaches used to understand and explain the international political economy, and the importance of differences between theoretical approaches to the analysis of the global system.
2. Structures and actors in the global political economy - analysis of the main actors (state, state associations and non-state) which produce and shape outcomes in the global system, and the structures in which these actors are located.
3. Institutions of the international political economy - survey of the main intergovernmental actors (IGOs), the major non-state political economic organisations as well as the major role played by commercial non-state actors (multinational corporations).
4. Issues in the global political economy - discussion of a selection of issues which bring together the factors studied in various elements of the module, e.g. the problems of international development, environmental change, instability in the financial sector and the possibilities for multi–level governance.
Teaching and learning methods:
The course is organised round a series of lectures which set the framework for students’ own interrogation of the relevant literature. Seminar groups will be used to help students focus on particular key issues within the overall subject field of the module. Seminar groups will be initiated by a student presentation and will then aim to reflect student interests through a tutor chaired discussion (which will also involve group working where appropriate). Students are expected to carry out autonomous study in addition to directed work and the module is structured on this basis.
Reading Strategy:
Essential reading will be provided electronically or as printed study packs. Students will be encouraged
to read widely using the library catalogue, a variety of bibliographic and full text databases, and Internet
resources. Guidance to some key authors and journal titles available through the Library will be given on
UWEonline. It is expected that assignment bibliographies and reference lists will reflect the range of
reading carried out.
It is important that students can identify and retrieve appropriate reading. This module offers an
opportunity to further develop information skills introduced at Level 1. Throughout the module,
students will attend seminars offering advice on the selection of appropriate databases and the development of search skills.
There are some excellent books published in this subject area. Students will be encouraged to buy at
least one book. A list of recommended titles will be provided in the Module Handbook and updated
annually.
Indicative Reading List:
The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.
Axford,B The Global System: Economics, Politics and Culture Polity, 1995
Cleaver,T Understanding the World Economy Routledge, 1997
Daniels,P.W. & Lever,W.F. The Global Economy in Transition Longman, 1997
Gilpin,R Global Political Economy Princeton U., 2001
Held,A et al Global Transformations Polity, 1999
Jones, R.J.B. Globalisation and Interdependence Pinter, 1995
Kenwood,A.G. & The Growth of the International Economy (fourth edition) Routledge,1999
Lougheed,A.L.
O’Brien,R. & Williams,M. Global Political Economy (second edition) Palgrave, 2007
Palan, R. Global Political Economy: Contemporary Theories Routledge, 2000
Ravenhill, J. Global Political Economy OUP, 2005
Rosenau,J.N. & Czempiel,O Governance Without Government: Order & Change in World Politics (ed.) CUP, 1992
Scholte, J.A. Globalization: A Critical Introduction (second edition) Palgrave, 2005
Stiglitz, J. Globalization and its Discontents Penguin, 2002
Strange,S States and Markets (either edition) Pinter, 1988/95
Stubbs,R & Underhill,G.R.D. Political Economy and the Changing
(editors) Global Order (second edition) OUP, 2000
Woods, N. The Political Economy of Globalization St Martin’s, 2000
Journals:
International Organisation
Foreign Affairs
Global Society
Governance
Third World Quarterly
New Political Economy
Review of International Political Economy
World Politics
World Economy
Review of International Studies
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B A: 40% B: 60%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (Controlled conditions)
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Examination (3 hours) 40%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Text Review (1,500 words) 20 %
2. Essay (2,500 words) 30 %
3. Seminar contribution 10 %
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)
Component A (Controlled conditions)
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Examination (3 hours) 40%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Extended Essay (3,000 words) 60%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by ……Approved at VARC meeting………Date ……18.06.07……………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)