Introduction to International Political Economy

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: to be confirmed
• Assessment: a 300-word log/learning journal (10%), 800-word essay (40%) and 1500-word take-home examination (50%)

In this module we provide you with a foundation in international political economy (IPE). We explain the conceptual and theoretical approaches applied to international political and economic processes, as well as introducing you to the literature, concepts and debates in this expanding field. We will:

• examine the historical context within which the global political economy has emerged
• evaluate leading theoretical approaches to IPE
• analyse current developments such as globalisation, financial liberalisation, multinational corporations, regionalisation and migration
• examine the operation of international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• demonstrate a working knowledge of competing approaches to IPE
• identify the main structural features of the politics of the international economy and how they are changing
• assess the significance - for states, companies and other actors in the international economy - of issues such as increased interdependence, financial liberalisation, multinational corporations, regionalisation and international organisations.