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Global Political Economy - POL00075I

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

In Global Political Economy, you will build an excellent knowledge and understanding of international economic relations through engagement with key questions that have formed the basis of the discipline historically and that continue to shape our understanding of contemporary phenomena such as the election (defeat) of Trump, the rise of China and the globalisation backlash.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

The module begins by building a conceptual framework – examining the role of power, interests, institutions and ideas – for answering the key questions posed by the contemporary global political economy. It then moves on to examine four central questions in turn: Do we need a hegemonic power to support an open global economy? How is the governance of the global economy changing? Who are the winners and losers of economic globalisation? What drives state responses to the global economy? By bringing together existing academic literature and analysis of relevant cases, students will develop critical, compelling and conceptually rigorous ways to answer these questions.

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of Global Political Economy, students should:

  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of key issues and concepts in Global Political Economy through engagement with core questions from the discipline.
  • Apply with minimal guidance concepts – including power, interests, institutions, ideas – and empirical evidence to problems and issues in Global Political Economy
  • Gather and analyse information in response to questions about Global Political Economy and work to set goals and objectives in order to complete assigned tasks
  • Communicate to present arguments using detailed ideas through media including essays and exam answers

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Ravenhill, J. ed. 2021. Global Political Economy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Paul, D. E. and Amawi, A., eds., 2013. The Theoretical Evolution of International Political Economy: A Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

O'Brien, R. and Williams, M., 2016. Global Political Economy: Evolution & Dynamics. 5th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.