Taught Masters Modules: POL612 - The Political Economy of Globalisation

Level: MA
Credits: 30

Description

In recent years globalisation has commanded the increasing attention of publics, policy-makers and academics alike, becoming an integral part of the academic, political, economic and lay vernacular. Unremarkably, it has generated a vast and diverse literature. The purpose of this module is to offer an advanced level of understanding of this literature and the attendant issues it raises. Students will unpack this substantial body of theory, research and empirical evidence to assess: (i) the extent (if any) of the break that ‘globalisation’ marks with the past; (ii) the distinct and often contradictory processes that interact to produce the effects referred to as ‘globalisation’; (iii) the degree to which the parameters of the politically and economically possible have been reconfigured by such processes; and (iv) the possibilities for effective and democratic global governance in this context.

The course begins with a general introduction to our understandings of globalisation, reviewing the literature on and evidence for economic globalisation. In the second section of the course, the impact of globalisation on the autonomy and sovereignty of the nation-state, the relationship between globalisation and regionalisation and the policy implications of globalisation are the focus of attention. The extent to which globalisation can be held accountable democratically and the implications of the global financial crisis are consistent themes of the course.

Objectives

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

Demonstrate independent and critical understanding of the most important aspects of globalisation
Show awareness of the relationship between theory and practice in relation to the international/comparative political economy literatures
Fully identify the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical approaches to the study of globalisation and assess critically the competing claims that are made regarding the impact of economic integration on a range of countries
Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, including understanding complex concepts and theories, exercising critical judgement and using a range of problem-solving techniques; making effective oral contributions and written presentations, utilising specialist primary and secondary sources, and deepening the capacity for independent learning
Write scholarly and grammatically correct essays that are referenced in accordance with established academic practice.

Assessment

Essay 1: 40%
Essay 2: 60%