Introductory description

N/A

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: Introduction to political economy
Week 2: Markets
Week 3: Colonialism
Week 4: Gender
Week 5: Governance
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Labour
Week 8: Trade
Week 9: Money & finance
Week 10: Growth & sustainability

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of how political economy contributes to the study of politics as a whole.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of different approaches to the study of political economy.
• Be able to relate scholarly literature theorising political economy and actual contemporary developments including very topical events.
• Be able to make informed comparisons of various strengths and weaknesses of different political systems or regimes.
• Ability to critically analyse ideas, in writing, in relation to the issues influencing the transformation of the economy.

Indicative reading list

O'Brien, R. and Williams, M. (2010) Global Political Economy, third edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Ravenhill, J. (ed) (2011) Global Political Economy, third edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Blyth, M. (eds) (2009) Routledge Handbook of International Political Economy: IPE as a Global Conversation, London: Routledge.
Crane, G. T. and Amawi, A. (eds) The Theoretical Evolution of International Political Economy, second edition (Oxford University Press, 1997).
Phillips, N. (ed) (2005) Globalizing International Political Economy, Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Stilwell, F. (2012) Political Economy: The Contest of Economic Ideas, third edition, Oxford: Oxford
University Press
Strange, S. (2003) States and Markets, second edition, London: Continuum
Stubbs, R. and Underhill, G. (2006) Political Economy and the Changing Global Order, third
edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Tabb, W. (1999) Reconstructing Political Economy: The Great Divide in Economic Thought,
London: Routledge
Watson, M. (2005) Foundations of International Political Economy, Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.

Subject specific skills

NA

Transferable skills

• Communication skills
• Lateral thinking skills
• Skills in the distillation and application of information and ideas
• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Independent research skills
• Reflecting on what makes 'good' supporting evidence
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Information Technology
• Skills in academic practice