Over the past 50 years the process of globalization has seen markets become more closely intertwined. Its effects have profoundly affected politics within and between countries. A host of associated political concerns have subsequently come to the fore. What is the desirable level of trade between countries? How much threat do unregulated financial flows pose to future prosperity? Does globalization open up or close down paths for economic development? Has the quest for greater efficiency created unacceptable vulnerability to economic coercion? As economies become more intertwined, so do the impacts of market forces and policy decisions. In this course we will examine ways of understanding these impacts by identifying who wins and loses from policy decisions impacting national and international markets and by exploring power relations within and between states. Students will learn how to use a political economy framework to answer questions with empirical evidence and will become familiar with the major tensions and debates in the political analysis of the modern global economy.
By the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate:
- knowledge of the principal contemporary global challenges in the field of international affairs.
- the ability to apply theories of International Political Economy to analyze contemporary global challenges.
- the ability to advance sophisticated arguments orally and in writing.
Oatley, T. (2023), International Political Economy, 7th edn, Routledge. eBook ISBN9781003276524
- Midterm 20% of final grade
- 2 group presentations 20% each
- Term paper 30%
- Participation 10%
A (18=A-;19=A; 20=A+)
Exceptionally good performance demonstrating a superior understanding of the subject matter, a foundation of extensive knowledge, and a skillful use of concepts and/or materials.
B (15-17)
Good performance demonstrating capacity to use the appropriate concepts, a good understanding of the subject matter, and an ability to handle the problems and materials encountered in the subject.
C (12-14)
Adequate performance demonstrating an adequate understanding of the subject matter, an ability to handle relatively simple problems.
D (9-11)
Minimally acceptable performance demonstrating at least partial familiarity with the subject matter and some capacity to deal with relatively simple problems, but also demonstrating serious deficiencies.
F (<9)
Did not demonstrate familiarity with the subject matter, nor the capacity to deal with simple problems in a manner recognizable to the consensus of mainstream academic practitioners within the field.
Attendance is required, although each student can have 3 (three) unexcused absences without penalty. Each subsequent unexcused absence will result in the student’s class participation grade being lowered 1 (one) point on the 20 point scale.
- Absences for medical or personal emergencies will be excused. Absences for school athletics will be excused only if they are in accordance with the schedules approved and circulated by the Student Academic & Financial Affairs Committee for Travel or the Associate Athletic Director (Academic Services). Absences due to military service will be handled on a case-by-case basis and subject to verification.
According to the Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code, academic misconduct is any act that does or could improperly distort student grades or other student academic records. Such acts include:
- Possessing, using or exchanging improperly acquired written or verbal information in the preparation of any essay, laboratory report, examination, or other assignment included in an academic course;
- Substitution for, or unauthorized collaboration with, a student in the commission of academic requirements;
- Submission of material that is wholly or substantially identical to that created or published by another person or persons, without adequate credit notations indicating authorship (plagiarism).
AI use
As one of the learning outcomes of this course is to acquire the ability to think critically about and analyze contemporary global challenges, the use of generative AI software such as ChatGPT, DALL-E 2, and other AI agents is PROHIBITED in this course. I will be using Georgia Tech’s software (Turnitin) to check for AI use. To allow for false positives, Turnitin-detected AI content up to 20% will be accepted. Work above that threshold will be considered to be potentially plagiarized and will be reported to the Office of Student Integrity.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
Course content, activities, and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion