PO3IPE-International Political Economy

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jonathan Golub
Email: j.s.golub@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The course is an introduction to International Political Economy (IPE), which focuses on the interaction between states and markets at the domestic and international levels. It covers the major theoretical approaches to IPE and applies them to study international trade, development, financial crises, and economic sanctions. It also considers the relationship between globalisation and the welfare state as well as the environment.

Aims:

1. To introduce students to the major competing approaches to IPE;


2. To give students a grounding in debates on the international and domestic economy;


3. To provide students with a good theoretical and empirical understanding of the interaction between political and economic factors;


4. To foster a critical and informed awareness of the academic literature in IPE and to demonstrate this in essays, class presentations and examinations;


5. To provide a foundation for further study in the field or for careers that require a good knowledge of the interaction between politics and economics.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will acquire, and display:

• a knowledge and understanding of the wide-ranging and profound impact of international politics upon the international economy and of the international economy upon international politics.


• an ability to demonstrate the analytical skills necessary for the further study of this complex realm of activity.

Students will also be able to:

• present material to their peers and debate various issues in class

Additional outcomes:
The module promotes independent study; together with teamwork and the ability to communicate orally in a group context.

Outline content:

Note that content is indicative and may be subject to change.

This course introduces the main debates in IPE. Topics may include an overview of international economic history; the three main approaches to the study of Political Economy (Liberalism, Mercantilism and Marxism); the political economy of trade protectionism; the impact of globalisation on national policy making; the political economy of development; causes of and responses to financial crises; the use and effectiveness of economic sanctions.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There are 10 weekly lectures and 10 weekly seminars, based upon student preparation, and discussion of presentations on topic-related questions. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		15
Guided independent study:		135	40
Total hours by term	0	160	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	40
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Exam weighted at 40%.  Examinations take place in the summer term.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write one 3000 words essay on selected topics. Non-submitted essays will be awarded a mark of zero.



Visiting students will follow the same assessments. Those visiting students who are here for Spring term only but wish to gain full credits will also write one 3000 word essay. Visiting students who are only studying for half credits will submit one 3000 word essay. 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Candidates who fail their final year normally have the right to be re-examined on one further occasion at the next opportunity. These candidates will not normally be eligible for Honours (ie., only a ‘Pass’ classification would be attainable). Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements (coursework and re-examination) even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.



Examination: Re-examination takes place in August/September of the same year.



Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted within the specified resubmission period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: The core book for this module is Thomas Oatley 2012. International Policitcal Economy (fifth edition). Longman, Pearson (RRP £44.99 but Blackwell branch on campus offers it at the discounted rate of £38.99).


2. Specialist equipment or materials:


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:


4. Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification:


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 30 March 2023