International Political Economy

Subject POLS90026 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. If enrolments exceed 30, the 2nd hour of the seminar may be split into 2 or 3 small classes.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: .
Non Allowed Subjects:

166-572 International Political Economy

166-548 International Political Economy

Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Kate Macdonald

Contact

Dr. Kate Macdonald: kmac@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject provides students with a critical understanding of international political economy, exploring links between international politics and economics in historical and contemporary perspective. An advanced introduction to a range of competing theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of international political economy is provided. Dilemmas of global economic governance are explored in relation to debates surrounding the role of major inter-governmental institutions such as the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the G20, and via examination of overlapping regimes of public and private power through which global systems of production, consumption, trade and finance are organised and governed. Key contemporary debates are explored, including divisions between developed and developing countries, the management of financial crises and the environmental consequences of a growth-based world economy.
Objectives:
  • Developing a political and historical understanding of the major actors and events that have shaped the emergence of the contemporary international political economy.
  • Developing comprehensive knowledge of the institutional regimes through which the international political economy is organised and governed.
  • Strengthening skills in critically analysing competing empirical and theoretical claims regarding the consequences of contemporary globalisation.
  • Developing skills in analysing and evaluating the design and operation of both public and private regimes of global economic governance.
Assessment:

1. Essay proposal with annotated bibliography, due mid semester. 500 words 10%.

2. Final essay of 2500 words, due near the end of semester. 50%

3. Final exam, two hours, equivalent to 2000 words, held during the exam period. 40%

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A reading pack will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop

John Ravenhill (ed), 2008, Global Political Economy, Oxford University Press
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic.
  • to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry.
  • to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively.
  • to develop cross-cultural understanding.
Notes: This subject is a compulsory component of the Master of International Relations. It is also compulsory in the Master of International Politics 200-point program (teach-out), for those students who have not completed 166-401.
Related Course(s): Master of International Relations
Master of International Studies

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