INTR8013 International Political Economy 1

INTR8013 is only available under certain award programs.

Offered By	Dept International Relations
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	International Relations
Offered in	First Semester, 2009 and First Semester, 2010
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	This course introduces the subject area of international political economy. It is intended for students who have had no previous background in the subject. It begins with a review of the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international political economy. It then examines the major issue areas in the international political economy: trade; international finance; and foreign direct investment. Even though debate continues about the extent and novelty of the processes that we refer to as globalization, most observers accept that the contemporary global political economy is qualitatively different from anything that has preceded it. The composition of world trade has changed dramatically since World War II with traditional North-South patterns of exchange of manufactured goods for raw materials being replaced by intra-industry trade. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been the main driver of this transformation. In the financial realm, the growth of FDI has been accompanied in the last two decades by unprecedented flows of short-term portfolio capital. These have afforded new opportunities for less developed countries to engage in higher levels of investment by supplementing domestic savings but have also been associated with more frequent and more severe financial crises. The international institutional context has changed dramatically with the establishment of the WTO in 1995 and with the growth in regionalism. For firms and governments alike, these developments impose new constraints but also offer new opportunities. This course seeks to identify the impact of globalization on firms and governments, and the choices they face and make in responding to the challenge of a globalizing political economy.
Learning Outcomes	On satisfying the requirements for this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to analyse the literature in international political economy, and better understand developments in the contemporary global economy.
Indicative Assessment	Assessment: 5,000 - 6,000 words of written assessment, comprising essays, seminar papers and an examination.
Workload	8 hours per week: two for seminar attendance, and six for reading and writing. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs.
Areas of Interest	International Relations
Assumed Knowledge and Required Skills	The course assumes that students have knowledge of theories of international relations.
Incompatibility	POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy.
Recommended Courses	Background in international relations.
Prescribed Texts	J. Ravenhill (ed.), Global Political Economy [2^nd edition, 2008].
Technology Requirements	Students need access to a computer with a Microsoft Word and access to the internet.
Programs	Graduate Diploma in International Affairs, Graduate Non-Award, International Relations Program, Master of Arts (International Relations), and Master of International Affairs
Other Information	Delivery Mode: Semester 1, 2009; on-campus, lecture and small group discussion organized around case studies.
Academic Contact	Professor John Ravenhill

The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.