Students

POL 303 – Global Political Economy

2015 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Dr. Govand Azeez
Contact via 9850 8811
W6426
Tuesday 12-1 or by appoinment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp or (6cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units at 200 level including 3cp in POL)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit focuses on the relationship and interaction between politics/states and economics/markets at the national, international and global levels. Global/International Political Economy (IPE) is concerned with the study of those global problems and issues that cannot adequately be explained by recourse to economic, political, or sociological analysis alone. IPE is the study of international affairs that focuses on the elements of complex interdependence that define many of our most pressing problems today; it breaks down the barriers that separate and isolate the traditional methods of analysis, seeking a comprehensive understanding of issues, events and units of analysis.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Class Participation 10% 13 November No
In-Class Test 20% Week 5 Tuesday 25 August No
Reflective Journals 25% Various No
Major Essay 45% Monday October 26 No

Class Participation

Due: 13 November
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

All students are expected to do the required reading for each week in preparation for the lectures and seminars. Active and informed participation is expected in each week’s seminar from all students.

External students will participate in on-line discussions. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

In-Class Test

Due: Week 5 Tuesday 25 August
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

A one-hour in-class test will be held in week 5 on the material covered in the first 4 weeks of the course.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production

Reflective Journals

Due: Various
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

Each student will submit five reflective journals throughout the semester. The journals will be at least 250 words in length, but not more than 500, and will be a reflection of the key ideas raised in the readings from any given week. Journals must be submitted at the corresponding tutorial (that is if you decide to write your journal about "Problem Solving Theories" it must be submitted in the week 3 tutorial). No late journals will be accepted. A reflexive journal is not just a summary of the readings. Rather, you will engage with the material analytically and critically. 

Journals can combine topics from two or more classes but in these cases with still only count as one submission. Each journal will count for 5% of your overall grade and the entire exercise 25% of your entire mark. Journals must be typed, 12 font, double-spaced and you must use references. The word limit does not include references.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Major Essay

Due: Monday October 26
Weighting: 45%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

The major essay is due Monday October 26. The essay length is 2500- 3000 words. 

Questions:

1. In what ways is IPE/GPE an analysis not only of the material world but of the constructed reality that defines the way the world is organised? 

2. Which IPE/GPE perspective offers a better explanation and remedy for the current global economic crisis?

3. Do you agree with Philip McMichael that globalisation is a ‘historically specific project of global economic (financial) management’ prosecuted by a ‘powerful elite of financiers, international and national bureaucrats, and corporate leaders’ to restructure developing states and their economies? See McMichael in Roberts and Hite, The Globalization and Development Reader: Perspectives on Development and Social Change, 1996: 218.

4. Does world-systems analysis provide a persuasive explanation for the disparities in wealth and power in the global political economy? What are the major criticisms of this approach and are they valid?

5. “Now, when I say question the whole society, it means ultimately coming to see that the problem of racism, the problem of exploitation, and the problem of            war are all tied together. These are the triple evils that are interrelated.” (Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.)

In what way can the quote from Dr King be interpreted as a critique of how racism (and other forms of bigotry and discrimination) is generated by the capitalist system?

All essays are submitted via turn-it-in. Instructions available on ilearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Delivery and Resources

This course has 1x2hr Lecture each week on Tuesday mornings from 10-12. Students also attend 1x1hr tutorial as timetabled. The class locations and times are as follows:

The first lecture is on Tuesday July 28. The first tutorial will be held on Tuesday August 4.

Lectures: Tuesday 10-12 in Room E3B117

Tutorials 1: Tuesday 2-3 in Room W5C309

Tutorials 2: Tuesday 3-4 in Room W5C309

The Course Reader for this Unit is O'Brien, R. and Williams, M. "Global Political Economy"4th edition, 2014, London: Palgrave Macmillan. available from the co-op. 

Unit Schedule

Week 1

July 28

Introduction to the course (No tutorials this week)

Week 2

August 4

Introducing GPE

Week 3

August 11

Problem Solving Theories of GPE: mercantilism,  liberalism and neoliberalism

Week 4

August 18

Critical Theories of GPE: Marxism, Dependency and World Systems Theory

Week 5

August 25

Creating the International System Part 1: 1492-1815

Week 6

September 1

Creating the International System Part 2: 1815-1945

Week 7

September 8 (Sept 14- Sept 25 Mid Semester Break)

Creating the International System Part 3: 1945-onwards

Week 8

September 29

The Political Economy of Globalization

Week 9

October 6

Global (un)development and the Global Political Economy of Debt and Inequality

Week 10

October 13

The Political Economy of Race and Gender

Week 11

October 20

Reading Week (no lectures or tutorials)

Week 12

October 27

Crisis and Reform in the Global Political Economy

Week 13

November 3

Concluding Remarks

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Assessment task

  • Class Participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • In-Class Test
  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • In-Class Test
  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • In-Class Test
  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop the language and skills necessary to critically evaluate economics
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Assessment task

  • Class Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding the complexities of the world economy
  • Developing a better appreciation of the relationship between political power and the world economy
  • Demonstrating an ability to critically reflect on the power relations that determine the distribution of wealth and shape knowledge production
  • Develop an understanding of the agency integral to the operation of the world economy

Assessment task

  • Class Participation

Changes since First Published

Date Description
16/07/2015 remove word anytime from information relating to submission of journals. remove contradictory information about the essay word length.