PSIR403 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
| Course Code: | 3540403 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | Political Science and International Relations |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assoc.Prof.Dr. HANDE SÖZER |
| Offered Semester: | Fall Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to introduce you to the core debates and empirical issue-areas of contemporary Global Political Economy (GPE), and to develop your research and critical analysis skills in the study of GPE. It is a continuation of PSIR 305 International Political Economy. After a brief introduction to the field of GPE and its evolution, we will then examine a range of different problems in the global economy, from the international trade system and internationalization of production to the challenges of global finance, international development, and the emerging global order. Most academic representations of current international economic issues tend to treat them as purely economic problems and to ignore their political aspects. One of the main objectives of this course will be to challenge such approaches by insisting on the political dimensions of the international economy, as well as on the effects of economic processes on international politics. Therefore, the course will question the division of the political and the economic, suggesting that the very effort to define them as distinct domains is itself a political act.
Course Content
This course aims to introduce students to the core theoretical debates and empirical issue-areas of contemporary Global Political Economy (GPE), and to develop their research and critical analysis skills in the study of GPE. The course is divided into three parts. In the first part, it introduces students to the historical and theoretical foundations of GPE. The second part then looks at core GPE issues such as economic globalization, neoliberalism and state restructuring. The last part focuses on broader GPE issues such as global inequality, labor and social justice movements in the North and South.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, you will have learned and understood the contemporary issues in the global political economy and be able to relate and apply your knowledge of the international political economy (IPE) theories to these issues. I expect that you are able to evaluate the important debates in IPE in today's world. You should also be able to critique the common views and understandings of the IPE issues and to create your own views and understandings on these issues.
Also, after completing this course you will have enhanced your individual presentation and writing skills, as well as your ability to do oral and written work in teams.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Having academic knowledge in Political Science and International relations disciplines | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Developing an interdisciplinary perspective incorporating other areas of the social sciences as well | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Being capable of evaluating political, economic and social matters at local, national and international levels | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Being capable of making sense of, follow and analyze political, economic and social events | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Being sensitive to global, environmental and social problems | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Developing a critical mind capable of making constructive criticisms, open to lifelong learning, researching, inquiring, questioning and problems solving | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Being capable of individual work, entrepreneur, good time management and able to actively take part in group work for common purposes | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Having effective communication skills in Turkish and English languages | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Being capable of using communication technologies in reaching to information and organizing and presenting this information in a systematic way | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution