2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5228M Understanding the Global Economy: Capitalist Institutions, Growth and Crises

15 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Marco Veronese Passarella
Email: m.passarella@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module explores differences and similarities in competing national models of capitalism, focusing on the advanced capitalist economies of Western Europe, North America, and Japan, within the broader context of the world economy. It contrasts neoclassical, institutional and Marxian views on similarities and differences in the post World War 2 experiences of capitalist economies. It looks at the policy implications of different viable forms of capitalism for national policy debates on corporate governance, welfare, employment protection and skills, and for international policy debates on institutions to sustain the world economy. It recognises the central part played by large corporate organisations.

Objectives

The module aims to provide the knowledge and skills to enable students to compare and assess institutional descriptions of different varieties of advanced capitalist economy, and to identify and recognise similarities and differences in their individual post World War 2 trajectories. It aims to enable students to develop economic analysis and critical thinking in the context of appraising competing descriptions of and explanations for the trajectory taken by advanced capitalism as a whole over recent decades.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to critically assess:
- different theoretical perspectives on the ‘golden age' of post-war capitalist growth, and assess current debates
- key features of different national varieties of capitalism, and compare and contrast advanced forms of capitalism in
- competing theories of the firm underpin competing conceptions of models of capitalism, and the relevance of this to policy debate on issues
- implications for contemporary debates over national and international policy issues

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Think critically and analytically
- Communicate succinctly

Subject specific
- Recognise and evaluate while showing sensitivity to national differences in economic institutions and cultures within the broader framework of global capitalism and market-based economic systems

Syllabus

Indicative content
Introducing varieties of capitalism and competing perspectives; the post WW2 global economy and its international institutions; the crisis of the 1970s and the neoliberal response; neoclassical models of convergence; institutional models of differences; Marxian models of crises; theories of the firm and models of capitalism; comparisons of British, American, German and Japanese cases; implications for policy debates. Key learning is developed through group workshops, which critically assess current research, supported by individually tailored formative feedback on practice essay questions.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.50	15.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			130.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

- 6 hours reading per lecture: 60 hours
- 5 hours reading and preparation per seminar: 25 hours
- revision for final examination: 45 hours
= Total 130 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Progress will be monitored by contributions made to the seminars
- Formative feedback will be provided on individual and group contributions to the seminars.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/04/2015

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