2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PIED5527M Theories and Concepts in Global Political Economy

30 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Charlie Dannreuther
Email: C.Dannreuther@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module offers an overview of the main challenges and crises in the global political economy today such as climate change and pollution, global health insecurities, inequality and poverty, and the status of the liberal international order and multilateralism. It examines the scale and nature of these challenges, and questions how we got to this juncture, as well as signal the possibilities for transformations. The module develops an understanding of how different theoretical and historical approaches in GPE have explained the dynamics of the global political economy, as well as how they frame and approach present global challenges. In the final stage of the module students will examine GPE from Southern and alternate perspectives and voices that are emerging as powerful critiques of disciplinary orientations. Beyond the American and Anglo-centric and European traditions, there have been alternative voices and critiques, concepts and theories emerging from other regions of the world. The module concludes by unpacking different understandings of the historical expansion of capitalism in the world economy and what its key characteristics, changes and impacts have been in different contexts and historical junctures.

Objectives

This module aims to enable students to understand the key approaches and theories of Global Political Economy. It does so by addressing a series of questions about the key constitutive elements and characteristics of the political dimensions of the world economy: What do they identify as key drivers and characteristics of change and crises in the system? What do they say about key actors and their role in (re-)producing the system? Further, do these theories limit the possibilities of changing our world, are they useful, and what are the other perspectives and alternative critical knowledges? The module aims to build critical knowledge of the main approaches to GPE, including liberalism, liberal institutionalism, Realism and economic nationalism, and through to Marxist, post-structuralist and critical IPE, including theories of corporate power. In addition, the module aims to engage with other disciplinary approaches to GPE, including those emerging from geography, economic history, science and technology studies, and sociology and anthropology.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students be able to:
1. Identify, explain and discuss the key concepts and debates surrounding Global Political Economy including the history and theories of capitalism and mainstream Global Political Economy approaches.
2. Critically engage with contemporary theories of the political economy of violence, hegemony, development, work, place and bodies, inequality, neoliberalism, gender and race.
3. Demonstrate and understanding of, and make connections between, the theoretical perspectives of GPE as well as its methods and theories to help explain and contemporary challenges, problems, and issues such as: climate change, inequalities, and food and health insecurities.
4. Engage with southern perspectives on GPE, decolonisation, and regional political economy from LMICs.

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Identify and make links between political dimensions of the world economy and global crises.
2. Communicate ideas accurately, effectively, and persuasively to individuals and groups.
3. Plan and develop independent pieces of written research, including blog posts, literature reviews, issues reports and essays.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.50	16.50
Seminar	11	1.50	16.50
Private study hours			267.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A non assessed Formative 1 X 1000 Lit Review will be required in preparation for the final assignment. Student progress will be monitored formally through assignments as well as informally through their contribution to the weekly seminar discussions. Students will also have opportunities to discuss their progress individually outside class hours through office hours.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Assignment	Formative Coursework	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		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: 29/04/2024 16:19:21

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