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Reading Seminar in Social Science: International Political Economy >> Content Detail



Syllabus



Syllabus

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Course Overview


This course examines the politics of international economic relations. Government decision making in areas such as trade policy, exchange rates, and financial flows are influenced not only by economic factors, but also by political processes within and among countries. Only by systematically analyzing these political processes can we understand and explain the actual patterns of economic exchange that we observe - both today and throughout history. This course begins with a discussion of the analytical "lenses" through which we can view the global economy. It then examines the politics of trade policy, the internationalization of production (i.e., multinational corporations), international monetary and financial relations, third-world development and communist transition; and the debate over "globalization." Along the way, we will discuss some "hot-button" issues in the global economy: the fight against terrorist financing and money laundering; the proper role of international financial institutions (including the IMF); and the impact of the global economy on the ability of governments to make policy within their own borders.



Course Requirements


Students are expected to attend all class sessions, to complete the assigned readings prior to class, and to complete all written assignments and exams.



Readings


The following books are required for the course:

Amazon logo Frieden, Jeffry A., and David A. Lake, eds. International Political Economy: Perspectives on Global Power and Wealth. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1999. ISBN: 9780312189693.

Amazon logo Oatley, Thomas. International Political Economy: Interests and Institutions in the Global Economy. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Pearson Longman, 2005. ISBN: 9780321355669.

Amazon logo Stiglitz, Joseph E. Globalization and Its Discontents. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 2003. ISBN: 9780393324396.



Evaluation


Grades for this course will be based on an in-class examination, a take-home essay exam, a final examination, and class attendance and participation.


ACTIVITIESPERCENTAGES
In-class examination25%
Take-home essay exam25%
Final examination30%
Class participation20%



In-Class Examination


An in-class examination will be given in Ses #11, which will cover material from the readings, lectures, and class discussions. No make-up exams will be given.



Take-Home Essay Exam


For this 8-page (approximate length) essay, due in class on Ses #21, you will answer an essay question distributed in class on Ses #19. Your essay should be based on the material from the readings, lectures, and class discussions, and must be double-spaced in 12-point font. The essay is due in class - no email attachments, please. Late papers will be penalized with a full letter grade deduction per 24 hours. Collaboration with other students is not permitted.



Final Examination


The two-hour final examination will have two parts, each of which will count for one half of the exam grade. The first part will ask you to identify and discuss the significance of important concepts, events, and processes contained in the course. The second part will ask you to answer one of two essay questions, similar in style to the take-home essay.



Class Participation


Class participation includes attendance and active involvement in class discussions. In addition, students are required to write four "reaction papers" (approximately two pages in length), each of which synthesizes and critiques a week's readings.



Recommended Citation


For any use or distribution of these materials, please cite as follows:

David A. Singer, course materials for 17.910 Reading Seminar in Social Science: International Political Economy, Fall 2006. MIT OpenCourseWare (http://ocw.mit.edu/), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Downloaded on [DD Month YYYY].



Calendar



SES #TOPICSKEY DATES
Analytical perspectives
1-2Introduction: Markets and politics
International trade
3-4Overview of the multilateral trade system
5-6Trade policy: Analytical perspectives
7-8Trade policy: Empirical studies
9Review for exam
10Trade and development
11In-class examinationIn-class examination
Money and finance
12-13Foreign direct investment and the multinational corporation
14The international monetary system
15-16Exchange rate politics
17-18International financial institutions
19-20International finance and developmentTopics for take-home essay handed out in Ses #19
21DiscussionTake-home essay due
22-23Economies in transition
The globalization debate
24-25Positive and negative externalities of globalization
26

The illicit global economy

Conclusion


 








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