International Political Economy

Lectures (Fridays from 9 to 12am)
o 07/02 Introduction
o 14/02 History: the industrial revolution, capitalism, neoliberalism
o 21/02 Global production, multinational corporations and labour
o 28/02 No class (make-up class on 14/05)
o 06/03 The IPE of regional integration: The case of the EU
o 13/03 Global finance I
o 20/03 Global Finance II
o 27/03 Globalisation and the State o 03/04 International trade I
o 24/04 International trade II
o 08/05 Poverty and inequality
o 14/05 Development
o 15/05 Climate change
 Seminars
o 26/02 (1-4pm) Case-study Analysis
o 11/03 (2-4pm) Grades and Feedback
o 18/03 (1-4pm) Policy brief
o 01/04 (1-4pm) Grades and Feedback
o 06/05 (1-4pm) WTO simulation

International Political Economy (IPE) explores the articulation between economic activities and power, i.e. the political dimension of economics or the economic conditions for the exercise and reproduction of power in international politics. It deals with the multiple interactions between political (States, international organisations, citizens) and economic actors (markets, firms, lobbies, etc...). This course analyses economic facts through a political lens. It borrows mostly from the discipline of IPE and a multidisciplinary corpus of literature from the social sciences (history, sociology, anthropology) so as to capture the social, historical and cultural dimension of international economics. The course appeals to students interested in engaging in theoretical debates about what is commonly called ‘the economy’, as well as those eager to contribute effectively to policy-making regarding issues of globalisation, regional integration, development, finance, etc...

Each lecture may typically include:
 A lecture on the main aspects of the weekly topic
 The presentation of case-studies. They usually have a geographical focus or are inspired by the news.
 The use of maps, videos (documentaries or films, interviews with relevant actors or academics), press articles, etc.
 An in-class assignment or group work sessions
 A discussion about the compulsory reading(s)

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

During the course, students will develop the following abilities:
 Identify the main actors (regional and international organisations, government and public service, non-governmental organisations, think-tanks, the private sector, citizens), trends and dynamics of today’s global political economy
 Acquire knowledge of the functioning rules, practices and challenges involved in inter-national economic regulation and governance
 Produce contextualised and critical analysis of IPE that is relevant for the press, academia, policy-makers, think-tanks, the private sector or civil society (trade-unions, NGOs)
 Improve their ability to participate in real-life and policy-oriented discussions about the global economy
 Use theoretical and analytical tools to explain case-studies and approach specific topics, including current events and concrete situations of everyday life
 Systematically approach international decisions and their consequences in the light of the interactions between politics and economics
 Identify the main topics and debates, arguments and theories of the discipline of IPE
 Develop academic research skills and a taste for IPE studies  Improve their ability to write academic essays, policy briefs, policy recommendations and case-study synthesis

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

In addition to the compulsory readings which must be completed each week, the following textbooks will help you (optional) to map out the different schools and tendencies within IPE (the academic field) as well as to understand its main dynamics (trade, finance, production, etc...):
 Frieden, Jeffry A. and Lake, David A. (1999). International Political Economy: Perspectives on global power and wealth. 4th. New York: Routledge
 Gilpin, Robert (1987). The Political Economy of International Relations. Princeton University Press
 O’Brien, Robert and Williams, Marc (2013). Global Political Economy: Evolution and Dynamics. 4th. New York: Palgrave Macmillan
 Ravenhill, John (2008). Global Political Economy. 2nd. New York: Oxford University Press  Woods, Ngaire (2000). The Political Economy of Globalization. New York: St. Martin’s Press

Support(s) de cours

• Syllabus
• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Prof. Isaline Bergamaschi will teach the lectures of the course (classroom H2.2213); Xavier Gillard (PhD candidate at REPI/ULB) will teach the seminars (S.DC2.206). Professor Isaline Bergamaschi:
 isaline.bergamaschi@ulb.be
 +(32) 2 650 32 27
 R 41.4.201 (Institut d’Études Européennes), Office hours: Tuesdays 2-4pm
Email and inquiries must be sent to the Professor and teaching assistant; otherwise they may not be taken into account. Emails will not be replied to if the answer to your question(s) can be found in the course syllabus. Prof. Bergamaschi is happy to receive students and provide them advice on their CVs and application letters to join educational programmes, get an internship or a job, and prepare interviews the first Tuesday of each month during her office hours. For organisational purposes, please (i) send her an email one week in advance in order to book an appointment, (ii) come to the meeting with a paper version of the relevant material (CV and application letter, job description, etc.). Teaching assistant Xavier Gillard : • xgillard@ulb.ac.be • R41.1.306 (Institut d’Études Européennes), Office hours: Wednesdays 10-12am

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit
• Examen pratique
• Autre

Examen écrit

Examen pratique

Autre

Your final grade for the course will be composed of several items. This will allow students to improve throughout the semester, to get good grades due to specific skills they already have and to develop new ones, both academic (e.g. readings notes, final essay) and geared towards professional training and policy-making (policy brief, WTO simulation).

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

Reading Note: 20% Each week. 1 page. 12pt Times New Roman. Single spacing. Each week, students are required to write a one-page answer to the question for each session indicated in this syllabus. Each reading note is worth 10% of the final grade.

Case-study synthesis: 15%

Policy brief: 15%

Position paper and Trade negotiation simulations: 30%

Final essay: 20% (it will take place at the end of the semester - to be determined later)

WARNING: As a way to ensure that students are treated fairly and equally, the grade for the ‘seconde session’ will be calculated on the basis of a combination between the course’s assignments carried out by the students throughout the semester (50% of the final grade) and a second opportunity (‘seconde session’) to take the final essay (50% of the final grade) in August.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais