University of Sussex Business School

Economics and International Relations

(BA) Economics and International Relations

Entry for 2019

FHEQ level

This course is set at Level 6 in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Course Aims

1. To provide our undergraduates with a training in the economics discipline, develop their interest in the subject and encourage them to examine both economic and other social problems from an analytical and critical perspective.
2. To provide our undergraduates with a flexible curriculum that allows the approaches and methodologies of other disciplines to be explored through the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary structures at Sussex and instil in them an openness and flexibility to alternative views.
3. To provide our students with a set of general skills that enable them to think analytically, express themselves clearly, work independently, meet deadlines and encourage initiative.
4. To provide our students with a set of subject-specific skills appropriate to the level of their course that enable them to access, analyse and appraise economic theories and related evidence; to present and sustain coherent and logical argument; and to implement and complete independent research in economics.
5. To give our students the opportunity to participate in processes of module review and evaluation.
6. To enable students to understand the importance of International Relations in the contemporary world.
7. To ensure that students acquire knowledge and understanding in appropriate areas of theory and analysis.
8. To enable students to understand and use the concepts, approaches and methods of the disciplines and develop an understanding of the contested nature and problematic character of inquiry in the disciplines.
9. To provide students with the opportunity to combine the insights and methods of the two disciplines.
10. To develop students' capacities to critically analyse events, ideas, institutions and practices.
11. To provide students with opportunities to develop their intellectual, personal and interpersonal skills so as to enable them to participate meaningfully in their societies.
12. To provide a curriculum supported by scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of intellectual enquiry and debate.
13. To provide students with a supportive and receptive learning environmentent

Course learning outcomes

Demonstrate a deep knowledge and understanding of the core principles of economic theories, data, concept and methodologies.

Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the past, current and potential issues in international development and also the theories and practices to deal with them.

Be able to work effectively in diverse teams as leaders and members.

Demonstrate awareness and understandings of ethical standards and behaviours in the arenas of research, analysis and policy

Be able to communicate effectively in oral and written forms the acquired knowledge of economics and international development to both specialist and non-specialist audience

Demonstrate independence and critical thinking in developing theories in economics and international development and apying them to internationa issues.

An understanding of the core concepts and questions that define the discipline of IR.

An awareness of the major practical, political and moral challenges facing contemporary global society.

A familiarity with the key theoretical traditions of IR as an academic discipline.

A basic knowledge of the history of modern international relations;

An understanding of the significance of the world economy for the nature of the international system.

Flexibility in utilising a variety of intellectual approaches as required by the multifaceted character of the subject.

An in-depth knowledge and understanding of a specialist area within the discipline.

Ability to communicate effectively with others and to present material both orally and in writing.

Ability to deploy a range of communication and information technology skills.

Ability to apply a range of skills in the retrieval and use of primary and secondary sources.

Ability to work together with others as well as independently, including to manage time effectively.

Ability to present concise and cogently structured arguments, both orally and in writing.

Full-time course composition

YearTermStatusModuleCreditsFHEQ level
1Autumn SemesterCoreEconomics Principles 1 (L1099)154
  CoreIntroduction to International Relations (L2008)154
  CoreIntroduction to Mathematics for Finance and Economics (L1054)154
  CoreThe Rise of the Modern International Order (L2007)154
 Spring SemesterCoreClassical Political Theory & International Relations (L2014N)154
  CoreMacroeconomics 1 (L1056)154
  CoreMicroeconomics 1 (L1053)154
  CoreThe Short Twentieth Century and Beyond (L2005)154
YearTermStatusModuleCreditsFHEQ level
2Autumn SemesterCoreContemporary International Theory (L2015N)155
  CoreIntroduction to International Political Economy (L2024)155
  CoreMacroeconomics 2 (L1032)155
  CoreMicroeconomics 2 (L1031)155
 Spring SemesterCoreAdvanced Macroeconomics (L1059)155
  CoreAdvanced Microeconomics (L1061)155
  OptionDevelopment and the State (L2128)155
  Globalisation and Global Governance (L2025)155
  Security and Insecurity in Global Politics (L2061N)155
  The Liberal World Order - in Crisis (500IR)155
  The Politics of Foreign Policy (L2090)155
YearTermStatusModuleCreditsFHEQ level
3Autumn SemesterCoreStatistics and Introductory Econometrics (L1022)155
  OptionContemporary Issues in the Global Political Economy (M1529A)306
  East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century? (L2074A)306
  Economics of European Integration (L1066)156
  Environmental Economics (L1088)156
  Experimental Economics: Markets, Games And Strategic Behaviour (L1097)156
  Financial Econometrics (N1611)156
  From Bombs to Algorithms: Science, Technology, and Global (In)security (016IR)306
  Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice (018IR)306
  International Relations of the Modern Middle East (L2065A)306
  International Trade (L1070)156
  Labour Economics (L1039)156
  Marxism and International Relations (M1530A)306
  Mercenaries, Gangs and Terrorists: Private Security in International Politics (L7092A)306
  Monetary Theory and Policy (L1040)156
  Political Economy of the Environment (L7094A)306
  Religions in Global Politics (L2075A)306
  The Global Politics of Health (004RA)306
  The Politics of Armed Groups: Rebels, State and Society (014IR)306
  Trade, (De)Globalisation, and the New Mercantilism (L2076A)306
 Spring SemesterOptionBehavioural Economics (L1083)156
  Capitalism and Geopolitics (L2062S)306
  Climate Change Economics (L1078)156
  Colonialism and Modern Social Theory (021IRS)306
  Dirty Wars? Conflict and Military Intervention (L2056S)306
  East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century? (L2074S)306
  Economics of Crime (L1101)156
  Economics of Education (L1098)156
  Financial Economics (L1095)156
  Genocide in International Relations from Ancient Times to the Present (013IRS)306
  Global Politics of Food (011IRS)306
  Global Resistance: Subjects and Practices (L7090S)306
  Governing Muslims: from Empire to the War on Terror (010IRS)306
  NGOs in World Politics (L2067S)306
  Politics of Terror and Global Histories of Violence (M1014S)306
  Putin, Power, Populism: Russia and Eurasia in Global Politics (L2071S)306
  Sex, Race and Death in Global Politics (L7091S)306
  Statistics Project (L1069)156
  The British Economy in the Twentieth Century (L1102)156
  The Economics of Development (L1065)156
  The United States in the World (L2064S)306
  What is War (L2072S)306

Course convenors

Frank Brouwer
Senior Lecturer

Mohsen Veisi
Lecturer in Economics

About your joint honours course

Sussex has always promoted interdisciplinary study by encouraging students to combine different subjects and different approaches to learning. Joint-honours courses are an ideal option if you want to study more than one subject in depth. A key idea behind joint-honours is to experience the range of ways that different academic disciplines use to teach, learn and research. Those differences are stimulating and challenging, but they can also be confusing, so you will find some useful information below to help you get the most out of your course.

  • To find information about the individual modules that make up your course, go to the school that teaches the module. Each module is assessed by the school that teaches it, so on their website you will find (under “student information”) information about the assessment criteria being used, the referencing style you need to use for your work, contact times for your tutors, information about the student reps scheme and lots of other useful information.
  • To find general information about joint honours, use the Frequently Asked Questions list
  • For information about the rules and regulations that govern all Sussex students, start with the general student handbook
  • For help in improving your study skills, using the library and with careers, try the Skills Hub.

And if you have any other questions, contact the convenors for your course; they are here to help you.

Useful links

Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.

The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.