Module details for 2019/20.

30 credits

FHEQ Level 6

Module Outline

For more information see here:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/global/internal/forstudents/options/ir

The module focuses on the impact of the current economic crisis on the global distribution of power and wealth. First, we examine the nature of the current economic crisis that started with the subprime crisis in the US in 2007. We examine a number of different explanations, including national economic policies in systemically important economies, global imbalances, macro-historical explanations related to the nature of capitalism, financialisation, geopolitics, and cultural political economy. We also assess the complementary and competing aspects of these explanations. Second, we focus on key challenges to global economic recovery, including indebtedness, the US monetary policy, commodity prices, and the rebalancing of the Chinese economy. We also discuss theories on why a return to sustainable global growth rates may be a futile expectation (e.g. secular stagnation). Third, the module focuses on the geopolitical impact of the crisis. Here we examine how the economic crisis challenges and changes the traditional relations between the ‘global North’ and the ‘global South’. We also assess the new ‘global politics of debt’ and the resilience demonstrated by the BRIC economies in the face of the global economic crisis.
The aim of the module is to generate critical knowledge about the nature and the causes of the global economic crisis and its multiple and diverse impact on world politics and economics.

Module learning outcomes
• Develop a systematic and critical understanding of the multiple aspects of the ongoing global economic crisis and its competing theories and explanations.
• Develop a detailed conceptual understanding of the main challenges to global economic recovery and financial stability, that will allow the students to articulate their own arguments and suggest solutions.
• Enhance students’ independent research skills and use of primary sources, as well as students’ ability to effectively synthesise and communicate complex arguments and ideas.
• Sharpen students’ communication, analytical and negotiation skills, through participation in simulation games, group projects and debates.

Module learning outcomes

Comprehend economic globalisation as a series of multi-level negotiation games and critically analyse the dynamics and forces governing these games.

Apply theoretical knowledge and analytical tools to interpret and analyse current global political economy events.

Understand and evaluate the role of domestic/national and regional structures in the production and dissemination of global economic events.

Sharpened communication, analytical and negotiation skills, through participation in simulation games, group projects and debates.

Compose a research design that can steer a substantial intellectual analysis of a given research topic.

View timetable

Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Andreas Antoniades

Assess convenor, Convenor
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/215111

Dr Earl Gammon

Assess convenor
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/138664