Finance and Power (L2069A)

30 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

You’ll consider the globalisation of finance and the structure of the power relations that drive it. You will examine the ways in which global finance is constructed on the basis of power struggles and how financialisation empowers certain actors over others.

You’ll start by examining various forms of financial systems and their social ramifications. You will then examine how the process of globalisation affects the evolution of these financial systems, and the social struggles over the direction of change.

You’ll address the impacts of financialisation on the project of development, the convergence of various economic systems and the formulation of progressive politics.

Finally, you will consider the regulation of finance and the various challenges it raises for political authorities and social forces.

Teaching

100%: Seminar

Assessment

30%: Coursework (Essay, Group presentation)
70%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 36 hours of contact time and about 264 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2023/24. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: