Core Questions in Political Economy - the case of trade

16.3.-22.4. Tuesdays and Thursdays 14-16, Main building Aud IX

Compensations

The course is designed to compensate for 2 study point of the study unit M240 “Core questions in Political Economy” featuring in the World Politics subunit of the Bachelor’s degree. M240 accords 6 study points. Since the course covers equivalent contents and objectives, students should read two books from the literature list of M240 in order to acquire the remaining credits and in preparation for the course.

The remaining credits of the study unit are to be completed in the form of a book exam within six months, at the latest, after the date of the course completion.

Target group/Course level

The course is geared towards bachelor students from the world politics sub-programme. Students will be expected to be familiar with core concepts of GPE. Covering the course work for M240 will fulfil this requirement. Further desirable prerequisites include general high levels of curiosity, willingness to engage in discussion and an interest in GPE.

Objectives

The course is an introduction to global trade studies. After completion of the course, the students will know about: the historical origins of the global trade order, the functioning and general principles of its main institutions (WTO & UNCTAD), as well as the theoretical and practical problems currently posed within the international trading system by challenges to traditional trade theory on the one hand, and by the emergence of new issues and new policy-making mechanisms on the other hand. By juxtaposing dominant views in the literature with critical approaches on the individual topics, the course will invite students to think independently about the theory and practice of world politics. Furthermore, as discussion during the class will be encouraged, students will also train public speaking skills.

Content

• Lecture 1/2
  Historic Overview – From the late 19th century to the 1930s / From Bretton Woods to Marrakech
• Lecture 3/4
  Theoretical Approaches – Economic theory: from Ricardo to Rodrik / Theory of trade policy-making: from the club-model to multistakeholders
• Lecture 5/6
  The Institutions of World Trade – Overview: WTO, UNCTAD / Principles of WTO Law: non-discrimination rules, general exceptions / Mechanisms of Trade Governance: negotiation rounds, dispute settlement
• Lecture 7/8
  Changes in the Trading System – New Issues: the ‘trade and.. debate’ (environmental and social clauses), WTO+ agendas (Singapore Issues) / New Fora: proliferation of preferential trade agreements
• Lecture 9/10
  Trade and Development – Developing countries in the WTO / LDCs in the global trading system

Completion

The course will be completed by an essay on a topic of the student's choice connected to global trade issues.
Students will write one short practice essay during the class on which feedback will be provided in order to prepare students for the final essay. Final essays are due on the 24th of May 2010.

Grading

The grading scale is 0-5. As a general rule, grading will be based on the quality of the essay, measured in terms of familiarity with the subject, and structure and originality of the argument. Students will write one short practice essay during the class on which feedback will be provided in order to prepare students for the final essay. Final essays are due on the 24th of May 2010.

Course results and retake

The results of the course will be posted on the notice board of the Political Science. If the course work is not accepted or if the student wishes to raise his/her grade, he/she should contact the teacher within one month after the publication of the results and discuss arrangements for rewriting course work.

Course evaluation anddevelopment

During the last session, students will have an opportunity to give feedback on the course to the lecturer and to fill in an anonymous evaluation form. During the course feedback can be given anonymously.

When giving feedback, please evaluate the contribution of the teacher, your own contribution, the contributions of other students and the possible contribution of the Department office to the success of the course.