Fall/Winter Timetable

POL2206H1F L0101

Undergraduate Course Code: POL477H1F L0101

Advanced Topics in International Political Economy

New Interdisciplinary Approaches

Themes

Key thinkers informing the traditional perspectives of IPE, such as Marx, Ricardo, Smith considered themselves moral philosophers rather than economists, or political scientists. Indeed, their canonical tomes were written in a pre-disciplinary age, prior to the advent of more specialized academic disciplines. Today IPE scholarship continues bridging these and other disciplinary divides. This course examines recent IPE studies drawing theoretical inspiration from and analysing empirical trends associated with anthropology, geography, history, philosophy and sociology, as well as computer studies, cultural studies, labour studies, legal studies, and women’s studies. Students consider the extent to which recent interdisciplinary efforts contribute novel insights into issues and processes traditionally considered in IPE, such as authority, development, governance, and power. In weekly course contributions and a term paper, students assess the relevance of these new interdisciplinary approaches and reflect on whether the intersection of economics and political science is sufficient for understanding contemporary issues in finance, production, and trade, amongst others. In doing so, students will contemplate what contemporary IPE is, what it is not, and what it might be.

Format and Requirements

Term paper and presentation, weekly class participation, leading a seminar, final exam.