CORNELL COLLEGE
Department of Politics
349:
International Political Economy
November 2005
Dr. David W. Loebsack,
Instructor
Jean Donham
, Consulting Librarian
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
Class Meets: Generally, M-F 9-11 but there will
be some days when we meet morning and afternoon. See the schedule
below for the particulars.
Office Hours: Generally 11-12 (except Tuesday) and by appointment
Phone: 895-4300
Fax: 895-4284
Email: dloebsack@cornellcollege.edu
Purpose:
This course is designed to introduce the student to the
linkages between international economic transactions and political factors
that often constrain economic actors. It provides a broad overview of
the transformation of the international capitalist political economy
since WWII and various frameworks for analyzing these changes. It is
thus both empirical and conceptual. It is therefore concerned with many
of the aspects of what has become known as "globalization."
Moreover, the student economist will learn just how critical politics
can be in the international economic realm while the budding political
scientist (or, attorney, as the case may be) will once again be reminded
of the omnipresent forces of the market.
Much of our time will be taken up reviewing the post-WWII
history of trade and money issues as well as the role of multinational
corporations. In addition, we shall spend considerable time on U.S.
trade policy, the rise of "globalization," and the various
responses to this phenomenon.
Readings:
David N. Balaam and Michael Veseth, Introduction to International Political Economy, Third Edition (B&V)
Joseph Stiglitz, Globalization and its Discontents
Requirements:
Two exams - 20% and 30%.
One paper - 30%.
One paper presentation - 10%.
Class participation - 10%.
- Two exams, the first worth 20% and the second
worth 30% of the course grade.
- Research paper
(12 typed, double-spaced pages) worth 30% of the course
total. The paper will require full documentation via footnotes or
endnotes and a bibliography. The oral
presentation is worth 10%. The paper is due at 12
p.m. November 23.
You are required to present the paper in class during the last week
of the term. Each student will be allotted 20 minutes, 15 minutes
for the presentation and 5 minutes for questions/discussion.
November 4 is reserved solely for paper conferences. At
that conference, you should be ready to discuss with me not only
your topic but also the issues/themes you wish to research. In other
words, you need to have developed a statement of purpose.
There is no roughdraft required. However, if you wish me to
read one, it must be to me no later than Wednesday, November 16 to allow me time to read it and comment on it by Friday, November 18. You also should note that a roughdraft should not be
so rough that I would need to edit it extensively. The primary purpose
of submitting a roughdraft is to get my feedback as to whether you
are covering the topic correctly and organizing your thoughts in
a logical fashion.
- Class participation worth 10% of the course
grade. I expect students to keep up with the reading and come to
class prepared to discuss the assignments. Also, you should keep
in mind that attendance at your colleagues' paper presentation is
mandatory. If you fail to attend one or more of the
presentations (without a legitimate excuse), you will earn
no higher than a C- for class participation.
Schedule:
Week 1 - October 31-November 4
Monday 9-11- Introduction: what is international
political economy? Theoretical approaches to international political
economy. B&V, chs. 1-2.
Tuesday - 9-10 - Meet in Library 127 for instruction with Jean Donham.
10-11 - Theoretical approaches (cont.). B&V. chs. 3-5.
Wednesday - No class
Thursday 9-11- Trade and Money. B&V, chs. 6-8.
1-3 - Global Security and Technology. B&V, chs. 9-10.
Friday 9-12 - Paper conferences.
Week 2 - November 7-11
Monday 9-11 - States and Markets: Regions of the World. B&V, chs. 11-13.
Tuesday 9-11 - Exam 1.
Wednesday 9-11 - North-South. B&V, chs. 15, 17-18.
1-2
- Library 126 to work on papers.
Thursday 9-10- Guest Lecturer, Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek International Editor
10-11 - Finish North-South.
Friday - 9-11 - Global Issues. B&V, chs. 19-20.
Week 3 - November 14-18
Monday - 9-11 - Focus on globalization. Stiglitz, Introduction
and chapters 1-2.
Tuesday 9-11 - Globalization (cont.). Stiglitz,
chapters 3-5.
Wednesday 9-11 - Globalization (cont.). Stiglitz,
chapters 6-7.
Thursday 9-11 - Globalization (cont.). Stiglitz,
chapters 8-9, Afterword; B&V, chapter 21.
Friday 9-12 - Exam 2.
Week 4 - November 21-23
Monday 9-11 - Paper presentations
Tuesday 9-11 - Paper presentations.
Wednesday - Paper due at 12 p.m.
