- Winter 2019
Syllabus Description:
International Political Economy, Winter 2019
Political Science 427
Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-4:20
MEB 237 (Mechanical Engineering Building)
Final Exam, Tuesday March 19, 4:30-6:20 (MEB)
Professor James Caporaso
Office Hours: Tuesday 12-2:00
Description. This is a course in international (global) political economy. There are several courses that serve as helpful background: Introduction to political science, introduction to international relations, and introduction to comparative politics. Elementary knowledge of economics, especially macroeconomics and trade theory also provides useful background. One of the aims of the course is to familiarize students with some basic concepts of economic theory, e.g. comparative advantage, opportunity cost, division of labor to name a few. The course is organized into two parts. The first part (January 7-31) focuses on different theoretical traditions in political economy, particularly neoclassical (liberal) political economy, Marxian political economy, and Realist political economy. The second part of the course (February 5-March 14) has to do with the subject matter of international politics and economics. Here we will examine the political economy of trade, labor, investment, migration etc. We will also examine some of the critics of globalization and focus on some problems that are related to intense globalization, such as Brexit, the refugee crisis, and the European financial crisis. The global dimensions if international political economy are not meant to imply a sharp break with domestic politics. Both the origins and the effects of globalization lie at the domestic level.
Evaluations. There will be a mid-term and a final exam. The mid-term will be given on February 12 from 2:30 to 4:20. The final will be given Tuesday March 19, 4:30-6:20. The format of the exam will be composed of short identifications, short explanations of key concepts, and essays. Knowledge of both readings and lectures will be important to provide good answers. There will also be two or three “pop” quizzes to assess how well students are following the course material. The mid-term will count 30% of your grade and the final 50%. Class participation and the pop quizzes count 20%. Make-ups will not be given, except with a doctor’s excuse. Early and late exams will not be given. Enrollment in this class implies that you will take the exams at the scheduled times. Please check your schedules carefully to make sure that you will be here for both exams. Please do not ask for an exception. My expectations are that students will come to class and do the readings. Without doing both, you are not likely to do well in the exams.
Readings and Texts. The textbook for this course is Introduction to International Political Economy, by David Balaam and Bradford Dillman, seventh edition, 2019, Routledge. This book is available for purchase at the UW Book Store. Please purchase a copy or plan to share one with a fellow student. Please be sure to purchase the seventh edition since prior editions are not the same. The other readings for the course are either provided through links, PDFs that have been uploaded on Canvas, or are available in electronic journals (E-journals) in our library. Please let me know if you have trouble accessing any of the course material. The location of each reading is specified on the syllabus.
Disability Resources. Disability Resource Services can be reached at 206-543-8924 or email uwdrs@uw.edu. Complete information can be found online at http://disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions.
It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. Please make sure that I know what your accommodations are early in the course.
Rules of the road for the class. Normally, I will provide a class outline that provides in schematic form the broad outlines of the covered material. Lectures will be more detailed than the outlines so you will be required to take notes. Computers are allowed if you use them appropriately, i.e. where note-taking is not one of several “apps” but is the only program open on your computer. If I see you smiling extensively while I am talking about global poverty and hunger, I may suspect you are somewhere else. Also, no “devices” (phones, etc.) are allowed. Please turn them off while you are in class. I ask your cooperation on these matters. It will be helpful to me and to all the students if these basic rules are followed.
Finally, I want all of you to do well in the class. There are no mathematically enforced winners and losers that result from use of a curve. It’s quite possible that everyone will do well, or everyone not so well. If you come to class regularly, do the readings, think about them, and prepare yourself for the exams you should be able to get a good grade. I am available for office hours on Tuesday from 1 to 3.. I can also generally stay longer after class for continued discussions. Since this is not a huge class, it’s also okay to email me at Caporaso@uw.edu.