IR368 Half Unit
The Political Economy of Trade
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Stephen Woolcock CBG.8.09
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and Chinese, BSc in International Relations and History and BSc in Politics and International Relations. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.
Pre-requisites
Some background knowledge of international political economy, such as that provided in IR206 International Political Economy, will be useful to students taking this course.
Course content
This course provides the basis for understanding the current trends in international trade, including the growth of unilateralism and protectionist pressures and the crisis of the world trading system. This understanding will be base on:
• the intellectual history of free trade and how this has shaped and continues to shape policy;
• an understanding of trade theory;
• background on changes in the nature of trade and investment in the 21st century;
• an analyses the structural tensions in the trading system as well as the domestic economic and political factors shaping policy;
• knowledge of the underlying trends towards the use of preferential and plurilateral rather than multilateral cooperation in trade and investment
• the core issues in current trade negotiations;
• and thus an understanding of the current fundamental challenges facing the international trading system.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours across Michaelmas Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of online lectures and in-person classes/classes delivered online. Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.
Indicative reading
Heydon. K and Woolcock. S (eds) (2012) The Ashgate Research Companion to International Trade Policy, HF 1379 A 82: e-book and hard copies available.
Hoekman. B and Kosteki. (2009) The Political Economy of the World Trading System HF 1359 H69 e-book available but reasonably price in paperback so something to purchase.
Martin. L (ed) (2014) Oxford Handbook of The Political Economy of International Trade, available as an e-book.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the January exam period.
Student performance results
(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| First | 18.2 |
| 2:1 | 57.6 |
| 2:2 | 21.2 |
| Third | 3 |
| Fail | 0 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Total students 2019/20: 19
Average class size 2019/20: 10
Capped 2019/20: Yes (20)
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness
- Specialist skills
