The course aims to take the student through a range of contemporary debates related to the different fields of political economy, international politics, and comparative politics. This first part of the course focuses on the key contemporary debates in international trade. Students will be introduced to features of
international trade such as trade barriers or forms of regional economic integration. Focus will also be placed on the role of the World Trade Organization in regulating international trade. The second part of the course focuses on familiarizing students with regime dynamics, different forms of political instability,
and their international influences. Politics in both the Global North and the Global South is growingly characterized by domestic social tensions and non-democratic trends. The myriad forces contained in the process of globalization are pulling the political dynamics in the Global South in different and even opposing directions. To make matters worse, numerous regimes in the Global North are now facing many internal challenges to democracy.

Assessment

The final grade will derive from two sets of assessments:

1. Active participation in class or class preparation (40%) Each professor will explain at the outset of the two parts of the course, how and on what basis such participation/preparation will be assessed.
2. Written assignments (60%) Each professor will issue instructions and explain at the outset of the two parts of the course what the assignments entail.

The teaching methodology will combine elements from both teacher-taught and team-based learning. Debate and participation are essential. In order to ensure a good learning experience for all students we expect you to come prepared to class, engage as much as possible in class discussion and turn
in all your assignments on time.

Competences, learning outcomes and teaching activities (PDF)