17³Ô¹Ï

Student Learning Outcomes -

• Critically Analyze contending Theoretical Formulations of the International Political EconomyThis course taught in Spring 2016 had some of the most unusual group of students I have taught at 17³Ô¹Ï . They were for the most part bright, focused and industrious. Both the Honors and Non-Honors students attend the same class, receive the same instruction, participate in the same activities, do the same assignments except for the critical, analytical research paper assignment. Honors students write a 20 page critical, analytical research paper and Non-Honors students a 15 page paper. Flexibility is provided for an Honors and a non-Honors student to write a research paper together. However, if an Honors and a Non-Honors student choose to write a paper together, that paper must be 20 pages of content with Works Cited in addition. Some 90% of the Honors students were well prepared for college. They demonstrated strong analytical, research and writing skills and were well focused on their academic and professional lives particularly in transferring to some of the finest universities in the US. The majority of non-Honors students on the other hand were a work in progress: not well developed study skills, time management problems, difficulties understanding material and undertaking research assignments, and inadequate writing and analytical skills. Pairing Honors with Non-Honors within the class and making them work together both in leading specific seminar topics and allowing for the opportunity for groups of two to write the research paper assignment together helped to "raise up" those students who did not have the requisite skill level preparation for college. Constantly pushing students to strive for excellence in their work and to make excellence the hallmark in all they do, seems to have helped in motivating everyone to work hard at exceeding even the expectations they held of themselves. Working closely with all students in conceptualizing their research paper topic, researching the literature and then formulating the paper coherently and logically seems to have worked well for everyone. In the end, over 80% of students earned letter grades A. Over 50% of these students enrolled in other classes in Winter and Spring, performed quite well and have now transferred to universities like NYU, UC's, Georgetown, Santa Clara, UCLA, UCB and others.
• Critically Analyze contending Theoretical Formulations of the International Political Economy

Description -

Analysis of the contending theoretical formulations of International Political Economy (IPE), emphasizing the interconnection between economics and politics in the broad context of a global economy and the formulation of national public policy. Economic and political policy issues of current national and international significance are emphasized. The honors course is a full thematic seminar with advanced teaching methods, focusing on extensive writing, reading, research assignments, student-led seminar discussions, group discussions, oral presentations and interactions. Distinguishing features include: heightened focus on and evaluation of global objectives and components of developed and developing nations, increased depth of analysis and breadth of examination, higher level of student critical thinking. Expanded learning outcomes and fuller description of these focused elements.

Course Objectives -

1. Identify and analyze the contending theoretical formulations of the International Political Economy and their interconnections to the state.
2. Critically evaluate the International Political Economy, including trade, finance and development within the broad context of world politics.
3. Assess competing analytical and theoretical models used in the study of political economy particularly in evaluating the historical development and current operation of the world economy.
4. Identify the central structural and historical features of the global political economy and their changing circumstances in a global market.
5. Identify and critically analyze some of the leading policy issues in the global political economy, such as global finance, trade, terrorism, non-governmental organizations and the role of international economic institutions, such as: the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and trade blocs in social, economic and national development strategies.
6. Identify and systematically analyze the political ideologies underlying global political economy issues.
7. Analyze the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the IPE.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment -

Course Content (Body of knowledge) -

1. Analysis of contending theoretical formulations of political economy
2. Analysis of the nature of politics and economics, power and wealth
3. Analysis of globalization, the International Political Economy, national security, and their effects on governments, societies and citizens
1. Investigate the role of socialist economics in the capitalist world economy
2. Analysis of international finance in the IPE
3. Examine the role of multinational corporations in the IPE
4. Assess the role of non-governmental organizations in the IPE
4. Economic theory and history
1. Capital flows
2. International trade
5. International development; population, poverty
6. Contemporary problems in political economy, such as indigenous populations, environment, poverty, status of women
7. Socio-economic organizations
1. Laissez faire, mixed economy, socialism
2. Marxism, fascism, and corporatism
8. Extent and role of the public, quasi-public, and private sectors: government, proprietorship, partnership and corporation
9. Sustainable capacity-building and government role
1. Infrastructure
2. Allocation distribution
3. Stabilization
4. Education, research and development
5. Institutions in monetary and fiscal policies
6. Environment, workplace safety
7. Resource conservation
10. Geopolitics vs. geo-economics
1. Protectionism, trade issues, industrial policy
2. Colonialism and revolution
11. American impacts
1. World War I and the 1920s
2. Great Depression, New Deal, Keynesianism, World War II and globalism
3. Cold War, affluence, poverty, Fair Deal, New Frontier, Great Society
12. Efforts to restructure and downsize
1. Intermestic linkages
2. Ethnic fragmentation, welfare state, entitlements
13. Regionalism: NAFTA, European Community (European Union), APEC
1. IGOs, NGOs, IMF
2. IBRD, WTO, MNCs
14. Democracy, efficiency and justice: meeting the needs of all
15. Methodological approaches: contending theories in the International Political Economy

Methods of Evaluation -

1. Development of research paper topic, thesis, and outline
2. Analytical research paper on topic of interest utilizing the scientific method of analysis
3. In-class assessments (quizzes, exams)
4. Active participation in individual or group oral presentation on assigned topics
5. In seminar, demonstrate substantial knowledge of literature and ability to systematically analyze and synthesize material
6. Actively critique positions held by classmates in scholarly manner; defend positions both verbally and in writing

Representative Text(s) -

Disciplines -

Method of Instruction -

1. Weekly formal lectures
2. Weekly intensive seminar style discussions that are highly interactive
3. Weekly written notes on reading assignments that demonstrate substantial and systematic understanding of material
4. Oral presentations (PowerPoint) on assigned modules of course
5. Literature search on topics of class discussions

Lab Content -

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing and Outside of Class Assignments -

1. Weekly reading assignments of required texts
2. Accessing the New York Times and The Economist (online versions) to keep abreast of worldwide economic and political issues and informing class of findings during seminar
3. Accessing online versions of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy and other relevant journals that will assist students in their knowledge of relevant issues
4. Development of research paper topic, thesis and outline with assistance from instructor
5. Critical analytical research paper utilizing the scientific method of analysis
6. Weekly written notes on major themes and ideas of reading assignments