BASS Social Anthropology and Sociology

This unit aims to provide a critical examination of the politics of globalisation. Students will be introduced to the main debates on the impact of globalisation on world order and the issues surrounding the historical emergence of a global economy. The course is organised so as to provide a background understanding of international political economy after the Second World War, the global turn towards the ‘free market’, and then to explore a series of major issues that provide windows onto the encompassing process of globalisation: production; money and finance; trade; governance; economic and climate crises; the politics of anti-globalisation; and the more recent resurgence of reactionary forms of politics across the world. 

This module will provide a critical examination of globalisation. Students will be introduced to the main debates on the impact of globalisation on world order and of the issues surrounding the historical emergence of a global economy. The course is organised so as to provide a background understanding of international political economy after the Second World War, the global turn towards the ‘free market’, and then to explore a series of major issues that provide windows onto the encompassing process of globalisation: production, money and finance, trade, governance, crisis, and the politics of (anti-)austerity.

On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:

•      understand basic concepts in the study of globalisation;

•      have knowledge of a range of different issues connected with globalisation and the emergence of a global economy after the Second World War;

•      be able to evaluate different scholars’ interpretation of issues related to globalisation;

•      understand the political challenges brought about by globalisation;

•      Have enhanced critical, evaluative, and communicative skills through participation in class discussions, formative assessment, and a summative examination

Students should be aware that all marks are provisional until confirmed by the external examiner and the final examinations boards in June.

For modules that do not have examination components the marks and feedback for the final assessed component are not subject to the 15 working day rule and will be released with the examination results. This applies to Semester 2 modules only. Semester one modules with no final examination will have their feedback available within the 15 working days.

Hannah, E. and Ravenhill, J. (eds.) (2024) Global Political Economy. 7th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 

See also the web site I-PEEL International Political Economy of Everyday Life at http://i-peel.org.”