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Global Political Economy, 15 Credits

Global politisk ekonomi, 15 Högskolepoäng

Established: 2026-03-11

Established by: School of Business, Economics and IT

Applies from: V27

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Identify and outline the main structures, key actors, and central dynamics of the global political-economic system.
• Describe how the global political-economic system is organised and how it operates in practice.
• Define differences and interlinkages between material and ideational forces and different models of explanation within global political economy

Competence and skills

• Apply relevant theories and concepts to analyse the global political-economic system and specific cases.
• Present, discuss, and debate global political-economic challenges from different theoretical and normative perspectives, both orally and in writing.
• Combine empirical material and theoretical perspectives in a precise and academically responsible manner.

Judgement and approach

• Reflexively evaluate different approaches to global political economy and their underlying assumptions.
• Use and interpret empirical material with care, transparency and attention to its limits.

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Entry requirements

General entry requirements. You also need: English 6, Social Studies 1b or Social Studies 1a1 and 1a2. Or: English level 2, Social Studies level 1b or Social Studies level 1a2

The forms of assessment of student performance

Students are assessed through a group assignment and an individual take-home exam

Course contents

This course examines how politics and economics interact within global dynamics. Global Political Economy (GPE) is an interdisciplinary field that integrates insights from economics, politics, international relations, geography, and other social sciences to analyse global power structures. The course introduces key theoretical and methodological approaches in GPE and applies them to specific issue areas, such as trade, finance, production, development, and the environment, helping students understand and critically evaluate contemporary debates in the global political economy

Other regulations

Course grading: F/Fx/E/D/C/B/A - Insufficient, Insufficient- more work required before the credit can be awarded, Sufficient, Satisfactory, Good, Very Good, Excellent

Course language: The teaching is conducted in English.

General rules pertaining to examination at University West are available at www.hv.se.

If the student has a decision/recommendation on special support due to disability, the examiner has the right to examine the student in a customized examination form.

Cycle

First cycle

Progressive specialization

G1N - First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements

Main field of study

Political Science