Course Syllabus

INR 3703: International Political Economy

Dr. Lukas K. Danner

Best Way to Contact Me: Canvas Inbox
Office Hours: By Appointment
Website: http://danner.is

Course Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET). Course due dates are according to this time zone

Course Description and Purpose

This course is designed to gives students the tools and knowledge with which to evaluate the interactions between politics and the global economy. First, students will learn how international political economy (IPE) is defined and the general newer history of global market governance. Students will learn about the different theoretical perspectives explaining international political economy. With this background knowledge different questions about the global interactions between politics and the market will be analyzed and evaluated. Students will also familiarize themselves with the general historical trends in international political economy. Application of the learned theoretical perspectives will follow in different topical areas, i.e., the international financial architecture, global trade relations, international development, and topical transnational issues. The course will include pre-recorded lectures, reading and concept challenges (quiz, midterm, final), weekly news video briefings, as well as a co-curricular activity writing challenge.

Course Objectives

The primary purpose of this course is to provide students with the analytical tools to understand the current state of the global political economy.

In this course students will:

  1. Familiarize oneself with the basic history of IPE.
  2. Gain a good understanding of the global trade system, financial system, and attendant international institutions and banks.
  3. Develop independent, abstract, and critical thinking about the interactions between politics and the economy on a global scale.
  4. Internalize the concepts and theoretical arguments about the international political economy.
  5. Gain the ability to apply international political economic theory to specific cases and evaluate given cases.
  6. Improve their research and writing ability when formulating complex arguments.

Important Information

Before starting this course, please review the following pages:

Additional Course Policies

  1. All times and deadlines are given in United States Eastern Time (ET). Also, please note the Daylight Savings Time change on November 7, 2021.
  2. No incompletes are given.
  3. No make-up opportunities are given.
  4. For weekly news video journals and co-curricular activity report: Late submissions will result in point penalties according to this rule: one day late = -10 %, two days late = -20 %, three days late = -30 %, etc.
  5. For online reading & concept challenges in Respondus LockDown Browser: reading & concept challenges will be open for one week. Once the reading & concept challenge closes at the deadline, it will not be re-opened for you and it will irrevocably count as a zero, if you did not take it before the deadline.
  6. Copying from the textbook or cutting and pasting sections from websites or other reference materials or presenting someone else’s ideas as your own is plagiarism and will not be tolerated and will result in zero (0) points for that assignment. Please review the FIU Plagiarism Prevention Guide. In addition, all work submitted must be original for this class.
  7. This class will utilize the Turnitin originality software—integrated with the LMS.
  8. Papers that are not properly cited will be issued a zero. 
  9. If the instructor is unable to open an attachment, it must be resubmitted within 48 hours or the assignment will be issued a zero.
  10. Always check the uploaded attachment is correct.  After the deadline passes, the content submitted will be used for grading.
  11. Medical emergencies can generally not count as excuses for not submitting assignments, taking tests or posting essays/replies. This is because the assessments (whether they be discussion arena posts, online reading & concept challenges, or written assignments) are open for several days, sometimes weeks each and therefore you will have much leeway in deciding when to take an reading & concept challenge, or submit an assignment. The only exception would be a truly grave medical emergency/accident in which you are hospitalized for several days or weeks. In such case, obtain written documentation and send a scan to instructor.
  12. Textbooks and the purchase thereof are the student’s responsibility. Some article readings will be offered as download online. Any readings from the assigned textbooks will not be made available for download.
  13. There is no extra-credit in this class.
  14. Appointments: I welcome students to contact me by email with questions or email me to make an appointment with me.
  15. The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus should the need arise.

Zoom Video Conference

This class will use Zoom for pre-recorded lectures.

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Proctored Exam Policy

This course does not require proctored exams.

Textbook and Course Materials

GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
INTRO.TO INTERNATL.POLITICAL ECONOMY

Cohn, Theodore H. / Hira, Anil (required)

Routledge, 8th Edition, 2021

ISBN-13: 978-0367512507

Price: $59 (Amazon new/purchase)


Balaam, David N. / Dillman, Bradford (required)

Routledge, 7th Edition, 2018

ISBN-13: 978-1138206991

Price: $42 (Amazon new/purchase)

You may purchase your textbook online at the FIU B&N Bookstore

Expectations of this Course

This is an online course, meaning that most of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same as for a traditional course; in fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills that can make them more demanding for some students.

Students are expected to:

  • Review the how to get started information located in the course content
  • Introduce yourself to the class during the first week by posting a self-introduction in the appropriate discussion forum
  • Take the practice quiz to ensure that your computer is compatible with Canvas
  • Interact online with instructor(s) and peers
  • Review and follow the course calendar
  • Log in to the course several times per week
  • Respond to discussion arenas by the corresponding deadline
  • Respond to emails within three days
  • Submit assignments by the corresponding deadline

The instructor will:

  • Log in to the course several times per week
  • Respond to discussion arenas within four business days
  • Respond to emails within two business days
  • Grade assignments within four business days of the assignment deadline

Course Communication

Communication in this course will take place via the Canvas Conversations Inbox. Communication in this course will take place via the Canvas Inbox. Check out the Canvas Conversations Tutorial or Canvas Guide to learn how to communicate with your instructor and peers using Announcements, Discussions, and the Inbox.

Visit our writing resources page for more information on professional writing and technical communication skills

 

Weekly News Video Journal

Keep in mind that your weekly news journal entries will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post.

Each news video journal submission will count for 2 points of your overall class grade for a total of 26 points of your overall class grade. There are thirteen instances in which you may submit.

The first part of this weekly assignment is identifying and posting a weblink of a news article related to current global political economy in your personal news journal.

The second part of this assignment is recording and posting a two- to three-minute video using Canvas’s built-in media recorder to your news journal. Within this two- to three-minute video, you (1) summarize in your own words the news article’s content (do not read it word-by-word), (2) explain the relevance to this class or general importance of this news to IPE, and (3) give your own opinion about this news.

Items to consider when writing/recording your discussion:

  • Current news: Choose a news which is not older than one (1) week from the date that it is due. After all, the fact that “news” is “new” is what makes it news.
  • Reputable source: Choose a news source which is reputable. That could be anything from The Economist, Financial Times, The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC News, CNN, Independent, Der Spiegel/English, The Guardian, The Telegraph or the like. Any English-language source is acceptable—as long as it is reputable and a weblink exists for it. Choose a news source which is reputable.
  • Critical thinking: There is evidence that the student has adequately analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated the news article.
  • Video Content: (1) summarize in your own words the news article’s content (do not read it word-by-word), (2) explain the relevance to this class or general importance of this news to IPE, and (3) give your own opinion about this news.
  • Length: Your video needs to be a minimum two (2) to a maximum three (3) minutes long.
  • Guidelines: First submit your news article’s weblink, then separately submit your recorded video using Canvas's built-in media recorder.
  • Late submission is subject to the deduction policy specified above under “Policies.”

Rubric:

 

Weekly News Video Journal Rubric

Points Possible

1.25 points

0.55 points

0.3 points

0 points

Weekly News Video Journal Entry

 

Excellent video entry. Demonstrates mastery of the topic. Masterful analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the news article. Contains three well-done sections, i.e., summary of news article, relevance to class, and own opinion. Video entry is between 2 and 3 minutes.

A solid effort. Demonstrates an understanding of the topic. Sufficient analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the news article. Contains three good sections, i.e., summary of news article, relevance to class, and own opinion, however one or two may be lacking in quality. Video entry is up to 30 seconds below or above minute limits (1.5 to 2 minutes or 3 to 3.5 minutes).

Video entry demonstrates a weak understanding of the topic, or post is incomplete with respect to required sections and quality thereof. Lacking or sloppy analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the news article. Response is significantly short or in excess of time limits (1 to 1.5 minutes or 3.5 to 4 minutes). 

Post does not demonstrate an understanding of the topic, is off-topic, or no video entry made at all, or essay is not the first post made to the discussion arena. 

Points Possible

0.5 points

0.45 points

0.2 points

0 points

Selection & Presentation Style

News article presented on is well selected and not older than one week from due date. Topic presented on has not been selected by the student prior to the post, i.e., it is not a repeat topic. Mastery of presentation skills. Professional language. Video posted embedded or as web link.

News article is an acceptable selection. Topic may have been presented on by the student but represents a significant update to the topic. Good presentation skills. Acceptable use of language.

News article selection mediocre, i.e., may not be fully related to IPE. Topic is a repeat topic and has been presented on by the student before without representing a significant update. Less than good presentation skills. Colloquial use of language.

Student does not select and present a news article, or news article is older than one week from the due date or video posted as an attached file instead of embedded or as web link.

Points Possible

0.25 points

N/A

N/A

0 points

Mechanics: Weblink

Student posts weblink of the news article they are presenting on.

N/A

N/A

Student omits weblink post of news article they are presenting on.classmate has been made.

Total Points possible per question

2 points

1 point

0.5 points

0 points

***Lateness policy: As per lateness policy specified in the syllabus, a post that is one day late incurs -0.2 points deduction; two days late -0.4 points deduction; three days late -0.6 points deduction; etc. pp.; up to nine days late -1.8 points deduction—in addition to any point deductions necessary through regular grading. (posts 10 days late would incur the full 2 point deduction and, thus, would count as ‘zero.’)

Assessments

There will be THREE ONLINE READING & CONCEPT CHALLENGES (with Respondus Lockdown Browser). The first online reading & concept challenge (quiz) counts 14 points, the second online reading & concept challenge (midterm) counts 20 points, and the third online reading & concept challenge (final) counts 30 points of your overall class grade for a total of 64 points of your overall class grade. 

Assessment Expectations:

  • Complete the three online reading & concept challenges (Quiz, Midterm & Final) within this course.
  • Relevant material for reading & concept challenges are PowerPoints, Lectures, and—first and foremost—assigned required readings. Reading which are merely recommended are not directly relevant as reading & concept challenge material—unless they have been mentioned, summarized or introduced via lectures or quests, for example (nevertheless, you do not have to read them but just know what was mentioned about them, if they came up in lectures/quests).
  • The reading & concept challenges are cumulative, meaning that they cover all material previously learned, though they have a focus on the material learned after the last test.
  • Reading & concept challenges will consist of multiple-choice questions.
  • The assessment duration is 60 minutes for the quiz and midterm, 120 minutes for the final.
  • If you access the reading & concept challenge last minute then you will not receive the full amount of time on the challenge. Therefore, it is recommended to take the reading & concept challenge the latest two hours before the deadline. Please note that the assessment will close permanently after the deadline, so starting it late is not possible.
  • Result details:
    • Students will be able to see their results after the availability period has ended (i.e. all of the questions and answers).
  • The expected turnaround time for grades on online reading & concept challenges is immediately after the submission deadline.

Respondus Lockdown Browser

Co-Curricular Activity Writing Challenge

Students will be required to attend a co-curricular activity or event, visit a museum exhibition, or watch a movie or documentary with relevance to IPE during the course of the semester, but no later than November 15. The instructor will announce eligible activities for this assignment to students on a regular basis—the choice is the student’s what in particular they would like to undertake. Whichever co-curricular activity is undertaken, a three and a half to four (3.5 - 4) page (1,000 - 1,200 words) report is required to be written by the student describing their co-curricular experience (summary), how they feel about it (personal opinion), and how it relates to this class (academic relevance). Submission is within one week of attending the co-curricular event, however, no later than the November 15th deadline (whichever comes first), through a Turnitin Dropbox. This assignment will count for ten (10) points of your class grade of 100 points.

 

  • The co-curricular activity report cannot exceed 1,200 words. (Over 1,200 words would be deductions from the guideline rubric; the paper should not have less than 1,000 words but under no circumstances more than 1,200 words). The page count is secondary—word count determines whether this requirement of 1,000 to 1,200 words is met, but you should expect a paper length about 3.5 - 4 page
  • Format: Normal margins, 12 pt Times New Roman (or Palatino Linotype) font, double spacing, no extra spaces between paragraphs.
  • Quotations: Likely you will not need quotation as you are using your own words to paraphrase an experience. If you do want to quote, please stick with one quotation type, choose the one you feel most comfortable with/you are used to, i.e., either MLA, or APA, or Chicago, or Turabian—but stick with it/be consistent.
  • Activity Choice: The co-curricular activity has to do with a topic within IPE (economic crisis, financial crisis, trade dispute, hunger, illicit market, etc.). 
  • Final Report: The co-curricular activity paper is due through the Turnitin dropbox on the Modules section of Canvas. This means it will be checked whether it is original in terms of compared to the world-wide-web, scholarly outlets, and reviews submitted with Turnitin—but also compared to your peers in this class. This is an individual assignment and you must work on it by yourself, i.e., it cannot be identical or similar to another student’s submitted paper.
  • Late submission is subject to the deduction policy specified above under “Policies/ Additional Course Policies.” However, 10 days after the initial deadline submission will close permanently and no further late submission will be possible after that date.
  • Grading timeframe is about one week after the submission deadline.
  • Review the detailed Turnitin instructions on how to submit your assignments and how to review the Grademark comments (feedback) from your professor.

Rubric:

Co-Curricular Activity Writing Challenge Rubric for scoring the Co-Curricular Writing Challenge Report out of 10 points.

Co-Curricular Activity Writing Challenge Rubric

Points Possible

6 points

4.5 points

3 points

0 points

Critical Evaluation

 

Shows mastery of the material. Synthesizes and integrates learned material. Makes interesting and insightful connections and contrasts. Activity and topic chosen is highly relevant to assignment.

Shows general grasp of the material but portions of paper may be lacking. Synthesizes and integrates most but not all of the learned material. Activity and topic chosen is somewhat relevant to assignment.

Shows little understanding of the material. Barely addresses relevant background material, no effort to draw connections among materials. Activity and topic chosen is irrelevant or marginally relevant to assignment. 

Post does not demonstrate an understanding of the topic, is off-topic, or no response to the question(s) has been made. 

Points Possible

2 points

1.5 points

1 point

0 points

Organization & Style

Organized neatly into three paragraphs (summary, relevance, opinion). Sophisticated transitional devices. Headings or subheadings logically placed. No spelling or grammatical errors. 

Some problems with clarity or topic. Uses fairly sophisticated transitional devices. Generally follows directions but one or two problems with formatting. Some poorly placed or obscure headings. Well written but may contain few (1-3) errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Lacks coherence, few or no transitional devices. Missing a topic or clear idea. Information presented in unrelated bits and pieces. Fails generally to follow directions, sloppy. Odd or no formatting. Little or no sections or subheadings. Contains numerous errors (4-7) in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Many (7+) errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, or no response has been made.

Point Possible

2 points

1.5 points

1 point

0 points

Follows Guidelines

Meets all guidelines for word length, web link inclusion, inclusion of summary, opinion and relevance sections, full and accurate citation of source(s), where applicable. Deadlines met. Report word count between 1,000 and 1,200 words.

Meets some guidelines and does not meet others for word length, accurate citation or inclusion of sections. Report word count up to 50 words below or above word count limits (i.e., word count of 950-1,000 or 1,200-1,250 words).

Delivers assignment but fails to follow guidelines for word length, inclusion of summary, opinion and relevance sections or accurate citation. Report word count 50-100 words below or above word count limits (i.e., word count of 900-950 or 1,250-1,300 words).

Deadlines not met, or word count 900 words or above 1,300 words.

Total Points possible per question

10 points

7.5 points

5 points

0 points

***Lateness policy: As per lateness policy specified in the syllabus, a post that is one day late incurs -1 point deduction; two days late -2 points deduction; three days late -3 points deduction; etc. pp.; up to nine days late -9 points deduction—in addition to any point deductions necessary through regular grading. (posts 10 days late would incur the full 10 points deduction and, thus, would count as ‘zero.’)

Important Dates and Deadlines

 

Weekly News Video Journal Entries:

  • September 13, 2021 – First weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • September 20, 2021 – Second weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • September 27, 2021 – Third weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • October 4, 2021 – Fourth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • October 11, 2021 – Fifth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • October 18, 2021 – Sixth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • October 25, 2021 – Seventh weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • November 1, 2021 – Eighth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EDT.
  • November 8, 2021 – Ninth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EST (Eastern Daylight Savings Time [EDT] Ends on November 7, 2021, Eastern Standard Time [EST] Resumes; make sure you have changed your clocks, or to note the changed time difference if you are taking this course remotely from a country without DST).
  • November 15, 2021 – Tenth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EST.
  • November 22, 2021 – Eleventh weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EST.
  • November 29, 2021 – Twelfth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EST.
  • December 6, 2021 – Thirteenth weekly news journal entry by 11:59pm EST

 

Reading & Concept Challenges:

  • October 4, 2021 – First online reading & concept challenge (Quiz) due by 11:59pm EDT.
  • November 1, 2021 – Second online reading & concept challenge (Midterm) due by 11:59pm EDT.
  • December 10, 2021 – Third online reading & concept challenge (Final) due by 11:59pm EST (Eastern Daylight Savings Time [EDT] Ends on November 7, 2021, Eastern Standard Time [EST] Resumes; make sure you have changed your clocks, or to note the changed time difference if you are taking this course remotely from a country without DST).

 

Assignments:

  • November 15, 2021 – Co-Curricular Activity Writing Challenge due by 11:59pm EDT (Eastern Daylight Savings Time [EDT] Ends on November 7, 2021, Eastern Standard Time [EST] Resumes; make sure you have changed your clocks, or to note the changed time difference if you are taking this course remotely from a country without DST).

 

University Deadlines:

  • August 30, 2021 – Last day to add courses; last day to drop courses or withdraw from the University without incurring financial liability for Tuition and Fees
  • September 6, 2021 – Labor Day Holiday (university closed)
  • November 1, 2021 – Deadline to drop a course with a DR grade; Deadline to withdraw from the University with a WI grade
  • November 11, 2021 – Veterans Day Holiday Observed (university closed)
  • November 25, 2021 – Thanksgiving Holiday (university closed)
  • November 26-27, 2021 – Thanksgiving Break (university closed)
  • December 6-11, 2021 – Finals’ Week
  • December 16, 2021 – Grades available on my.fiu.edu by 2:00am

Grading

Course Requirements Number of Items Points
Weekly News Video Journal Entries (2 points each) 13 26
Reading & Concept Quiz Challenge 1 14
Reading & Concept Midterm Challenge 1 20
Co-Curricular Activity Writing Challenge 1 10
Reading & Concept Final Challenge 1 30
TOTAL 21 100

 

Letter Range Letter Range Letter Range
A 95 or above B 83 - 86 C 70 - 76
A- 90 - 94 B- 80 - 82 D 60 - 69
B+ 87 - 89 C+ 77 - 79 F 59 or less