Political Economy Courses
POLECON 157 The Political Economy of Finance
Prof. Robert D Fannion
Tu,Th 5:00 pm – 6:29 pm
Class #: 27685
4 units
This course examines the history, theory, and operation of the American financial system. Key questions we will consider include: What is money? What is finance? How did the financial system evolve historically in the American context? To answer these questions, we will first look to histories and then canonical theorizations before turning to the operation of money and the nuts-and-bolts of American financial markets. Finally, we examine the global financial crisis of 2008 and its aftermath in light of these considerations. The goal of this course is for students to develop a basic understanding of the historical development, theoretical underpinnings, and actual practice of the American financial system.
POLECON 100 Classical Theories of Political Economy
Prof. David Singh Grewal
Tu,Th 3:30 pm – 4:59 pm
Class #: 27197
4 units
One-semester lecture course offered each semester. In-depth analysis of the classical political economy literature, including such authors as Locke, Smith, Marx, Mills, and Weber to Veblen and Polanyi. Strong emphasis is placed on providing appropriate background for understanding the evolution of the literature that has emanated from the various social science disciplines which forms the basis of modern political economy.
POLECON C45 Survey of World History
Prof. Trevor W Jackson
Tu,Th 9:30 am – 10:59 am
Class #: 27595
4 units
This course focuses on the history of global interaction, with a particular emphasis on the relationships between states and societies. Though it begins with a brief exploration of antiquity, it emphasizes world developments since the 15th century. The purpose of the course is to gain a better understanding of the rise and decline of states, empires, and international trading systems. Taking a panoramic view of the last 500 years, it explores the ways in which disparate places came closer together, even while it seeks to explain how those places maintained their own trajectories in the face of outside intervention.
POLECON 101 Contemporary Theories of Political Economy
Prof. Crystal Chang
Tu,Th 9:30 am – 10:59 am
Class #: 27620
4 units
This course is designed to introduce students to modern theoretical works of central intellectual debates on 20th century international political economy. The course explores alternative explanations for inequality in economic development among nations and economic declines of of the dominate powers. It will also examine tensions between the increasing “globalization” of that economy and continued fragmentation of the international political system in nation-states.
POLECON 106 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
Prof. Mario B Muzzi
Tu,Th 8:00 am – 9:29 am
Class # 24097
4 units
This course is designed as a comprehensive overview of intermediate microeconomic theory. It covers the basic supply and demand model. Topics include consumer choice, choice under uncertainty and information, demand theory, firm, production and cost theory, competitive market theory, imperfect competition, and market failure. The course is structured for majors in Political Economy and other non-economic social science majors.
POLECON 154 Global Trade and Finance
Prof. Mario B Muzzi
Tu,Th 11:00 am – 12:29 pm
Class #: 27783
4 units
This is an interdisciplinary course in international trade and finance focused on the dynamic interaction between economics and politics in the global arena. The course provides students a systematic method of evaluating international economic policies, while developing critical thinking skills through case studies and critical analysis. More specifically, the course focuses on the impact of flows of trade, capital, and people across borders and the role played by: (1) states and their political actors, (2) non-governmental groups, e.g., multinational corporations and labor unions, and (3) domestic and international institutions that all establish the “rules of the game”, in shaping the global economy.
POLECON 150 Advanced Study in Political Economy: Political Economy of the Middle East
Prof. Hicham Alaoui
W 2:00 pm – 4:59 pm
Class #: 23406
4 units
Advanced multidisciplinary research in current issues of political economy and industrialization. Seminars will focus on specific geographical areas or topics with appropriate comparative material included. A major research project is required as well as class presentations. Topics change each semester.
This course explores the political economy of development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It engages three interrelated questions: what types of political regimes and institutions have shaped the historical development of the MENA region since the end of colonialism? What economic strategies and pathways evolved in conjunction with these governing political structures? And, how has this interplay of politics and economics constrained the prospects for growth and prosperity across different societies today? Every week of this course will be devoted to a different theme connected to these questions. Among those weekly topics are historical state formation, authoritarian regimes, late development, oil rentierism, popular mobilization, and globalization, among others. Social dynamics, such as inequality and religion, will factor into our discussions, as will regional crises and wars. In addressing these topics, students will focus on close readings of academic texts, discuss their ideas in class, and complete various written assessments such as response papers and research essays.
Prof. Richard Thomas Ashcroft
M, W, F 12:00 pm – 12:59 pm
Class #: 31400
4 units
This course focuses specifically on the historical context and perspective of the relationship of politics and economics in modern societies. Students are guided through an interdisciplinary survey of the historical experience of peoples and places who have participated in the ongoing great transformation away from agricultural societies to the rise of the industrial state and onto post-industrialism. Each term provides a different perspective of this transformation.
Great Britain and the United States of America have deep-seated political, economic, cultural, and historical ties. As well as having both language and law in common, they share an intellectual heritage and distinctive commitment to individual liberty, free-market economics, and limited government. And at pivotal moments in modern history—most notably both World Wars, but also Korea, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the invasion of Iraq—they have been staunch allies. Yet this “special relationship” has also been marked by conflict and difference. Most obviously during the Wars of Independence and 1812, but also in their varying experiences of (and attitudes towards) religion, race, socialism, and imperialism. Curiously, both nations see themselves as “exceptional” even as they continue to articulate their national identities—in part at least—through comparison to the other. This course will explore the similarities and differences between Great Britain and the United States through examining the relationship between law, political economy, and national identity. We will cover these aspects in turn, looking at each country separately before comparing them, trying to understand their relationships to each other, and thinking about possible ways forward. The course is divided into three main parts, each of which is set out on bCourses and on the syllabus: (1) Core Concepts; (2) Political Economy and Law; and (3); Nation and Empire.
GLOBAL H195 Senior Honors Seminar
Prof. Tiffany L Page
F 9:00 am – 11:59 pm
Class # 19285
4 units
This course is designed as a comprehensive overview of intermediate microeconomic theory. It covers the basic supply and demand model. Topics include consumer choice, choice under uncertainty and information, demand theory, firm, production and cost theory, competitive market theory, imperfect competition, and market failure. The course is structured for majors in Political Economy and other non-economic social science majors.
International Area Studies Courses
IAS C118 Introductory Applied Econometrics
Prof. Sofia B Villas-Boas
Tu, Th 8:00 am – 9:29 am
Class #: 21590
4 units
Formulation of a research hypothesis and definition of an empirical strategy. Regression analysis with cross-sectional and time-series data; econometric methods for the analysis of qualitative information; hypothesis testing. The techniques of statistical and econometric analysis are developed through applications to a set of case studies and real data in the fields of environmental, resource, and international development economics. Students learn the use of a statistical software for economic data analysis.
IAS 157AC Engineering, The Environment, and Society
Prof. Khalid Kadir
Tu, Th 12:30 pm – 1:59 pm
Class #: 21594
4 units
This course engages students at the intersection of environmental justice, social justice, and engineering to explore how problems that are commonly defined in technical terms are at their roots deeply socially embedded. Through partnerships with community-based organizations, students are trained to recognize the socio-political nature of technical problems so that they may approach solutions in ways that prioritize social justice. Topics covered include environmental engineering as it relates to air, water, and soil contamination; race, class, and privilege; expertise; ethics; and engaged citizenship. This course cannot be used to complete any engineering technical unit requirements.