International Political Economy

Summer School modules are designed to be intensive, intellectually-stimulating short courses. They are taught by King’s academics in academic disciplines where King's has expertise. Classes are very international with students from all around the globe learning together.

Each module is 150 study hours comprising intensive teaching, independent study and group work and is examined to university standards. Comparable to an in-semester 15-credit King’s undergraduate module and therefore typically awarded 3-4 US credits or 7.5 ECTS, many summer students ask their home institution to award them external credit for their King's summer module to use towards their degree programme when they return home.

FEE DISCOUNTS

One session (2 weeks): £2,400 

Two sessions (4 weeks): £4,800 £4,395*

*Fee valid for applications for two sessions received by 10 May 2024. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or promotions. Subject to availability at the time of application.

This module presents an overview of International Political Economy (IPE). It introduces students to the disciplinary foundations of IPE as well as the main theoretical approaches, concepts and substantive issues. The module will help students understand the relationship between power and wealth and the interplay of economics and politics within the hierarchies of the global economy and international state-system. In particular, it examines the political and economic conditions that give rise to cooperation and conflict among sovereign states as well as bargaining between rich and poor countries, under the present conditions of economic interdependence, international division of labour, international trade, and the global footprints of multinational corporations through Global Value Chains (GVCs).

The first part of the module addresses both mainstream and critical theoretical approaches, locating them in the historical development of Political Economy as an intellectual tradition seeking to grasp the dynamics of the global economy. This part also considers theories used to explain the evolution of international regimes in the world system and understand the post-World War II transformation of the global economy. Building on this theoretical foundation, the second part of the module is devoted to six issues including: trade, production, money and finance, climate crisis, extractivism, and inequality and poverty. This section of the module will also introduce students to the ‘international political economy of everyday life’, an approach which takes everyday commodities (e.g., coffee) and practices (e.g. consumer borrowing) as entry points to the study of International Political Economy (IPE).

By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 4 module and in particular will be able to demonstrate the following subject specific skills:

• an ability to identify and analyse key issues of globalization as pertaining to international cooperation between states, social groups, and private firms, and relate them to broader and contemporary developmental, social, cultural and ideological debates.
• an ability to assess major political economic theories applicable to the above issues, with a critical awareness of the hierarchical power relations in the in the post-WWII era of the global economy.
• a set of skills for applying theories of international political economy to different regional and historical contexts, while appreciating common challenges of development, crisis and economic inequality.

The King's College London Undergraduate Summer School is open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.

You should ensure that you are eligible to apply before you submit your application by checking our academic and English language entry criteria.

• Individual Essay: 100%

TBC

Taught on-campus 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday