Study of the changing relationship between political and economic power in international relations.

This course is restricted to IRG majors. For IRG program information please contact Dr. Michael Anderson, Director.

The concluding, capstone seminar for the International Relations & Global Studies major is designed to give you an opportunity to draw on your program of studies to prepare a rigorous analysis of a specific aspect of contemporary world affairs.  You have the choice of two formats.  One is a tightly organized research paper; the other is structured as a policy paper directed at a senior decision-maker in a national government or international organization. 

It is profitable to all to set a number of themes for the seminar.  That enhances exchanges and allows for collaborative projects. Still, students will be given reasonable latitude in selecting topics that interest them and/or on which they have acquired specialized knowledge.  We will examine closely the nature of the policy paper and its organization as the semester progresses.  The seminar paper – in either format -  should be viewed as representative of your abilities at this stage in your career and, as such, an effective way of presenting yourself and your abilities.

 The following is a short list of possible themes: democracy promotion as an instrument of foreign policy; the strains among three standards to assess global economic interdependence: growth, equity and stability; the ethical dimensions of the use of force; the interplay of domestic politics and foreign policy process/substance.

This course is restricted to IRG majors. For IRG program information please contact Dr. Michael Anderson, Director.

The concluding, capstone seminar for the International Relations & Global Studies major is designed to give you an opportunity to draw on your program of studies to prepare a rigorous analysis of a specific aspect of contemporary world affairs.  You have the choice of two formats.  One is a tightly organized research paper; the other is structured as a policy paper directed at a senior decision-maker in a national government or international organization. 

It is profitable to all to set a number of themes for the seminar.  That enhances exchanges and allows for collaborative projects. Still, students will be given reasonable latitude in selecting topics that interest them and/or on which they have acquired specialized knowledge.  We will examine closely the nature of the policy paper and its organization as the semester progresses.  The seminar paper – in either format -  should be viewed as representative of your abilities at this stage in your career and, as such, an effective way of presenting yourself and your abilities.

 The following is a short list of possible themes: democracy promotion as an instrument of foreign policy; the strains among three standards to assess global economic interdependence: growth, equity and stability; the ethical dimensions of the use of force; the interplay of domestic politics and foreign policy process/substance.

Study of the changing relationship between political and economic power in international relations.

GOV 360N: International Political Economy

Dr. Di Wang

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of international political economy (IPE), an interdisciplinary field related to international politics and international economics. It examines how domestic and international politics influence the economic relations between countries. Why do governments promote or oppose globalization? Why do countries cooperate economically in some situations but not others? Why do countries adopt bad economic policies? We will address these questions and others with a focus on the policies of international trade (the flow of goods), foreign direct investment (the flow and location of production), and financial and exchange rate policies (the flow of capital). While no prerequisites are required, a familiarity with macroeconomics is strongly recommended for success in this course. 

Course Objectives

The course aims at (1) providing substantive knowledge on the political economy of international trade, investment, and finance and (2) developing analytical skills of students to explain cause-effect relationships in international political economy and to assess causal arguments empirically.  As such, course reading materials are theoretical or empirical (case study or statistical analysis) in nature.  The course also includes debate sessions that help students (3) develop presentation skills.

Required Textbook

The following book is required for this course and available from the University Coop Bookstore. All other readings will be made available to students through Canvas.

Oatley, T. H. (2012). International political economy. Boston: Longman.

Grading Policies

IRG 378 Capstone Research in International Relations and Global Studies

Topic: International Political Economy

Dr. Di Wang

Course Description

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions, writing workshops and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Grading Policies       

Readings

No textbook is required for this course. However, we will cover a number of important papers in the field which will be available from Canvas.

IRG 378 Capstone Research in International Relations and Global Studies

Topic: International Political Economy

Dr. Di Wang

Course Description

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions, writing workshops and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Grading Policies       

Readings

No textbook is required for this course. However, we will cover a number of important papers in the field which will be available from Canvas.

GOV 360N: Globalization and the Nation State

Dr. Di Wang

Course Description

This course examines the evolution of the world economy from the late nineteenth century to the present. Our purpose is not only to describe the historical trends in the international economy but also to explain the causes and the consequences of these trends. In particular, we will provide a detailed overview of the impact of the global economy on domestic politics from a historical perspective. Students come away with the basic tools they need to understand the global economy and the politics of international economic relations.

The history of the modern world economy divides into three periods. The Golden Age (1870-1913) was a period of extensive globalization; in some respects, nations were more economically integrated then than now. The Golden Age came to an end with the Interwar Interregnum (1919-1939), which saw nations abandon the world economy and turn inward behind high protectionist barriers and restrictions on international capital flows. Postwar Globalization (1945- ) saw the gradual reemergence of the world economy, a trend that is now threatened by politics, anti-globalization forces, and crises in global finance.

Grading Policies

Required Textbook

The following books are required for this course and available from the University Coop Bookstore. All other readings will be made available to students through Canvas.

• Frieden, Jeffry A. 2006. Global Capitalism: Its Fall and Rise in the Twentieth Century. W.W. Norton. ISBN 0393058085
• Frieden, Jeffry A., David A. Lake and J. Lawrence Broz. 2010. International Political Economy: Perspectives on Global Power and Wealth. 5th ed. W.W. Norton. ISBN 978-0- 393-93505-9

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of international political economy (IPE), an interdisciplinary field related to international politics and international economics. It examines how domestic and international politics influence the economic relations between countries. Why do governments promote or oppose globalization? Why do countries cooperate economically in some situations but not others? Why do countries adopt bad economic policies? We will address these questions and others with a focus on the policies of international trade (the flow of goods), foreign direct investment (the flow and location of production), and financial and exchange rate policies (the flow of capital). While no prerequisites are required, a familiarity with macroeconomics is strongly recommended for success in this course.  

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions, writing workshops and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Grading Policies       

Readings

No textbook is required for this course. However, we will cover a number of important papers in the field which will be available from Canvas.

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions, writing workshops and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Grading Policies       

Readings

No textbook is required for this course. However, we will cover a number of important papers in the field which will be available from Canvas.

Globalization and the Nation State

Instructor: Dr. Di Wang

Course Description

This course focuses on how economic globalization is shaped by and, in turn, shapes the domestic and international behavior of states. The course splits into three sections. First, we will examine the case for globalization. In this section, we will study the classic arguments about economic globalization and consider the global market from a historical perspective. Second, we will examine the central question of how globalization has been shaped by nation states. We will pay particular attention to why countries have liberalized foreign trade, removed barriers to foreign investment, and reduced the state’s role in the domestic economy since the 1970s. Third, we will examine in some depth the central question of how globalization has impacted nation states, and consider how countries have dealt with the new challenges that have emerged in this era of economic globalization. The course is intended for upper-level undergraduates who have taken previous courses in international relations, comparative politics, or political economy.

Grading Policy

Texts (tentative)

Jeffry A. Frieden. Global Capitalism: Its Fall and Rise in the Twentieth Century. (New York: W.W. Norton, 2007).

Journal articles in Canvas.

Capstone Research

Instructor: Dr.Di Wang

Course Description

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Grading Policies

Readings

Ballenger, Bruce P. The Curious Researcher (8^th Edition). Allyn and Bacon, 2014.

There will also be several articles as required readings for each week. They will be made available to students through Canvas.

International Political Economy

Instructor: Dr.Di Wang

Prerequisites

While no prerequisites are required, a familiarity with macroeconomics is strongly recommended for success in this course. 

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of international political economy (IPE), an interdisciplinary field related to international politics and international economics. It examines how domestic and international politics influence the economic relations between countries. Why do governments promote or oppose globalization? Why do countries cooperate economically in some situations but not others? Why do countries adopt bad economic policies? We will address these questions and others with a focus on the policies of international trade (the flow of goods), foreign direct investment (the flow and location of production), and financial and exchange rate policies (the flow of capital).

Grading Policies

Required Textbook

The following book is required for this course and available from the University Coop Bookstore. All other readings will be made available to students through Canvas.

Oatley, T. H. (2012). International political economy. Boston: Longman.

IRG: Capstone Research, IPE

Dr. Di Wang

Course Description:

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Grading Policy:

Required Text:

Ballenger, Bruce. The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers. 8th Ed. Pearson: Longman: 2009. ISBN: 0-205-66611-6. 

IRG: Capstone Research, IPE

Dr. Di Wang

Course Description:

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Grading Policy:

Required Text:

Ballenger, Bruce. The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers. 8th Ed. Pearson: Longman: 2009. ISBN: 0-205-66611-6. 

The University of Texas at Austin

Capstone Research: International Relations and Global Studies

International Political Economy

IRG 378

Spring 2016 Course Description

Course Description

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Required Textbook

The following book is required for this course and available from the University Coop Bookstore. All other readings will be made available to students through Canvas.

Kate L. Turabian. A manual for writers of research papers, theses and dissertations, 8th ed. (University of Chicago Press, 2013).

Grading Policies

Grade component                                                Percent

Class attendance/participation                                       10

Discussion leaders                                                        10

Term paper - paper proposal                                          10

Term paper – literature review                                       20

Term paper - final paper                                                30

Oral presentation                                                          20

Total                                                                          100

The University of Texas at Austin 

Capstone Research: International Relations and Global Studies

International Political Economy

IRG 378

Spring 2016 Course Description

Course Description

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions and individual consultation, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary international political economy issue ranging from major trade disputes, global financial crisis, to debates about the impact of globalization and economic liberalization on environment and social protection.

Required Textbook 

The following book is required for this course and available from the University Coop Bookstore. All other readings will be made available to students through Canvas.

Kate L. Turabian. A manual for writers of research papers, theses and dissertations, 8th ed. (University of Chicago Press, 2013).

Grading Policies

Grade component                                                Percent

Class attendance/participation                                       10

Discussion leaders                                                        10

Term paper - paper proposal                                          10

Term paper – literature review                                       20

Term paper - final paper                                                30

Oral presentation                                                          20

Total                                                                          100

GOV: International Political Economy

Di Wang

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of international political economy (IPE), an interdisciplinary field related to international politics and international economics.  Some exemplary IPE issues include the management and openness of international economy, the determinants of foreign economic policy making (trade, foreign exchange, capital control, etc), the bargaining between multinational corporations (MNCs) and host countries, and the politics of economic development.  IPE examines the interaction between politics and economics at the international level as well as between the international and domestic levels, involving various political and economic actors (governments, MNCs, interest groups, as well as individuals). 

IRG: Capstone Research, IPE

Di Wang

Course Description:

This upper-level research seminar fulfills part of the requirement for the International Relations and Global Studies major.  Through readings, weekly discussions and individual consultations, this seminar provides students the opportunity to produce a significant paper of original research on a topic dealing with a contemporary global issue relating to international political economy, including political and economic growth, US foreign policy, and international organizations. Globalization will provide the overarching perspective into these related issues.

Required Text:

Turabian, Kate L. Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations. 8th Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 2013.