This course offers an in-depth consideration of some of the most important ideas and texts in the field of (international) political economy.  It is concerned both with description and explanation of the contemporary global political economic system and with the classic works upon which current analytical perspectives are based.  An underlying theme throughout the semester will be the moral dimension of political economic relations.  We begin the semester with a thorough review of the nature, analysis, and substance of the field of international political economy.  We then turn our attention to examples of two of the main theoretical perspectives on the field.  We conclude with a classic historical critique of unfettered market capitalism that raises fundamental questions about the contemporary global political economy.

Texts:  There are four required books for this seminar.

Robert Gilpin, Global Political Economy: Understanding the International Economic Order.
Adam Smith, The Essential Adam Smith.
Karl Marx, Selected Writings.
Karl Polanyi, The Great Transformation.

Requirements:  During the semester each student will be required to write a series of three papers on topics related to the reading assignments.  Each of these evaluative essays (approximately five to seven double-spaced, typewritten pages in length) will be worth 25 percent of the student's course grade.  The remaining 25 percent of the course grade will be based upon seminar participation, i.e., periodic presentations of assigned readings, discussion, and attendance.  Failure to complete any course assignment will result in a failing grade for the entire course.

Grading:  Each course assignment will be graded on a 100-point scale.  The standard grading scale will be:

                100-90  A      69-60         D
                89-80    B      59 or less    F
                79-70    C

The course will not be graded on a curve.

Attendance:  On-time attendance at each seminar meeting is mandatory.  Roll will be taken. Excused absences must be cleared with the instructor in advance.  Each unexcused absence will result in the deduction of 7 points from the student’s course grade.  It also is expected that students will read carefully all assigned materials for each class session.  Students must come to class prepared to discuss the readings.

If you are scheduled to present material in class and are unable to do so for a legitimate, documented reason, you must notify the instructor by no later than 10:00 AM on the day of the class.  Failure to do so shall be construed as failure to complete a course assignment and will result in a failing grade for the entire course.

Late Paper Policy:  Permission to submit a late paper will be granted only under very specific or dire circumstances.

1. Any student who will miss a paper submission deadline due to required participation in a University-sanctioned activity, e.g., membership on a University athletic team in scheduled competition, must notify the instructor in advance of the absence and provide documentation of the absence at that time.  The date and time of the deadline extension for submission of the paper will be determined at the time that the student informs the instructor of the impending absence.

2. If a student is unable to submit a paper by its deadline due to an emergency, the student or their responsible designee must notify the instructor in person or by telephone within 24 hours of the paper submission deadline.  E-mail notification is unacceptable.

3. Proper documentation of the circumstances surrounding the student's absence must be provided at the time that the student turns in the paper after an extension of the submission deadline.   Failure to provide proper documentation shall be construed as the student's failure to complete the relevant course assignment and in accordance with the policy stated on the course syllabus will result in the student receiving a failing grade for the entire course.  Examples of proper documentation include the following:

·  for absences due to medical reasons, a doctor's excuse specifically covering the time during which the paper was due;

·  for absences due to funeral attendance, a copy of the relevant obituary;

·  for court appearances, copies of court documents showing the required date and time of appearance;

·  for automobile accidents, copies of relevant police reports and towing bills showing the exact date of the accident.

4. Student procrastination and consequent logistical problems, e.g., "long" waiting periods for use of equipment in on-campus computer labs, "last minute" virus attacks and hard drive failures, and "unforeseen" depletions of printer ink, do not constitute grounds for extension of the paper submission deadline.  Finish your paper well in advance of the deadline!

5. Any exception or change to this policy shall be at the sole and final discretion of the instructor.

Copyright:  All teaching materials, lectures, and paper assignments are copyright © 2004 by Charles Dannehl.  All rights are reserved.   No person may record any class session, by electronic or other similar means, without the express written permission of the instructor.

Anticipated Schedule:

Week 1 (1/24) -- Course Introduction

Week 4 (2/14) -- Review of International Political Economy II
                                        Reading:  Gilpin, chaps. 7-11

Week 5 (2/21) -- Review of International Political Economy III
                                        Reading:  Gilpin, chaps. 12-15
                                        [Evaluative Essay #1 assigned]

Week 6 (2/28) -- Reading Day

Week 7 (3/7) -- Liberalism: Introduction and Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
                                        Reading:  Smith, pp. 1-11 and 57-147
                                        [Evaluative Essay #1 due in class]

Week 8 (3/14) -- Liberalism: Smith's The Wealth of Nations and List's Rejoinder
                                        Reading:  Smith, pp. 149-320;
                                                       List, "Political and Cosmopolitical Economy"
                                                         (on course web site)
                                        [Evaluative Essay #2 assigned]

Week 9 (3/28) -- Reading Day

Week 10 (4/4) -- Marxism: Introduction and Writings I
                                        Reading:  Marx, pp. ix-xxxv, 40-97, and 102-186

Week 11 (4/11) -- Marxism: Writings II
                                        Reading:  Marx, pp. 187-300 and 315-338
                                        [Evaluative Essay #2 due in class]

Week 12 (4/18) -- Reading Day

Week 14 (5/2) -- The Market: A Critique II
                                        Reading:  Polanyi, pp. 136-268
                                        [Evaluative Essay #3 due in my office by 12:00 NOON on Wednesday, May 9^th]

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