Module Identifier |
IP35820 |
Module Title |
CAPITALISM AND IMPERIALISM |
Academic Year |
2004/2005 |
Co-ordinator |
Dr Jan E Selby |
Semester |
Intended for use in future years |
Next year offered |
N/A |
Next semester offered |
N/A |
Course delivery |
Lecture | 18 Hours 18 x 1 hour |
|
Seminars / Tutorials | 5 Hours 5 x 1 hour |
Assessment |
Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 70% |
Semester Assessment | Essay: 1 x 2,000 word | 30% |
|
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to :
1. Discuss the historical origins of capitalism
2. Describe, analyse and evaluate the main theoretical perspectives on political economy
3. Describe, analyse and evaluate the main theoretical perspectives on imperialism
4. Discuss the contested relationships between capitalism and imperialism
5. Identify and explain historical developments and transformations in world capitalism
6. Compare classical and contemporary forms of imperialism
7. Demonstrate, through written work and in seminars, an ability to apply theoretical perspectives on capitalism and imperialism to contemporary issues in global political economy and international relations
8. Identify and engage with contrasting normative perspectives on capitalism and imperialism
Brief description
This module aims to provide students with a broad understanding both of the historical development and contemporary character of capitalism and imperialism, and of contending (especially liberal, Marxian and post-structuralist) theoretical approaches to capitalist and imperialist development.
Content
The origins and nature of capitalism: liberal, mercantilist, Weberian and Marxian perspectives. Issues in the analysis of capitalism: individuals and classes, states and markets, monopoloy and choice, commodification.
Classical European imperialism: geopolitics, representations, and the expansion of capitalism.
Contemporary global capitalism: North-South relations, capitalism in the periphery, competition and coordination in contemporary inter-capitalist relations, global capitalism and the transformation of the capitalist state.
Case studies in contemporary global capitalism: the global political economy of finance, oil and the environment.
The 'new imperialism': contending perspectives.
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Susan Strange (1994) States and Markets
Pinter Press
Robert Cox (1995) Approaches to World Order
Cambridge
Kees Van der Pijl (1998) Transnational Classes and International Relations
Routledge
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6