PSCI460 GLOBAL MONEY & POWER SPRING 2019

Class Schedule & Contact Information

Schedule: TUTH 10:30AM – 11:15AM
Location: Markstein Hall 101
Instructor: Dr. Xiaoye She
Email: xshe@csusm.edu
Phone: (760) 750-8229
Office Hours: SBSB 4108, TUTH 1:30PM-2:30PM or by appointment

Please read carefully through the course syllabus below and let the instructor know asap
if you have any question. The instructor reserves all rights to make any necessary
changes to the syllabus any time during the semester. Major changes such as course
schedule adjustments will be announced on Cougar Course and during class.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
“The contemporary international political economy is characterized by unprecedented
levels of multinational production, cross-border financial flows, and international trade. It
is also plagued by increasing political conflict as individuals, groups, classes and
countries clash over the meaning and implications of these economic transactions. The
contradiction between increasing economic integration and the wealth it produces, on the
one hand, and the desire for political control and national autonomy, on the other defines
much of what happens in the global economy.”
-- Jeffery A. Frieden, David A. Lake, and J. Lawrence Broz (2010)
This course provides an overview of major concepts, theories and empirical issues in the
field of international political economy (IPE), an interdisciplinary field that incorporate
perspectives of political science and economics. To understand issues of
interdependence, cooperation, and contention in the contemporary world economy, this
course is designed to equip you with both theoretical tools and empirical knowledge, using
a body of work drawn from international relations, comparative politics, and international
economics. Issues we will explore include trade liberalization, financial integration, global
production and regulation, instabilities and structural adjustments, as well as
controversies around globalization.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this course is to improve your theoretical understanding, critical thinking,
analytical and communication skills in studying and debating historical and contemporary
issues of IPE.
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following
activities:

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 • Identify and describe major concepts and theories of international political
economy
• Provide examples of how state and non-state actors influence global trade, finance
and production in history and today
• Apply and contrast competing theories to interpret and explain historical and
contemporary global economic and political issues
• Construct coherent arguments with strong supporting evidence to assess the
validity of competing IPE theories
• Present these arguments in oral and written forms and discuss their policy
implications
The Global Studies Department has a set of learning outcomes for all of its graduates.
Following completion of the required GBST curriculum students will be able to:
• Describe and explain how their own culture is one of many diverse cultures and
that alternate perceptions and behaviors may be based in cultural differences.
• Analyze world geography, global issues, processes, trends and systems.
• Compare and contrast global cultures (beliefs, values, religions, arts, practices,
and philosophies).
• Interpret and analyze global issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives to
think critically and solve problems.
• Communicate in and use second-language skills (at an intermediate high
proficiency level) in order to gain knowledge of other cultures to extend access to
information, experiences, and understanding.
The Political Science Department has a set of learning outcomes for all of its graduates.
Following completion of the required PSCI curriculum students will be able to:
• Summarize the foundational principles and key concepts of Political Science
• Describe and analyze the roles played by race, ethnicity, gender, and class in
historical and contemporary political environments
• Analyze and evaluate the role of state and non-state actors, institutions and
organizations on policy
• Apply theories, political thought, ideologies, and ideas to historical content and
contemporary empirical realties
• Apply knowledge of research methods to formulate and implement an appropriate
research design to analyze political phenomena.
Utilize effective communication skills to analyze political issues, ideas, and policie
PREREQUISITES
A previous course in international relations or comparative politics is recommended but
not required. Students do not need to have any background knowledge of economics
before this course.

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COURSE FORMAT
This course combines individual components with team-based learning (TBL)
components. Students will work in teams throughout the semester to answer quiz
questions, preparing presentations, and leading issue discussions. The philosophy
behind TBL is that students from various disciplines learn best from actively participating
in collaborative group activities and sharing their knowledge and perspectives across
issue areas. At the beginning of the semester, students will be divided into teams with
approximately 5-6 students on each team. Students will be required to arrive in class well
prepared as individuals AND as teams for assigning readings, videos and activities.
COURSE RESOURCES
A. Assigned Readings:
All assigned readings (other than the textbook) will be available on the CSUSM Cougar
system. Except for Week 1, students are expected to complete ALL weekly readings
BEFORE the class starts on Monday in that given week. You should contact your
instructor well in advance if you have problem access any reading. Not being able to
access the materials in time will not be accepted as an excuse for lack of participation or
late assignments.
B. Required textbook:
• Theodore H. Cohn. 2016. Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice. 7th
Edition. New York: Routledge. (6th edition acceptable)
Please note that you are expected to have Cohn’s text at hand throughout the semester.
Since some students may need a week or so to acquire the textbook, the first chapter will
be posted on Cougar Course. There are slight differences between 6th and 7th edition,
though you may use either editions for this course. You are encouraged to search online
for affordable options (used 6th edition is also available at university bookstore).
The following open textbook written by Timothy Lim (a CSU Los Angeles faculty) also
provides a good overview to IPE theories and key topics, and is thus recommended as
an additional reference at no cost:
• Timothy C. Lim. International Political Economy: An Introduction to Approaches,
Regimes, and Issues. Saylor Foundation.
https://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/International%20Political%20Economy%20-
%20An%20Introduction%20to%20Approaches,%20Regimes,%20and%20Issues.
pdf

C. Online resources:
During this course, students are expected to stay abreast of current IPE such as global
trade talks, issues of central banking, trends of global capital market, and efforts to
recover international and domestic economy and to prevent future financial crises. These
current events will provide information for your class discussions and assignments.

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The best way of informing yourself about current events is by reading (in print or on-line)
a newspaper or magazine with good international coverage and a political economy
section. Other then major U.S. news outlets that you prefer, you should check at least
one of the following international sources:
l The Economist: http://www.economist.com/ (requires subscription)
l Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/ (requires subscription)
l BBC: https://www.bbc.com/ (free)
l Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/ (free)
l The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/ (free)
We will also use Council on Foreign Relations backgrounders throughout the semester:
https://www.cfr.org/explainers.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
l Attendance and Contributions (15%)
Students are expected to attend every class and actively participate in group and whole-
class discussions. When attendance is low, the instructor may distribute attendance sheet
at the beginning of class. Students who are late 15 minutes or more will be considered
as absent from that class.
Attendance is NOT equal to contributions. You should come to class having completed
all assigned readings and be ready to discuss relevant topics. There will be pop-up
quizzes during class meetings, taking the form of short reflection/argument paragraphs
on readings and in-class discussions. Your contribution to the class will be measured by
both discussion participation and the quality of your written reflections.
l Reading Responses (15%)
Students are expected to complete weekly reading responses on Cougar Course
BEFORE beginning of class each week starting Week 2. The goal of this assignment is
to build up your critical thinking and writing skills through incremental steps, and to
prepare you for the midterm and final essays. Please note that a reading response is NOT
simply summaries of weekly readings. Instead, you are expected to identify a key issue
in the readings assigned, and critically evaluate the issue from competing theoretical
perspectives. Your reading response therefore should be 1-2 paragraphs that contains:
1) one sentence central argument; 2) why is the issue important; 3) your supporting
evidence/example; 4) potential counterargument and rebuttal.
l Individual and Team Readiness Assessment Tests (RATs, 30%)
All students will be asked to complete a total of 6 individual Readiness Assessment Tests
(iRATs, 15%) during our class meetings. The RATs will be multiple choice quizzes based
on readings, videos and in-class activities covered. After half the class has turned in their
individual RATs, the remaining students will have 3 minutes to complete. The iRATs
typically takes about 10 minutes to complete.

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Immediately following each iRAT, each student team will work together to complete a
team Readiness Assessment Test (tRAT, 15%) using the identical questions. The
purpose of this team component is to foster student collaborative learning through
searching the correct answer for each question. Student teams will be using the IF-AT
cards and receive instant feedback. With the exception of unexcused absences (in which
case the absent student will receive zero on both iRAT and tRAT), all students on the
same team will receive the same grade for the tRAT. Note that no make-up tRATs will be
offered. 5 out of the 6 RATs will be counted towards your final grade and the lowest grade
will be dropped.
l Presentation and Leading Discussions (15%)
All student teams will present on a key IPE issue and lead class discussions. The goal of
the group presentation is to help students comprehend and critically evaluate a
contentious IPE issue topic from competing theoretical perspectives and discuss their
policy implications. Building on the CFR backgrounders, student groups will present the
policy issue to the whole class during the week assigned and lead the discussion to apply
theories and discuss possible solutions collectively. Detailed instructions will be
distributed during Week 2.
Before the presentation, student team will submit their presentation slides/outline (with
marked individual contributions) and a list of discussion questions (3 unique questions
per group member, cross-checked before submission). Every team member is expected
to contribute FAIRLY to the presentation and discussion. All team activities will be peer
evaluated.
l Midterm and Final Essays (25%)
There will be two take-home essays during the semester, one midterm essay (10%) and
one final essay (15%). In the midterm essay, you will apply key IPE theories to analyze a
historical or contemporary issue. All students will be given ONE revise and resubmit
opportunity for the midterm essay. The final essay asks you to take a stance on a highly
debated IPE issue (typically the topic of your team presentation/discussion) and explain
where you stand on the debates and why. Detailed guidelines will be distributed during
relevant class meetings.
For any type of writing in this class, you are expected to include in-text citations and attach
a bibliography page in the end. Any major citation format is fine if you cite consistently.
Students who are unclear about citation should consult with Kellogg library and refer to
the citation resources provided in this syllabus.

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 Activity Components Points
Attendance and Written Reflections 100
Contributions
General Contribution 50
Reading Responses Weekly Reading Responses 10*15=150
Presentation and Oral Presentation 100
Leading
Leading Discussion 50
Discussions
RATs Individual RATs 30*5=150
Team RATs 30*5=150
Take-home Essays Midterm Essay 100
Final Essay 150
Total 1000

The final numerical grade will be the total points you received divided by 10. It will then
be converted into a final letter grade using the following scales:
Grade Scale Conversion Grade Scale Conversion
93-100 A 73-76 C
90-92 A- 70-72 C-
87-89 B+ 67-69 D+
83-86 B 63-66 D
80-82 B- 60-62 D-
77-79 C+ Grade < 60 F

COURSE POLICIES
• Absences
You are expected to attend every class and actively participate in discussion. One
unexcused absence is allowed throughout the course period. If you expect to miss more
than one class, you should schedule an appointment with me immediately and provide a
legitimate excuse with appropriate documentation. Failure to attend and participate in
class will affect your class performance in significant ways, such as receiving zero grade
on in-class assignments and activities. Please plan ahead and notify your instructor early.
Students who misses more than three classes will be referred to Cougar Care network to

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ensure that they receive appropriate academic support and successfully complete this
course before it is too late.
• Class participation and contributions
You are always expected to act in a respectful manner to other students. There will be
many interactive activities in this class that involves open discussions and debates. You
must be respectful of other students’ opinions and refrain from using harsh or
inappropriate languages. Cell phone usage is strictly prohibited. If you really need to
take an important phone call (such as job-related) during class, please notify the instructor
in advance of class to minimize distraction to other students. Laptops are prohibited
unless students contact instructor in advance and provide legitimate reason. Laptop users
are expected to sit in the FRONT ROW and cannot distract other students in any way.
Students violating these rules may be asked to leave the classroom, and the absence will
be considered unexcused and subject to grade penalties.
• Late or Missed Assignments or Exams
Late assignments will not be accepted unless you make an extension request, provide
legitimate reason AND appropriate documentation BEFORE deadline. Missed
assignments will be counted as a zero which will negatively impact your overall course
grade. If you missed a class with RAT but can provide legitimate reason, you can make
up for iRAT and receive the same score for iRAT and tRAT. It is your responsibility to
contact the instructor as early as possible to make extension requests, provide
appropriate documentation, and/or arrange the make-up RATs.
• Plagiarism and/or Academic Dishonesty
Any student found to be in violation of the University’s policy on plagiarism and academic
honesty will receive an automatic F in this course and will be reported to the appropriate
authorities. You are expected to go through the library subject guides on citation and
plagiarism before the class begins and cite every source appropriately in every written
assignment. Please consult the university library and the following resources if you have
any questions:
CSUSM Academic Honesty Policy:
https://www.csusm.edu/policies/active/documents/academic_honesty_policy.html
Citation Subject Guide:
https://biblio.csusm.edu/guides/citations
Plagiarism Subject Guide:
https://library.csusm.edu/plagiarism/index.html
• Accommodations
Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations must be approved for
services by providing appropriate and recent documentation to the Office of Disabled

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Student Services (DSS). This office is located in Craven Hall 5205, and can be
contacted by phone at (760) 750-4905, or TDD (760) 750-4909. Students authorized by
DSS to receive accommodations should meet with me during my office hours or in a
more private setting in order to ensure your confidentiality. The instructor will make
every effort to accommodate difficulties arising religious observance. The instructor will
make every effort to accommodate difficulties arising religious observance.
• Academic and Writing Support
The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides a wide array of services to students to
ensure their academic success: https://www.csusm.edu/asc/resources.html. ASC is
located on the second floor of Kellogg Library in room 2111, next door to the Media
Library, and available Monday- Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. You may also call them at 760-750-
3275 or email asc@csusm.edu.
The Writing Center offers a welcoming learning environment where certified student
consultants offer free and constructive guidance to all writers at any stage of the writing
process -- idea generation, argument development, sentence-level revision, and more.
The WC works through attention to the prompt and guiding questions, as students work
to develop compelling texts. The WC is committed to providing non-judgmental
feedback through a growth mindset philosophy. Additional services include assistance
with Academic English, study space, writing workshops, and small group sessions.
Walk-ins are welcome, or you can reserve an appointment by visiting
www.csusm.edu/writingcenter or calling (760)-750-4168. You will find the center in
KELLOGG 1103! They are open M-Th, 9-6 and F, 9-2.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Subject to change. Will announce on Cougar and in class.
Note: [CC] = Excerpts/Links on Cougar **=Required [R]=Recommended

Week Sessions Topic Readings and In-class Activities

W1 01/22- Course **Cohn, Ch1, Introduction. [EC]
01/24 Overview **Cohn, Glossary. [CC]
[R] Lim, Ch1, Demystifying the Complex World of
International Political Economy.

Practice TBL and RAT

W2 01/29- Historical **Cohn, Ch2, Managing the Global Economy Since WWII.
01/31 Perspectives
01/29: First weekly reading response due
In-class video: Commanding Heights, EP1
W3 02/07 Theoretical **Cohn, Ch3, Neomercantilism.
Perspectives I **Cohn, Ch4, Liberalism.

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 02/05: No class
Finish Commanding Heights EP1 and complete 1-page
reflection (extra credit)
02/07: In-class simulations
W4 02/12- Theoretical **Cohn, Ch5, Critical Perspectives.
02/14 Perspectives II **Review Part I materials.

02/14: RAT1
Part II Politics of Global Finance
W5 02/19- International **Cohn, Ch6, International Monetary Relations.
02/21 Monetary **CFR Backgrounder: The International Monetary Fund.
System [LC]
[R] Lim, Ch5, The Global Financial System.

02/21: Student presentation and discussion: IMF

W6 02/26- Currencies and **Cohn, Ch7, Financial Crises.
02/28 Financial Crises **CFR Backgrounder: Crypto Currencies and National
Security. [LC]

02/26: In-class video: The Great Euro Crisis

02/28: Student presentation and discussion: Crypto
Currencies and National Security.
W7 03/05- Monetary **CFR Backgrounder: The Role of the U.S. Federal
03/07 Policymaking Reserve. [CC]
**MacNamara and Berman, “Bank on Democracy: Why
Central Banks Need Public Oversight.” [CC]
**Review Part II materials.

03/05: Team Simulation: Chair the Fed

03/07: RAT2
Part III Politics of Global Trade
W8 03/12- Global Trade **Cohn, Ch8, Global Trade Relations.
03/14 Relations **CFR Backgrounder: How Are Trade Disputes Resolved?
[R] Lim, Ch4, Politics, Economics, and Cross-Border
Trade.

03/12: Midterm Essay distributed

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 03/14: Student presentation and discussion: How Are
Trade Disputes Resolved?
W9 03/19- Regionalism **Cohn, Ch 9, Regionalism and the Global Trade Regime.
03/21 Each student team divides labor and read the following:
**CFR Backgrounder: What Brexit Means. [CC]
**CFR Backgrounder: What is the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP)? [CC]
**CFR Backgrounder: Mercosur: South America’s
Fractious Trade Bloc. [CC]
**CFR Expert Brief: How the BRICS Got Here. [CC]
**Foreign Affairs Snapshot: How Africa is Bucking the
Isolationist Trend. [CC]

03/19: Midterm essay due

03/21: Team-based Case Studies
W10 03/26- U.S. Trade **CFR Backgrounder: The Risks of U.S. Steel and
03/28 Policy Aluminum Tariffs. [CC]
**Kimberly A. Elliott, “Big Sugar and the Political Economy
of US Agricultural Policy.” [CC]
**Review Part III materials.

03/26: Student presentation and discussion: The Risks of

U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs.
03/28: RAT3
W11 Spring Break—no class Enjoy the break!
Part IV Politics of Global Supply Chain
W12 04/09- Multinational **Cohn, Ch10, Multinational Corporations and Global
04/11 Corporations Production.
and Global **CFR Backgrounder: The Cobalt Boom. [CC]
Production

04/11: Student presentation and discussion: Cobalt Boom

W13 04/16- Politics of **Susan Strange, Susan Strange, “States, Firms, and
04/18 Foreign Diplomacy’, International Affairs. [CC]
Investment **The Economist, “The Retreat of the Global Company.
[EC]
**CFR Backgrounder, Foreign Investment and U.S.
National Security. [CC]

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 04/16: Student presentation and discussion: Foreign
Investment and U.S. National Security
04/18: RAT4
Part V Politics of Development
\W14 04/23 Politics of **Cohn, Ch11, International Development.
International Aid **CFR Backgrounder: The World Bank Group. [CC]
[R] Lim, Ch7, Inequality, Poverty, and Exploitation in the
Global Economy.

04/23: Student presentation and discussion: World Bank

No class 04/25:
Watch Commanding Heights EP2 “Agony of Reform” and
complete one-page reflection (extra credit)
W15 04/30- Development **John Williamson, “Beijing Consensus versus
05/02 Paradigms Washington Consensus.” [CC]
Each student team divides labor and read the following:
**CFR Backgrounder: South Korea’s Chaebol Challenge.
[CC]
**CFR Backgrounders: Poland’s Economic Model.
**CFR Backgrounder: South Africa’s Economic Fault
Lines. [CC]
**CFR Backgrounder: China in Africa. [CC]
[R]CFR Backgrounder: AGOA: the U.S.-Africa Trade
program. [CC]

05/02: Debating Paradigms

W16 05/07- Debating the **Review Part V materials.
05/09 future [R] Cohn, Ch12, Current Trends in the Global Political
Economy.

05/07: RAT5
05/09: Final Essay Q&A
W17 05/16 Final Essay Submit your essay on Cougar Course before 9AM
Due

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