Business, International

Relations and the

Political Economy
ONLINE CERTIFICATE COURSE

Understand the relationship between international relations and business,

and how this impacts global and local markets, and your organisation. Guided
by LSE thought leaders, with expert analyses of historical events, you’ll develop
a lens with which to critically analyse global events and plan accordingly.
 ABOUT THIS
and macroeconomics. It addresses real world
problems using historical reflection, conceptual

COURSE discussion and in-depth case studies. You’ll

In today’s volatile and unpredictable global
order, it has become increasingly important
for decision makers in business to have
a grounded understanding of the various
political, social, economic, technological and
environmental drivers of global change.
This course focusses on the core concepts
for understanding globalisation and global
change, from the disciplines of international
relations, political science, political economy
explore key events that have shaped the evolution
of globalisation from the 19th century until today.
You’ll analyse, in particular, how corporate
organisations are impacted by events such
as the 2008 financial crisis, changes in global
supply chains, global power shifts and the
emergence of China as a global economic
power, instability in key areas of the developing
world, technological and environmental disruption
from automation and robotics to cybersecurity
and climate change, and the rise of populism
in the western world.

7-10 hours per

8 weeks
week of self-
£1,800 excluding
paced learning,
orientation
entirely online

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS

Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll:
• Learn and apply the analytical and problem solving techniques used by leading LSE researchers
who specialise in the disciplines of international relations, political science and macroeconomics
• Acquire a deeper understanding of the political, social, economic, technological and environmental
shifts that have taken place from the 19th century until today as a result of globalisation
• Cultivate an ability to analyse events from different perspectives, in order to make strategic
business decisions
• Understand and participate in some of the most pressing academic debates centred around
the challenges of globalisation

The Bombay Stock Exchange fell by 605 points

(2.24%) after Brexit was announced - impacting local
and foreign businesses, and Asian currencies. In a
world defined by drastic political changes and instant
communication, understanding and predicting these
implications is vital.
1
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
 THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF:

You like to keep yourself
and your business one
step ahead of both the
competition and the impact
of global events on your
international trade and long-
term business strategies
You want to have a greater
impact on the strategic
direction of your company, with
an analytical skillset that allows
you to view situations from
multiple perspectives, and
methods of analysis used by
LSE’s leading academics
You have an interest in foreign
policy – and its impact on
the dynamics of globalisation
and the global business
community – or current affairs
and how social and political
actors engage with each other
in the global economy

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?

This course is designed to provide CEOs; managers; C-suite executives; finance and investment
professionals; entrepreneurs; advisors, and policy makers with the tools to analyse and interpret the
effects of global events. In addition to the above roles, the course appeals to anyone involved with
international business or trade, as well as those with a keen interest in current global affairs.

Professor Paul Kelly

Pro-Director, Teaching and Learning, LSE

“
Online education allows the London
School of Economics and Political Science
to make our state-of-the-art social science
research accessible to the widest possible
audience, in a format which is practical and

”
will have real world application and impact.

LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
 What is LSE?

Learn more about

The London School

of Economics and
Political Science (LSE)

WHAT
YOU’LL LEARN
This online course integrates rich, interactive media such as videos, infographics, and e-learning activities
as well as traditional didactic components such as written study guides (course notes). There are also
opportunities for collaborative learning through discussion forums. The following modules contribute to
the holistic approach your learning path takes:

00 Orientation
 Module: Welcome to your Online Campus
This essential module is released prior to Module 1 and sets you up for success in later modules.
Explore your analysis environment, become comfortable with your new online classroom,
meet your Success Team, and get to know your fellow classmates.

01 The evolution
 of globalisation
Receive an introduction to the evolution of globalisation, and how it has developed from the
19th century until today to shape the current world order. Discover the key themes, issues
and debates which will be discussed throughout the course.

02 Business,
 production and investment in the global economy
Explore the effects of globalisation, gain deeper understanding of economic drivers and
developing economies, and learn how various economies have developed as a result
of their social, political and institutional characteristics. You’ll learn the key principles
required to analyse and evaluate the ease of doing business in a particular country.

LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
 03 Global
 power shifts
Assess the impact that global market shifts will have on your business and industry,
and understand the context of of the global political order through analysis of how
specific countries developed over time. This module will focus on the rise and fall of
nations historically, and consider whether this trend will continue into the 21st century.

04 Governing
 the global economy
Explore the main actors who influence and shape foreign policy today, the impact for
growth of how different states have responded to globalisation, and how decisions
made in one region are sensitive to events in another. In doing so, you’ll investigate how
global problems can be solved through collaboration and collective problem-solving.

05 Contesting
 globalisation
Analyse and discuss the rise of populism, how it has manifested on the global
political landscape (such as Brexit or the election of President Trump), and its effect
on global economics and politics – and business – including the use of social media
as a tool for populist revolt. This module also addresses global peace incentives and
rising inequality caused by globalisation.

06 Conflict
 and instability
Examine new and old forms of conflict and insecurity, and explore how globalisation
has magnified problems of migration, poverty, crime and terrorism. You’ll explore
how these issues undermine economic development and the implications for
organisations wishing to invest in foreign markets. Engaging with these issues, you’ll
learn how the state, NGOs, multinational corporations and civil society have engaged
with and managed instances of global conflict.

07 Responding
 to disruptive forces
Understand the threats, challenges and disruptive forces that have reshaped the
global landscape – including cyber-security, automation and climate change – and
the economic, social and political implications for society and business. Using case
studies, you’ll learn to identify the business opportunities that exist in these global
risk issues, as well as the value of innovation and agility.

08 Corporate
 responses to a changing global environment
Discover the key strategic factors to consider when determining whether to expand
internationally and the efficacy of various strategies to operate in new markets.
Apply your learnings by proposing how a product, service or initiative might expand
internationally by adopting the strategic principles taught in this module.

section assesses relationships and shifts in power

LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
between key international actors, as well as the
 WHO YOU’LL LEARN FROM
YOUR FACULTY DIRECTORS
These subject matter experts from LSE have designed this course and appear in a number of course
videos, along with a variety of industry professionals.
DR ROBERT FALKNER
Convenor, Associate Professor
of International Relations
Robert Falkner is an Associate
Professor of International
Relations at the London School of Economics
and Political Science (LSE). Robert is one of the
School’s leading experts on international political
economy and the role of business in international
relations. He is the LSE Academic Director
for the TRIUM MBA, ranked amongst the best
eMBA programmes in the world by the FInancial
Times. Robert is the Research Director of LSE’s
Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the
Environment, and has been extensively published
on topics including environmental politics and
climate policy.
LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
PROF CHRIS ALDEN
Course Designer, Professor of
International Relations
Chris Alden is a Professor in
International Relations at LSE
and an expert on foreign policy analysis, China,
and Africa. He is the Co-Head of LSE’s Africa
International Affairs programme and a former
Programme Head of Global Powers and Africa
at the South African Institute of International
Affairs (SAIIA). Chris has conducted foreign policy
research since 1991, has multiple publications
and has consulted for the World Bank, multiple
regional and national banks, as well as
international investment and banking firms.
 PROF MICHAEL COX
Course Designer, LSE IDEAS
Director and Emeritus Professor
of International Relations
Michael Cox is the Director
of LSE IDEAS and an Emeritus Professor of
International Relations at LSE. He is the Head of
Programme for Transatlantic Relations and has
been published extensively on the United States;
transatlantic relations; Asia’s rise, and the problems
facing the EU - as well as the impact these
changes have on international relations. Michael
has held appointments at over seven international
universities, launched an Executive Masters in
Global Strategy in 2011 and helped establish the
Cold War Studies Centre at LSE in 2004 (which
later expanded to become IDEAS).
PROF SAUL ESTRIN
Course Designer, Professor
of Management
Saul Estrin was the
Founding Head of the
London School of Economics and Political
Science (LSE) Management Department.
He is a trained economist and an expert in
business opportunities in emerging markets,
entrepreneurship and international business
issues. Saul has published over 100 papers
in scholarly journals and has held Research
Director and Deputy Dean positions at London
Business School. Saul also has a wide range
of practitioner experience and has taught
executive programmes at multiple international
organisations and banks.

GetSmarter, with whom LSE are collaborating to deliver this online course,

provide a personalised approach to online education which ensures you’re
supported throughout your learning journey.

YOUR SUCCESS TEAM

HEAD TUTOR SUCCESS MANAGER GLOBAL SUCCESS TEAM

A subject expert who’ll guide Your one-on-one Available 24/7 to solve your

you through content-related support available during tech-related and administrative

University hours (9am - 5pm queries and concerns
challenges
BST) to resolve technical and
administrative challenges

LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
 A POWERFUL
COLLABORATION
The London School of Economics and
Political Science is collaborating with online
education provider, GetSmarter, to create
a new class of learning experience — one that
is high-touch, intimate, and personalised for
the working professional.
WHAT IS LSE?
The London School of Economics and
Political Science (LSE) is the world’s
leading dedicated social science university.
LSE was founded in 1895 with the aim of
understanding the causes of things for
the “betterment of society”. This is still at
the heart of LSE and we seek to make our
research and teaching practical and relevant
to the real world. The School counts 16 Nobel
Prize winners and 34 world leaders amongst
its alumni and staff. The most international of
all British universities, LSE has students from
over 160 countries, and over 100 languages
spoken on campus. Graduates of LSE earn
higher incomes, on average, than those of any
other university in the United Kingdom, and
the School has educated more billionaires
than any other in Europe.
LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
WHAT ARE
LSE ONLINE
CERTIFICATE
COURSES?
LSE is dedicated to addressing global issues
through research and education, and is the most
international of all British universities. Offering
online certificate courses, designed by expert
LSE faculty members, the School aims to make
its state of the art social sciences research and
insights available to a wider global audience.
The supported, interactive online learning model
allows students to study from anywhere in the
world, at times of their convenience, whilst still
interacting with peers and teaching staff alike.
WHAT IS
GETSMARTER?
GetSmarter is an online education company
collaborating with leading universities to
present career-focused online short courses.
Their people-driven approach to online
learning — centered around the importance of
human support — has proved itself as a highly
effective educational model. This unique high-
touch approach has resulted in unprecedented
completion rates, and has successfully served
over 50,000 students to date.
 HOW YOU’LL
LEARN
This course is broken down into manageable,
weekly modules, designed to accelerate your
learning process through diverse learning
activities:
• Work through your instructional
material online
• Collaborate with your classmates on projects
via the discussion forum and online hangouts
• Enjoy a wide range of interactive content,
including video lectures, live polls, scenario
simulations, and infographics
• Investigate current, real-world case studies
• Apply what you learn each week to
quiz assessments and ongoing project
submissions, evolving your way of thinking
as you develop new lenses through which to
critically analyse global events from multiple
perspectives and plan accordingly
TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS
Basic requirements
In order to complete a course, you’ll need a
current email account and access to a computer
and the internet. You should be familiar with
using a computer and accessing the internet, as
you may need to be able to read documents in
Adobe PDF Reader, view Microsoft PowerPoint
LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy online certificate course
presentations, and read and create documents
in Microsoft Word. In addition, you may need
to install Adobe Flash Player to view the video
lectures, resources and activities available in
each course module. Both Adobe applications
are available for download:
Click here for Adobe Reader
Click here for Adobe Flash Player
Browser requirements
We recommend that you use Google Chrome
as your internet browser when accessing
the Online Campus. Although this is not a
requirement, we have found that this browser
performs best for ease of access to course
material. This browser can be downloaded here.
Additional requirements
Certain courses may require additional software
and resources. These additional software and
resource requirements will be communicated to
you upon registration and/or at the beginning of
the course. Please note that Google, Vimeo, and
YouTube may be used in our course delivery, and
if these services are blocked in your jurisdiction,
you may have difficulty in accessing course
content. Please check with a Course Consultant
before registering for this course if you have any
concerns about this affecting your experience
with the Online Campus.
Learning online
Find out what it’s like
Take a tour of your
Online Campus
Business, International
Relations and the
Political Economy
ONLINE CERTIFICATE COURSE

Ready to evolve your way of thinking?

REGISTER NOW

CONTACT US
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EMAIL: admissions@getsmarter.com