Course Syllabus

Welcome to PLSC 412: International Political Economy

Overview

Description

The world economic system is becoming increasingly integrated, as can be seen from the creation of the European Union and from institutions such as the World Trade Organization and NAFTA. In such a world domestic politics take on global implications and international politics can have a far-reaching impact on domestic politics. Interdependence changes both the manner in which we analyze international relations and the factors affecting domestic politics and economics. This course will investigate how this interdependence affects the way we analyze the relationship between politics and economics by focusing on four key areas of international political economy: trade, monetary and fiscal policies, foreign investment, and development.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Explain the underlying economic principles and the evolution of the post WWII international trade regime.
2. Describe the trade-offs between domestic politics and exchange-rate stability.
3. Compare and contrast different paths taken towards development.
4. Describe the challenges facing developing nations.
5. Identify different models that explain governmental economic policies.
6. Identify the pros and cons of globalization.

Organization

This course is made up nine lessons. For each lesson, you will complete the following activities and assignments:

• Watch the lectures (broken up into one or two parts)
• Read the assigned readings

In addition, there will be a graded orientation quiz, discussion posts, presentations, a term paper and three exams.

Online Learning and Attendance

This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.

Materials

Texts

There are two required texts:

1. **Oatley, Thomas. 2018. International Political Economy, 6th edition. ISBN-13: 978-1138490741
2. Frieden, Jeffry A., David A. Lake and J. Lawrence Broz. 2017. International Political Economy: Perspectives on Global Power and Wealth, sixth edition. ISBN-13: 978-0-393-60388-0

*Note the edition on Frieden, Lake and Broz. The editions vary significantly, so it's critical that you order the correct one.

**E-Book Option: An online version of one or more of your texts is available at no cost as a Penn State Library E-Book. Some E-Books will only be available online, while others will be available to download in full or in part. You may choose to use the E-Book as an alternative to purchasing a physical copy of the text. You can access the E-Book by selecting the Library Resources link on the course navigation, and then selecting the E-Reserves link. For questions or issues, you can contact the University Libraries Reserve Help (UL-RESERVESHELP@LISTS.PSU.EDU).

Library Services

A Penn State Librarian, Lori Lysiak, has been embedded in the course to assist with completing scholarly research and using library resources for the final report. If you have not done so, please see the custom PLSC 412 Library Course Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/friendly.php?s=WorldCampus/PLSC412.

Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage of other library resources, refer to the Online Student Library Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.

Grading

Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.

Scale

* Important note about checking your grade in Canvas: The default in canvas shows you your average over completed (and graded) assignments. At the end of the semester you must uncheck "calculate based only on graded assigments" to see a correct representation of your grade (otherwise missed assignments are not taken into consideration.)

Due Dates

All assignments are due by 11:30 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10622.

As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (hospitalization, jury duty, or family emergency) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g. upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Notes

• To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.

Assignments

Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.

You can expect meaningful feedback on all written assignments within one week of their due date. Students may review their quiz results one day after the assessment period ends. Quiz review will be shut down during the Midterm and Final exams.

Exams

Value: 3 exams at 19% of grade each; 57% of total grade

There will be three (non-cumulative) exams. The exams will be open book. Each exam will be worth 20% of your grade.  The exams will all include two essay questions (one worth 30 pts, one worth 20 pts) and 5 multiple choice questions (each worth 10 pts).

Term Paper

Value: 20% of total grade

You will write a term paper on a relevant topic of interest to you.  The basic idea is for you to apply a theory or small set of theories to an issue in international political economy to drive predictions regarding the likely course of events over the next 5-10 or 10- 20 years. Your paper must have an element of original analysis - either looking at data in a way that others have not, comparing case studies in an original way, or creating an original formal model. You will work on the paper in stages and be graded on your work over the course of the semester.  After submitting a rough draft, you will review another student’s paper and get peer feedback on your draft.

Term Paper Stages:

We have an embedded librarian to assist you with your paper research. There is a dedicated discussion board and you are required to submit FOUR discussion posts. The first one will be due the Wednesday before the paper topic is due, the second will be due the Wednesday before the research question assignment is due, the third will be due the Wednesday before the bibliography is due, and the final post will be due the Wednesday before the literature review is due. You will be graded on your overall participation in the discussion boards for a total of 5 pts.

1. Research Paper Topic (5pts): You will write a short paragraph outlining the general topic of your research paper. General topics include, but are not limited to, trade relations, hegemony, the exchange rate, development and globalization. You will then describe the specific subtopic you are interested in. If, for example, your general topic is globalization, some subtopics might be sweatshops or the effect of globalization on the environment.
2. Research Question and methodology (5pts): You will write one short paragraph that first presents your initial research question.  Make sure that your research question asks what factors, variables, or conditions affect some aspect of your subtopic and focuses on cause-and-effect relationships. You will also explain what methodology you will use. Choose one of these options: data analysis or case study analysis. You should avoid descriptive and prescriptive questions.  The former leads to research papers that simply describe a process or an event, while the latter results in research papers that tell us what we can or should do to change, fix, or prevent some undesirable situation. For example, if your subtopic is the effect of globalization on the environment under the general topic of the globalization, an appropriate research question might be “are members of regional trade agreements more more likely to reach environmental agreements?” Inappropriate research questions might be “which states are the biggest polluters?” or “What should be done to reduce pollution?” You also need to describe your methodology. Identify the data sets or cases you plan to use. If you plan to use data analysis think about two variables - one that captures your "cause" (independent variable) and one that captures the "effect" (dependent variable).  If you plan to use case studies - you need to identify 3 cases for comparison, to evaluate your hypothesis.
3. You will submit a preliminary bibliography (5pts) that should consist primarily of scholarly works associated with your research topic, such as books, journal articles, and other published studies that have been subjected to peer review. University presses, as well as many other reputable publishers, produce peer-reviewed books.

Good journals to search using JSTOR (you can log in with your PSU ID) include:

• American Political Science Review
• American Journal of Political Science
• International Organization
• International Studies Quarterly
• World Politics International
• Journal of Political Economy

Your bibliography must follow the guidelines found in the American Political Science Association’s Style Manual for Political Science, available at APSA Style Manual. 

I would suggest researching data sources at this stage too. Your paper should be backed up with data (or at the very least case studies).

4. Literature Review (10pts): First, the reading you do will allow you to become acquainted with different theories (or "models" as they are often called) about the phenomenon that you’re interested in. Review the most prominent or compelling theories. If there are competing theories, highlight their distinguishing factors. Focus on academic works.
5. Thesis Statement (5pts): You will write one or two sentences that represent your thesis statement. This thesis statement should be a concise summary of your research paper’s argument or analysis. In other words, the thesis statement summarizes your findings, your predictions and your argument. It is “the punch line” of your paper and what follows fills out and supports this statement.
6. Detailed Outline (5pts): You will provide a detailed outline of the various sections of your research paper. These sections may include, but are not limited to, the introduction (including your thesis statement), theory review, analysis, and conclusions.
7. Rough Draft (5pts): You will submit a rough draft of your research paper for peer review. This draft does not have to be perfect. It simply represents your first attempt to put your thoughts in final form. However, the more work you put into this rough draft, the more likely it is that you will receive useful feedback from the peer review. You will get full credit for submitting the draft. (I will not be grading content at this point.) If you do not submit the rough draft you WILL NOT get any credit for completing a peer review.
8. Peer Review (10pts):  You will provide constructive feedback on one classmate’s rough draft.  Using track changes and the insertion of comments, offer as much constructive criticism on your classmate’s paper as possible.  Constructive criticism is criticism that is intended to improve the paper and often identifies solutions to problems in a positive and productive way.  You might want to think about this peer review as a valuable opportunity to improve your own writing; as you edit and comment upon your classmate's work, you might discover things that you should or should not do in future essays and research papers. You will not get credit for this portion if you do not submit a rough draft yourself.

9. Final Paper (50pts): Your final paper must be between 6-8 pages in length, double-spaced with 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins. Your paper must also include proper parenthetical citations and bibliography, following the guidelines found in the American Political Science Association’s Style Manual for Political Science, available at APSA Style Manual. Please upload your paper in Word (or pdf), not Pages.

Presentations

Value:  20% of total grade

We will dedicate three weeks throughout the semester to student presentations. You will each be assigned a chapter in International Political Economy: Perspectives on Global Power and Wealth (Frieden, Lake and Broz). Please view the Presentation List. It is possible that two students will be assigned to present on the same chapter, but they will each do so independently.

First Set of Presentations

Second Set of Presentations

Third Set of Presentations

Orientation/Library Quiz

Value:  3% of total grade

In the first week of the course, a graded Orientation/Library Quiz is to be taken. This quiz covers the material in the Orientation module, including information on the library course guide and the embedded librarian role.  The quiz contains 10 questions, each question worth 1 point.  

Discussion Policies

Written communication is different than oral communication. The policies and pointers listed below cover common issues that crop up in an online discussion forum. They are designed to enhance organization, help you convey your ideas more clearly, and prevent misunderstandings.

1. Try to think of discussion forums as an extension of your real-life classroom.
   1. Endeavor to share ideas among your classmates, not to prove that you are right and they are wrong.
   2. Be aware that differences of opinion are going to occur in any forum. Multiple perspectives on a topic or problem are often valuable.
2. Compose long messages in NotePad (or TextEdit) and then copy/paste into CANVAS. Or add an attachment and provide a simple explanation of its contents.
3. Keep closely related ideas organized under a single post.
   1. To respond to the original post, click in the Reply field, type your response, and click Post Reply. Title your post so that individuals know what your post is about. The title of your post should be a brief phrase that summarizes your post.
   2. To respond to another individual, click the Reply button just below the individual's original response. Type in your response and then click Post Reply.
   3. To express a new idea, click in the Reply field again, similar to adding your original post. Remember to add a title.
   4. Don’t feel obligated to make a reply to a post if you feel it does not warrant one. Numerous posts that contain no essential new ideas may create more work for everyone.
   5. Don’t be offended if no one replies to your message. Often people will read postings on a discussion forum but not make a reply.
4. Act professionally and be considerate of others.
   1. Remember that not everyone comes from the same background, or shares the same values and ideals as you.
   2. Be mindful of your “tone.” If you are unsure of your tone, try reading your discussion forum post out loud before you submit it. When you read it out loud, does it sound the way you would speak to another student in the classroom?
   3. Remember that a message can easily be misunderstood. Making a joke or being ironic in a discussion forum is a great way to break the ice, but you have to let people know your intentions. If you wish to convey a humorous tone, try using emoticons or adding comments like “Just kidding!” Do not use slang.
5. Alert your instructor as soon as possible if there is a message on the discussion forum that strikes you as inappropriate or offensive.
   1. Keep in mind that the author may not realize how the message “sounds” to you. Try to think of the situation as a growth opportunity facilitated by the instructor.
   2. Allow the instructor to handle the situation. Rest assured that your instructor is determined to prevent breakdown of group process.
   3. Be aware that the instructor has the right to remove any inappropriate or offensive messages.
   4. Be aware that any student who posts an inappropriate of offensive message will be blocked from participating in the discussion forum and will receive an F for that assignment. Students are also subject to relevant policies in the student code of conduct.

University Policies

Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.   

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).

Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:

• Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
• All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
• All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.

Disability Access

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus at https://equity.psu.edu/offices/student-disability-resources/campus-offices. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.

Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.

Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.

Nondiscrimination

Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office website at https://affirmativeaction.psu.edu/.

Reporting a Bias Incident

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.

TEACH Act

The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

University Emergency Procedure

In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.

In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at https://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website at https://news.psu.edu.

To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.

Syllabus Subject to Change

The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.