Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record
Political Science 6
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
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6 Introduction To Political Economy
Same as:
ECO-Economics 6
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Units: 3.00
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Prerequisite(s): None.
Advisory: Qualification for English 1A
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This course will examine the historical, structural, and cultural elements in the development of international political economy. Topics covered will include the relation of politics and economics on development, globalization, national institutions, social groups and classes, and democracy. 54 hours lecture.
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SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
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The effect of politics and economic policy on critical global issues such as development and democracy.
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ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
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Critically discuss and analyze primary and secondary texts, recognizing key ideas and responding in both oral and written form;
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Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate concepts studied in primary and secondary texts using intermediate to advanced critical thinking skills;
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Compose developed, unified, stylistically competent writing assignments and adjust writing to the target audience with intermediate to advanced skill.
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
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1. Describe, analyze, and evaluate concepts, paradigms, and theories
and institutions of political economy
a. Compare trends, theories, and characteristics of two or more
paradigms.
b. Critically analyze how these paradigms and theories relate to
each other.
2. Demonstrate the ability to think creatively, independently, and
critically about issues in political economy by:
a. Using theories from paradigms within the course and debates
to argue convincingly in defense of a position.
b. Selecting examples to illustrate points and organizing points of
argument appropriately.
3. Analyze and evaluate using research tools (to include primary
texts, scholarly journals, secondary texts, current media and the
internet) on how political economy affects societies and global
community.
4. Demonstrate, apply and synthesize understanding of fundamental
problems in political economy through writing of original analytical
and evaluative essays of four to six pages on issues such as trade,
development, classes and social groups.
5. Describe political economy systems in historical context, examining
the justifications of the time and the consequences of the action.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking ability including analysis and
evaluation of data, and the understanding of alternative
explanations and paradigms.
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COURSE CONTENT
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TOPICS
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1. History of Political Economy:
a. Cultural and Political Foundations, Evolution of Private and
Communal Property, and contending theories and paradigms
2. Global Economic Development and Growth:
a. Explain the rise of market society, the industrial revolution, the
impact of technology, the change in market structure and the
great depression
3. Political Economy in the Modern World:
a. Explain the development of guided capitalism and the role of
government, socialist economics, globalization, International
Money and Finance, Multinational Corporations, and Non
governmental Organizations as they affect individuals and
societies.
5. Contemporary Problems in Political Economy:
a. Indigenous Populations, Environment, Poverty, and Status of
Women
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METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:
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- Presentation of lectures and discussions on political economy including critical methods and individual biographies in order for students to understand the relationship of power, class and international political economy.
- Guest writers/lecturers invited to class to discuss topics on political economy at the national and international level.
Presentation, discussion, and detailed examination of case studies of national development plans, economic stages, and economic growth theories.
- Showing films, videos, slides, distributing handouts, and/or using electronic or computer-based media in order to reinforce understanding of concepts related to contending theories and paradigms in political economy and issues such as poverty, discrimination, and human deevelopment.
- Cooperative/collaborative learning tasks, simulations, and activities designed to assist students in activating, stimulating, and acting upon the resources of creativity within themselves.
- Individual conferences in order to evaluate and advise students on original writing or creative projects.
- Computer-assisted and/or web-enhanced instruction which reinforces the course content.
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METHODS OF EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:
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- A minimum of two significant pieces of formal academic writing beyond quizzes or examinations is required.
- Individual and group assignments designed to demonstrate successful understanding and application of basic concepts and definitions in political economy.
- Questions on topics and content designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the key theories and paradigms.
- Quizzes/examinations designed to assess students’ ability to recall, critically analyze and apply key concepts and course content.
- Participation and regular attendance as required by instructor to ensure progress in mastering the course content and participation in collaborative learning projects.
- Final examination designed to assess students’ mastery of the essential concepts explored in the course.
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ASSIGNMENTS
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Required Reading Assignments
Required Writing Assignments
Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
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COURSE MATERIALS
All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:
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Frieden, Jeffrey and David Lake. International Political Economy: Perspectives on Global Power and Wealth.
Belmont: Wadsworth, 1999.
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Lairson, Thomas and David Lake. International Political Economy: The Struggle for Power and Wealth.
Belmont: Wadsworth, 2002.
- Marx, Karl. Capital, any edition
Smith, Adam, Wealth of Nations, any edition
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