2013/2014  BA-PCP2  Comparative Political Economy

English Title

Comparative Political Economy

Course information
Language	English
Exam ECTS	7.5 ECTS
Type	Mandatory
Level	Bachelor
Duration	One Quarter
Course period	Spring
Time Table	Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board	Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics, BSc
Course coordinator
Hubert Buch-Hansen - Department of Business and Politics (DBP)
Main academic disciplines
International Political Economy
Last updated on 29-05-2013

Learning objectives

On completion of the course the student should be able to: Understand the key theoretical approaches to different models of capitalism and welfare state regimes in advanced industrialised economies. Apply such theoretical approaches in synchronic and diachronic comparative analyses of different advanced industrialised economies, primarily through research from the student’s independent reading Explain the main trends and dynamics in the transformation of advanced industrial economies and welfare regimes

Examination

Comparative Political Economy: Examination form Home assignment - written product Individual or group exam Individual Size of written product Max. 10 pages Assignment type Written assignment Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time. Grading scale 7-step scale Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner Exam period Autumn Term Make-up exam/re-exam Another examination form The re-examination is a four hour closed book exam.

Course content and structure

The course covers the main theoretical approaches in the field of comparative political economy, including the ‘varieties of capitalism’ approach as well as constructivist and critical political economy theories. To assess the strengths and weaknesses of these theoretical approaches they are discussed in relation to concrete advanced industrialised economies. The course takes both a synchronic and a diachronic comparative perspective on national economic systems, and focuses for instance on how various external pressures upon such systems are mediated by domestic actors. The course also covers the transformation of the welfare state and different ways of classifying and comparing welfare regimes. Finally various concrete policy areas and topics of relevance to state-business relations are dealt with in a comparative perspective.

Teaching methods

Lectures.

Expected literature

Important: You must read the Essential Readings prior to the lectures in order to engage in discussions!