To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the
following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or
errors: Content:
- Describe and analyse different trends and competing models of
regional integration in Europe and the Americas.
- Identify and discuss the central issues and underlying
assumptions of UK/US discourses on relations between, respectively,
Britain and Europe and the US and Latin America.
- Critically relate trade theory or theories of regional
integration to processes of regionalism and regionalisation.
- Explain policy positions on issues of regional integration in
view of economic factors, institutional patterns, competing
interests and ideologies.
- Develop an independent and lucid argument on topics within the
content of the course, drawing upon a range of sources.
- Language:
- Use a wide range of vocabulary, both general and specific to
the subject matter.
- Use a wide range of grammatical structures correctly.
- Pronounce the language in a manner that facilitates
communication.
- Present complex ideas in a coherent and cohesive manner,
- Employ linguistic styles appropriate to academic English,
- Communicate precisely and fluently on complex
topics.
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This course provides students with some of the knowledge,
understanding and skills necessary for working in markets or
organisations in the US and the UK that engage in cross-border
activities in their respective regions: the Americas and
Europe. The course focuses on the political economy of regional
integration in the cases of the US and the UK, examining the
development of policy coordination and regulation of trade,
investment, the environment, the macroeconomy, and security issues
in regional arenas, yet in the context of both regionalisation and
globalisation processes. With reference to the respective roles and
interests of the US and UK, competing models of regional
integration are analysed.
For example, in the case of the US, regional co-operation in the
form of NAFTA and a possible FTAA, as well as
alternative or complementary bilateral arrangements, are criticised
by some for a narrow approach to integration centred on free trade
and investment. This contrasts with the EU, where supranational
institutions are vested with powers to coordinate a range of
economic, social and environmental policy areas. Yet the EU has
suffered a series of crises in recent years, and now faces the
prospect of a Brexit. The course thereby covers debates and
tensions relating to the processes of deepening and widening
integration in the Americas and Europe, and the possible reversal
of these.
While the issues examined are mainly derived from the literature of
international political economy, the course also relates
secondarily to culture and identities as relevant to economic and
political integration. Issues and debates are examined from
multiple perspectives, such as those of business, labour, consumers
and environmentalists. A critical approach is taken to the issues
and concepts taught, with emphasis on how different texts relate to
the systems of knowledge on which they base their arguments.
Finally, the course has a strong emphasis on the accumulation of
subject-specific concepts and vocabulary, as well as speaking and
writing the English language accurately, fluently, and in a manner
appropriate to discussing complex issues at a high
level.
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