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2022/2023  BA-BPOLO1232U  Comparative Political Economy

English Title
Comparative Political Economy

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Leonard Seabrooke - Department of Organization (IOA)
Main academic disciplines
  • International political economy
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
  • Sociology
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 24-06-2022

Relevant links
Learning objectives
At the end of the course students are expected to be able to:
  • Understand key contemporary Comparative Political Economy theories and approaches.
  • Distinguish, differentiate, and analyze these theories and approaches through an application to a case based on the student’s independent research.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the main trends and dynamics in the maintenance and transformation of advanced capitalist societies.
Examination
Comparative Political Economy:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Oral group exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 3
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
It is possible to write the assignment individually without applying for exemption
Assignment type Project
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Re-exam when the ordinary exam is failed is an individual oral exam (20 minutes per student) based on the original report and 3 standard page supplement. The report must also be resubmitted.
If you have not handed in a project in the first exam try you must hand in a full report plus the additional 3 pages.

Make-up exam when ill with Doctor's certificate at the ordinary exam is an individual oral exam (20 minutes per student) based on the original report. The report must also be resubmitted.

Make-up exam when ill with Doctor's certificate during the writing of the project is the same as the ordinary exam.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The Comparative Political Economy (CPE) course introduces students to the comparative approach to understanding modern capitalism and drivers of political, economic, and social differences between societies. The course is structured around key theories and approaches for the comparison of Firms, Economies, and People. This includes theories and approaches that locate the comparative political economy of corporate governance structures, macroeconomic regimes and growth models, as well as welfare regimes and household policies.

 

Students will learn comparative method and the use of typology, as well as prominent theoretical traditions that offer explanations for why capitalism looks different in different societies. The strengths and weaknesses of these approaches will be explored through a series of cases in advanced capitalist societies structured around the key themes of Firms, Economies, and People. Students will learn how policies for corporate governance, financialization, macroeconomic policy, welfare, and household economies are developed in different societies.

 

Students will develop an essay that provides the basis for a group oral exam. The essay will apply two theories/approaches from the course to a case from their own independent research, reflecting on the benefits and deficiencies of the theories/approaches in light of the comparative empirics. Through the comparative method and typology the CPE course provides students with the means to analyze topics of relevance to government-business relations.

 

The CPE course supports Nordic Nine 4, “competitive in business and compassionate in society” by highlight social and economic structural disadvantages while promoting business-minded solutions.
Description of the teaching methods
Lectures
Feedback during the teaching period
Students are offered a supervision meeting (15 minutes per student in the group). Feedback is also provided in the context of a workshop. At the exam, students receive feedback on their essay development.
Student workload
Preparation time (readings, group work etc.) 76 hours
Lectures / class exercises / “homework cafés” / workshops etc. 38 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 100 hours
Expected literature

The readings are based on scholarly articles specified in the course guide. However, students looking for a textbook in Comparative Political Economy will benefit from reading: Clift, B. (2021). Comparative Political Economy: States, Markets and Global Capitalism, 2nd edition. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Last updated on 24-06-2022