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2023/2024  BA-BPOLO2001U  Political and Economic Thought

English Title
Political and Economic Thought

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
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
  • Joachim Lund - Department of Business Humanities and Law (BHL)
Main academic disciplines
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Economics
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 07-06-2023

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • explain the historical roots and trajectories of current Western political and economic theory and ideology
  • analyze, compare, and discuss central ideas from the history of Western political and economic theory and ideology
  • demonstrate a contextual overview of central political and economic thinkers of the Western world from antiquity to today
  • present their findings in a logical and coherent manner
Examination
Political and Economic Thought:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 7 days to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
A new exam assignment must be answered. This applies to all students (failed, ill, or otherwise)
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course presents central thinkers in the history of Western political theory and economics and discusses how those thinkers helped shape the political institutions and economic policies of the Western world.

It covers normative, analytical, and theoretical ideas from antiquity to the contemporary world, such as the origins and functioning of the state, individual freedom, the purpose of society, the ideal government, liberal democracy and other systems of governance, and macroeconomic problems such as the origins of wealth and growth, problems of production, distribution and regulation, economic crises, unemployment and inflation.

Focus is on the origins of contemporary political and economic ideas and on the trajectories of the specialized modern social sciences with a special emphasis on the evolution of, and the disciplinary division between, economics and political science.

 

In relation to Nordic Nine

Political and Economic Thought (PET) connects deep knowledge of political and economic ideas and theories with broad social and historical context (NN1). PET teaches students to be curious and analytical about theoretical ambiguities that emerge from changing historical circumstance (NN2), enabling critical thinking and constructive action when faced with current and future political and economic doctrines (NN6). The course addresses issues such as economic crises, limits to growth, authoritarian threats to democracy, heterodox and transformative economics as well as gender and economic inequality, so as to ensure PET students are both trained in recognizing humanity’s challenges and provided with knowledge and analytical skills to help resolve them (NN3).
Description of the teaching methods
14 lectures, six exercise classes, two workshops, and one voluntary mid-term group assignment
Feedback during the teaching period
1. Halfway through the course, students are given written feedback on the voluntary three page assignment, which serves as a training ground for the final exam of the course. Feedback is given based on evaluation criteria similar to those they are assessed by in the final exam.
2. After the final exam, comprehensive and collective written feedback is given, addressing general issues. Oral feedback on individual exam papers and grades is given in extended office hours. It is the students’ own responsibility to book time in the office hours with the lecturer or course coordinator for this type of feedback.
3. In general, students should feel free to take full advantage of the office hours offered by full-time staff members. We also encourage you to ask questions or make comments in class and form self-study groups to secure peer feedback on your work.
Student workload
Preparation time (readings, group work etc.) 200 hours
Lectures / exercise classes 38 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 80 hours
Further Information

The course requires active participation by those taking it, a willingness to work individually and collectively, a familiarity with current affairs, and an ability to work in new and different ways.
Expected literature

Literature will be published on the learning platform (Canvas). A full reading list will be included in the course plan which is published on Canvas. 
Last updated on 07-06-2023