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2026/2027  BA-BPOLO1286U  International Political Economy

English Title
International Political Economy

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
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 Global Relations
Programme BSc in International Business and Politics
Course coordinator
  • Duncan Wigan - Department of Organization (IOA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • International political economy
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 18-02-2026

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • identify and discuss competing explanations of order and change in the international political economy
  • draw upon course concepts and approaches to reflexively discuss the actions and operations of states under different historical conditions and the broad context in which international businesses operate
  • integrate empirical and theoretical knowledge to respond persuasively to research questions about International Political Economy and explore trade-offs and ambiguities in international governance
  • demonstrate comprehensive and considered engagement with course literature
Examination
International 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 3-5
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Synopsis
Release of assignment An assigned subject is released in class
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
15 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 Winter
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 (15 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 (15 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.
Description of the exam procedure

Oral defense is 45 minutes for groups of 3-5.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

International Political Economy (IPE) studies how politics shape the global economy and how the global economy impacts politics. As such, its study centers on state-market relations and the key actors that shape them, including international organizations, government actors and multinational corporations. Levels of analysis range from the national to the supranational, with a constant awareness of the multiple interconnections between the global and the local. This course introduces students to classical debates within the subfield, including the international political economy of trade, finance, development and production. It also tackles more recent topics and grand challenges that are key to contemporary debates about globalization from an IPE perspective, including climate change, money and economic inequality. In studying these topics the course brings to bear key theories of, and approaches to IPE such as realism, liberal institutionalism, critical studies, constructivism and historical institutionalism, all of which are deployed to encourage critical but concrete thinking about the myriad trade-offs that constitute the international political economy, as well as the moral and ethical implications thereof. 

 

In relation to Nordic Nine

International Political Economy provides historical context for the major socioeconomic shifts of the 20th and 21st century, thereby placing business knowledge in a broad and concrete historical backdrop and projecting it into the future (NN1; NN7). It also tackles key socio-political challenges facing political leaders today, including topics such as financial stability, climate change, and the changing nature of labor and production (NN3). In discussing and analyzing these topics it takes a data driven approach, but also highlights the ambiguity and complex trade-offs that characterize these grand challenges (NN2; NN5). Pedagogically, the course incorporates group work and hones critical analytical skills (NN6). 
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Teacher’s own research
Research-like activities
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
Lectures, in-class discussions, group work and seminars.
Feedback during the teaching period
The course offers continuous feedback and establishes an ongoing dialogue with students. Particular feedback includes: direct feedback on small group work in exercise classes; a pass or fail multiple choice in-class quiz that takes place in a lecture sessions; structured peer-feedback on how to respond to essay questions in the final exercise class; engagement via regular office hours in person or online. We also try to offer feedback in response to your questions and work whenever feasible in the classroom, although please appreciate that there are often time constraints. Please feel free to take full advantage of the office hours, although these can never be a substitute for participation in lectures and classes. 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.) 144 hours
Lectures / class exercises / “homework cafés” / workshops etc. 38 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 30 hours
Further Information

Minor changes may occur to this course description until 30 June.

Last updated on 18-02-2026