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2026/2027  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 Global Relations
Programme BSc in International Business and Politics
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 15-06-2026

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 Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Aids Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • USB key for uploading of notes, books and compendiums in a non-executable format (no applications, application fragments, IT tools etc.)
  • In Paper format: Books (including translation dictionaries), compendiums and notes
The student will have access to
  • Canvas
  • Basic IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
A new exam assignment must be answered. This applies to all students (failed, ill, or otherwise)
Description of the exam procedure

In order to allow for the assessment of students’ ability to fulfill the learning objectives, the use of Generative AI (GenAI) tools or apps is not allowed for this exam.
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).
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
Research-like activities
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
14 lectures, nine exercise classes, and one final workshop.
Feedback during the teaching period
1. In general, students should feel free to take full advantage of the office hours offered by full-time staff members. We also encourage students to ask questions or make comments in class and form self-study groups to secure peer feedback on your work.

2. After the final exam, comprehensive and collective written feedback is given, addressing general issues. Feedback on individual exam papers is given if necessary.

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 15-06-2026