International Economic Relations since 1931 ESH4033

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course addresses the changing patterns of international economic relations since 1931 with particular focus on the origins and development of global economic institutions and the determinants of the patterns of international trade and international capital flows for both developed and developing economies.

Timetable

Lecture: one hour per week

Seminar: one hour per week.

 

Please note this course does not run every session.

Requirements of Entry

Enrolment in an MA (SocSci) or MA (Arts) Honours Programme

Excluded Courses

N/A

Co-requisites

N/A

Assessment

One source report (1,500 words) = 40%

One essay (2,500-3,000 words) = 60%

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to evaluate and understand the forces which shaped the international economy since 1931, with particular emphasis on international trade, international capital flows and the formation of international economic policy. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of policy on international economic relations, as well as investigating the causes and impact of major disturbances such as the Second World War, the decline of British and then American economic hegemony, the third world debt crisis, the rising economic influence of East Asia and globalisation.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

1. Demonstrate an awareness of the nature and development of international economic relations since 1931

 

2. Discuss critically the origins and development of global economic institutions

 

3. Assess key factors that shaped international trade and capital flows in developed and developing countries

 

4. Use primary sources to analyze key events related to international economic relations

 

5. Develop well-reasoned and critically aware arguments, supported by the literature, in relation to international economic relations

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.