University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: 12.00 noon Tue

This module examines the politics of contemporary trade and investment agreements. The module begins with a brief intellectual history of free trade and protectionist thought, before turning to contemporary international political economy (IPE) theories. IPE theories are applied to the domestic politics of trade first, where the module focuses on the distributional consequences of trade (winners and losers) and the related policy choices that governments face. Then, IPE theories are applied to the international politics of trade. At the international level, theory helps to understand puzzles like why preferential treaties have proliferated even though a multilateral organization, the World Trade Organization, exists.The second half of the module turns to issues included in recently negotiated trade agreements. The module covers agriculture; investment; internet and data governance; and environmental, gender, and labour provisions.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass IR2006

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 1-hour lecture (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (x 9 weeks), weekly office hours for student consultations (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 39

Guided independent study hours: 260

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 50%, 3-hour Written Examination = 50%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 50%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 50%

Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr W B Vlcek
Module teaching staff: Dr T St John
Module coordinator email wbv2@st-andrews.ac.uk