Political Science: International Political Economy and Development

This course is open to students in the BSc in Development Studies programme (BIDS) majoring in Political Science.

The course introduces the field of International Political Economy (IPE) with a focus on development, global inequality, and the political forces shaping the world economy. You will explore how economic and political processes interact and how different theories explain relations between states, markets, and societies.

The first part of the course examines key theories, perspectives, and debates that inform the study of development and power in the global political economy. The second part focuses on current issues such as finance and crises, trade and fair trade, multinational corporations and corporate responsibility, trade unions and global divisions of labour, and the greening of the economy.

Eden and Campus Paradis: a central study environment in Lund

Campus Paradis is home to the social science programmes. The campus area is located in the centre of Lund, a stone's throw from the University Main Building and the cathedral, which makes it easy for those who commute.

The Department of Political Science is located in a building called Eden in the middle of the Paradis neighbourhood. Here you will find lecture halls and plenty of space to sit on your own and study on several floors.

In the leafy Campus Paradis you will find the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), where you can borrow course literature and find a quiet place to study. On the campus, you will also find Samvetet, where the student union for social scientists is located.

The cultural-historical buildings in the area were formerly hospitals and have therefore been given names such as Gamla kirurgen (The Old Surgeon) and Gamla barnsjukhuset (The Old Children's Hospital). There are two cafés: Karnas Café at the School of Social Work and Café Eden.

Welcome to a classic campus area in a classic educational city!

Teaching includes lectures, seminars, and written assignments. Active participation in discussions is central to the learning process. The course concludes with an individual essay that allows you to explore a topic of your own interest.

Course components

• Theories and perspectives in international political economy
• Development and global power relations
• Trade, finance, and economic governance
• Corporations, accountability, and global labour
• Climate, sustainability, and justice in the world economy

After completing the course, you will be able to analyse global development issues from a political and economic perspective and communicate your insights in both academic and applied contexts.

Prerequisites

General and passed at least 45 ECTS credits from the first year of the Bachelor's programme in Development Studies (BIDS).

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 20 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 10 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 70 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31,250
First payment: SEK 31,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.