Not available in 2024/25
IR355 Half Unit
Economic Diplomacy
This information is for the 2024/25 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Boram Lee, CBG.8.09
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and Chinese, BSc in International Relations and History and BSc in Politics and International Relations. This course is not available as an outside option. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
Pre-requisites
Some background knowledge of international political economy, such as that provided in IR206 ‘International Political Economy', will be useful to students taking this course.
Course content
The course introduces students to the theories and analytical frameworks relating to decision-making and negotiation in international economic relations and enables them to develop the skills needed to apply these to cases. It discusses the roles of the main actors, institutional settings and processes involved in domestic decision-making and international economic negotiations, and their interaction. The aim of the course is to provide participants with the ability to understand and analyse the factors shaping international negotiations in a range of policy issues from trade and investment, to the environment, economic summits and finance.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of classes including lectures and workshops totalling a minimum of 20 hours during Winter Term. Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy.
The course is composed of two modules. The first module (Week 1-3) discusses analytical toolkits for understanding economic diplomacy. During these initial weeks, students will learn about four approaches to economic diplomacy: a) balance of power and coercive bargaining, b) negotiations within international institutions, c) the effect of domestic politics, and d) the role of ideas and issue framing.
The second module (Week 4-10) features specific negotiation tactics frequently adopted by policymakers and important challenges that negotiators face in policy processes.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the WT.
Students will be expected to produce a short policy memo in the WT.
Indicative reading
- Bayne, Nicholas and Woolcock, S. The new economic diplomacy: decision-making and negotiation in international economic relations, Third edition, Ashgate, Stephen 2013.
- Koremenos, Barbara. The continent of international law: Explaining agreement design. Cambridge University Press, 2016.
- Davis, Christina L. "Food fights over free trade." Food Fights over Free Trade. Princeton University Press, 2011.
- Oye, Kenneth A. Economic discrimination and political exchange: World political economy in the 1930s and 1980s. Princeton University Press, 1993.
Assessment
Take-home assessment (100%) in the ST.
Take-home assessment (100%) in the ST. Students will be expected to produce a policy memo of no more than 2500 words.
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Total students 2023/24: 26
Average class size 2023/24: 14
Capped 2023/24: Yes (30)
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication