Geoeconomics (2235.YR.004309.1)

Datos generales

Tipo:	BAS	Curso:	2	Periodo:	S semestre
Créditos ECTS:	3 ECTS

Profesorado:

Grupo	Profesor	Departamento	Idioma
Year 2	Jordi Molina Alsina	Derecho	ENG

Geoeconomics is a rising field of study that can be approached in at least three different ways: 1) the interplays between economic phenomena and geopolitics, 2) the increasing economic tools that states are using to achieve its political objectives and 3) how geography can be linked to economic imperatives and trends at national, regional and global levels.

This syllabus assesses the three approaches and provides insights and perspectives on how economic is becoming a defining tool of statecraft in an increasing globalized and interdependent world.

The scope and content of the topics include: sea power, trade, energy, resource scarcity and the increasing competition among old and emerging powers for access, connectivity and infrastructures.

· Explaining the links between state power, politics and economic tools

· Assessing the role of trade links and routes, energy and infrastructures in regional and global politics

· Outlining the key interpretations, theories and approaches to contemporary world in terms of political economy

1. Content One class per week (2h 30m each) Class topics: · Sea Power and maritime routes (includes teamwork presentations) · The Rise of European Empires and Sea Power · Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) · State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) · Introduction to the geopolitics of water, minerals and energy · Trade and globalizations · US vs. China · Sanctions as geoeconomic tool: The cases of Ukraine and North Korea · Saudi Arabia vs Qatar · India vs. Pakistan · Technology and Geoeconomics The order of classes will be subject to the availability of guest speakers. The content of some sessions and its means and methodology (classroom, online) can vary due to geopolitical/geoeconomic breaking news events during the course and/or prescription or recommendations by governmental authorities.

2. Syllabus content One class per week (2h 30m each) Class topics: · Sea Power and maritime routes (includes teamwork presentations) · The Rise of European Empires and Sea Power · Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) · State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) · Introduction to the geopolitics of water, minerals and energy · Trade and globalizations · US vs. China · Sanctions as geoeconomic tool: The War in Ukraine · Saudi Arabia vs Qatar · India vs. Pakistan · Technology and Geoeconomics The order of classes will be subject to the availability of guest speakers. The content of some sessions and its means and methodology (classroom, online) can vary due to geopolitical/geoeconomic breaking news events during the course and/or prescription or recommendations by governmental authorities.

Methodology & key attendance considerations

· Class sessions include lectures, news analysis, fire-chats and debates.

· Students are expected to bring their views, comments and questions.

· Throughout the syllabus, articles and books will be suggested and/or uploaded to Moodle to prepare or complete key topics. Students are also expected to conduct research to enrich class contents.

· Smartphones must be switch-off in class, laptops are welcomed except in the last three sessions (teamwork presentations).

· Attitude in class must be proper at all times.

· Teamwork presentations will strengthen syllabus content and further develop the participants skills and abilities.


Skills and Abilities linked to the syllabus

· Critical thinking

· Inter-disciplinary analysis

· Holistic thinking

· Teamwork

· Presentation and writing skills

Suggested reading:

· Chapters 1, 6, 7 and 8 of The Ages of Globalization by Jeffrey D. Sachs. Columbia University Press.

· The New Map by Daniel Yergin. Penguin Books.

· The New Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan. Bloomsbury Publishing.

· The Dawn of Eurasia by Bruno Maçaes. Allen Lane-Penguin Books.


Additional reading for further background:

· Economic Statecraft by David A. Baldwin. Princeton University Press.

· The Political Economy of International Relations by Robert Gilpin. Princeton University Press.

Articles and other sources will be suggested during the course to reinforce key concepts.

Grupo	Profesor	Departamento
Year 2	Jordi Molina Alsina	Derecho