Global Political Economy
Questions related to globalisation in the current political economy are widely debated. We need to understand how and in what ways globalisation raises questions for our understanding of contemporary society. How is globalisation impacting on localities, regions and sectors. What are the key agents and agencies in this process of change? What are the implications of globalisation for the environment? How has the environmental and social justice become a political issue? How are global processes reconfiguring production, work, employment and consumption? What is the connection between work, education and employability in this changing world? The Global Political Economy programme within the MSc in Social Science Research methods offers you a distinctive opportunity to explore and study these questions. Themes that are covered include the architecture of the global world, the condition of labour, labour markets, social stratification, governance, and forms of collective organisation and mobilisation.
Cardiff is one of the premier academic institutions in Britain and Europe for the study of comparative political economy. Our staffs are at the forefront of comparative political economy research. The degree programme is supported by small group seminars and supervision by academic staff. This degree programme is aimed at students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Degree candidates typically come from a wide range of countries, with very different experiences, and from a range of academic disciplines. This mix makes for an exciting and rich exchange of views, experiences and understandings. Graduates of the Cardiff programme go on to a variety of successful careers in academia, business, government, international agencies, and non-governmental organisations.
The Global Political Economy specialism is offered within the MSc in Social Science Research Methods under the Sociology Pathway. This MSc provides an excellent preparation for research-based careers in the field of Global Political Economy Studies. Applicants are welcome to take the MSc as a stand alone programme, either as a preparation for other study or as a post-experience qualification. This MSc provides an excellent preparation for research-based careers. Students may apply for ESRC funding to study the course as part of the ‘1+3’ scheme or after successfully completing the course, can apply to the ESRC for ‘+3’ funding.
The MSc programme is as follows:
Semester 1: October - January
Compulsory/Subject Specific Modules
Quantitative Research I [10 credits]
Qualitative Research I [10 credits]
Research and Study Skills [10 credits]
Principles of Research Design [10 credits]
Advanced Specialist Option
Theories and Issues about Globalisation and Political Economy: Strategies of Comparative Analysis [10 credits]
Contemporary Social Theory I [10 credits]
Semester 2: January - June
Compulsory/Subject Specific Modules
Research and Design in Practice [10 credits]
Quantitative Research II [10 credits]
Qualitative Research II [10 credits]
Advanced Specialist Option
Political Economy Options [10 credits]
Political Economy Options [10 credits]
Political Economy Options [10 credits]
June - September
Advanced Specialist Option
Dissertation [60 credits]
To obtain the masters degree students must successfully complete taught courses to the value of 120 credits and a 20,000 word dissertation. The programme is divided into the following elements:
- Generic Methods modules: These modules are designed to meet the generic research methods training requirements of the ESRC. They provide a thorough grounding in core social science skills including philosophy of social science, research design and the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Specialist Political Economy modules: These modules are designed to meet the specialist requirements of the ESRC’s Sociology pathway. They provide a systematic introduction to the specific challenges and approaches found within the field of Global Political Economy. Topics covered include key theoretical approaches in Global Political Economy and practical issues arising from the investigation of complex, interdisciplinary topics such as the internationalisation of the state, the changing patterns and organisation of sectors and the varied forms of political mobilisation and organisation.
- Methods and Specialist options: These optional modules provide students with the chance to tailor the degree studies to their own research interests by developing additional skills in a particular methodological and/or substantive domain.
- Dissertation: Given the emphasis on research methods training throughout the scheme, the dissertation is a crucial element, giving students the opportunity to apply the methodological and analytic skills developed in the taught element of the scheme to a specific topic.
The degree scheme is designed to meet the generic and subject specific requirements set out in the ESRC's postgraduate training guidelines.