UCSSCPOL257.5 ECTSEnglishBachelor
Political Economy of the Global South
Faculteit—
NiveauBachelor
Studiejaar2026-2027
Beschrijving
Course goals
After completing this course students are able to:
- describe the effect of colonialism on various socioeconomic dynamics in the global south
- Understand the global south political thought and debate throughout the period leading to decolonization, the years of independence, and reflecting on the current dispensation
- Demonstrate thorough understanding of the dynamics that shape the narratives, perspectives and debates on the political economy of the Global South
- describe interrelationship between political, historical, cultural and economic events and nexus that continue to shape the developmental path of the Global South.
- Understand the unique socioeconomic and cultural differences that govern various regional blocks and countries of the global south
- Understand the major global-vs-local socioeconomic debates and perspectives
- locate the political economy position of the Global South within contemporary globalization
- problematize the Global South political economy by means of both critique and contextualization.
Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
| assessment | goal |
| class participation | 1-8 |
| essay 1 | 1 |
| essay 2 | 4 |
| group presentation | 2,3,5,6,7,8 |
| final paper | 1-8 |
Content
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach by introducing contemporary development issues in the Global South. It draws on literature from Political Science, Economics, History and Sociology. The module explores and analyzes the intersection of politics, history, sociology, governance and economics in relation to development in the Global South. It does so by investigating the influence of colonialism, governance, culture, institutions, conflicts and external forces on the development trajectories in the Global South.
The main aim is to introduce students to a broad empirical and theoretical understanding of the political and socioeconomic dynamism in the Global South. Empirically, it addresses important questions such as: What is the connection between colonial history and development in the Global South, Why have some countries within the Global South developed faster than others since the WWII, What has been the impact of institutions on development in the Global South? What has been the impact of natural resources on politics and development in the Global South? Are there forms of corruptions compatible with development in the Global South? What is the role of foreign aid and foreign direct investments in development, including the China-effect in the Global South? The module also introduces students to important political economy theories such as Neo-patrimonialism, Corruption and Clientelism, Developmental state, Decoloniality. It achieves all the above by offering space for a diversified body of literature and perspectives.
This course offers an opportunity for a nuanced understanding of the political and socioeconomic dynamism of the Global South by according space for diversity in scholarly literature and perspectives. It presents Global South political economy from the perspectives of political thinkers and analysts from both the West and the south. Students analyze and explore the dynamic intersection of politics, history, sociology and economics in relation to development in the Global South by use of a diversified body of literature and perspectives.
The main aim is to introduce students to a broad empirical and theoretical understanding of the political and socioeconomic dynamism in the Global South. Empirically, it addresses important questions such as: What is the connection between colonial history and development in the Global South, Why have some countries within the Global South developed faster than others since the WWII, What has been the impact of institutions on development in the Global South? What has been the impact of natural resources on politics and development in the Global South? Are there forms of corruptions compatible with development in the Global South? What is the role of foreign aid and foreign direct investments in development, including the China-effect in the Global South? The module also introduces students to important political economy theories such as Neo-patrimonialism, Corruption and Clientelism, Developmental state, Decoloniality. It achieves all the above by offering space for a diversified body of literature and perspectives.
This course offers an opportunity for a nuanced understanding of the political and socioeconomic dynamism of the Global South by according space for diversity in scholarly literature and perspectives. It presents Global South political economy from the perspectives of political thinkers and analysts from both the West and the south. Students analyze and explore the dynamic intersection of politics, history, sociology and economics in relation to development in the Global South by use of a diversified body of literature and perspectives.
Format
First session of the week:is reserved for interactive lectures, guest lectures etc. The second for case studies, journal clubs, class debates, group presentations, film screening etc.
This course is a possible prerequisite for all level 3 POL and ANT courses.
First session of the week:is reserved for interactive lectures, guest lectures etc. The second for case studies, journal clubs, class debates, group presentations, film screening etc.
This course is a possible prerequisite for all level 3 POL and ANT courses.
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