Time Schedule:
Wolfram W. Latsch
SIS 401
Seattle Campus
Establishment, maintenance, and decay of the post-1945 international economic order. Political economy of international trade, monetary relations, inflation, and North-South relations. Prerequisite: SIS 201 which may be taken concurrently; either ECON 201, GEOG 123 or SIS 123 any of which may be taken concurrently.
Class description
In this class we will look at some of the many different kinds of institutions that comprise the global system, how they evolved, how they work, and how they interact. We will build things up from an understanding of human cooperation in a variety of institutions from earliest times. In particular, we will look at how the most important institution - the modern sovereign state - emerged and evolved, and became dominant. We will look at the shapes the state has taken and at the challenges the sovereign state has faced over the course of history as it has interacted with non-state groups and institutions (such as firms, churches, NGOs, terrorists and pirates). Understanding this history will allow us to better understand the present-day global landscape in which modern states, failed states, political unions, and federations mingle (often uneasily) with private nonstate groups and entities. We will be connecting the historical record with current affairs as we identify parallels between the past and the present that may help us outline possible futures for what we call the international system.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Prerequisites: ECON 200, 201, and SIS 201.
Class assignments and grading
