ECON204 International Political Economy
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Feb 02, 2026
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Economics
Mehmed Ganić
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the field of international political economy. It examines the global forces and institutions that shape the world economy and individuals, as well as the economic history of developing and developed countries. While it is not a course in international economics, the students will be introduced to economic concepts and theories. The effects of international institutions on the economy will be analyzed. Backgrounds in international relations and economics are very useful.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Oatley, T. H. (2019). International Political Economy (Sixth edition). New York, NY: Routledge.
Additional Literature
Stiglitz, J. E. (2007). Making globalization work. WW Norton & Company. Berend, I.T. (2011). An Economic History of Twenty-First Century Europe: Economic Regimes from LAissez-Faire to Globalization. Press of the University of Cambridge Gros, D. and Steinherr, A. (2004). Economic Transition in Central and Eastern Europe. Press of the University of CambridgeTeaching Methods
The methods include lectures (which may involve power point presentation
Video and audio aids)
Student presentations
Projects and class discussions.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction, International Political Economy (Part 1) | Ch. 1 |
|
Distinguish between the core theoretical perspectives in IPEExplain the relationship between states and markets in the global economy.Analyze how power, institutions, and interests shape international economic outcomes.
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| 2 | Non Working Day | |
| 3 | The WTO and the World Trade System | Ch. 2 |
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Explain the historical evolution of the multilateral trading systemDescribe the institutional structure and decision-making processes of the WTO.Understand the core principles of the world trade system
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| 4 | The Political Economy of International Trade Cooperation A Society-Centered Approach to Trade Politics | Ch. 3 |
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Explain the society-centered approach to trade politicsAnalyze how factor endowments and sectoral interests influence trade preferencesExamine the role of collective action and lobbying in shaping government trade policy.
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| 5 | Quiz 1, The Political Economy of International Trade Cooperation | Ch. 4 |
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Quiz exam based on MSQExplain why states cooperate in international tradeIdentify the economic and political foundations of trade cooperationAnalyze the problem of protectionism and the logic of collective action in international trade
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| 6 | A State-Centered Approach to Trade Politics I | Ch. 5 |
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Explain the core assumptions of the state-centered approach to trade politicsDifferentiate between society-centered and state-centered explanations of trade policyAnalyze how governments pursue national interests such as security, power, and economic development through trade policy
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| 7 | Case study 1, Trade and development: import substitution industrialization; economic reform | ch6 |
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Case study 1 , Explain the theoretical foundations of trade and development strategies Define Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) and describe its main policy instruments Analyze the economic rationale behind ISI, including infant industry protection and reducing external dependency.
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| 8 | MIDTERM EXAM | |
| 9 | Trade and development: Economic reforms | ch 7 |
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Explain the rationale for economic reforms in developing and transition economiesUnderstand the concept of structural adjustment and its policy instruments.Evaluate the economic outcomes of reforms, including impacts on growth, inflation, trade flows, and foreign investment.
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| 10 | Multinational corporations in the global economy | Ch. 8 - Ch.9 |
| 11 | The international monetary system, Case study 2 | Ch. 10 |
| 12 | Cooperation, conflict and crisis in the international monetary system | Ch. 11 |
| 13 | Student presentations | |
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Define multinational corporations (MNCs) and explain their role in the global economy.Understand the main theories explaining foreign direct investment (FDI),Analyze the relationship between MNCs and host states, including bargaining power and regulatory frameworks.
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| 14 | Quiz exam II, Student presentations | |
| 15 | Student presentations, Review for final exam | |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON204.1 | Course | Monday 15:00 - 17:50 | B F2.14 | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 - 15:00 | B F1.14 | |
| Tuesday | 13:00 - 15:00 | B F1.14 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Quiz exam 1
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Midterm Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Class discussion
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Quiz exam 2
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lectures
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Final exam studying
25 hours ⏳ (1 week × 25 h)
Home study
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Quiz
20 hours ⏳ (2 week × 10 h)
Midterm exam studying
20 hours ⏳ (1 week × 20 h)
Case study 1, 2
10 hours ⏳ (2 week × 5 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [ECON204] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| ECON204 | International Political Economy | 3 | 0 | 6 | Mon 15: 00-17:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Mehmed Ganić | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 12:00-15:00 Tuesday: 13:00-15:00 |
|||||||
| mganic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | N/A | Assistant E-mail | ||||||||
| Course Objectives | The aim of this course is to introduce students to the field of international political economy. It examines the global forces and institutions that shape the world economy and individuals, as well as the economic history of developing and developed countries. While it is not a course in international economics, the students will be introduced to economic concepts and theories. The effects of international institutions on the economy will be analyzed. Backgrounds in international relations and economics are very useful. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Oatley, T. H. (2019). International Political Economy (Sixth edition). New York, NY: Routledge. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | The methods include lectures (which may involve power point presentation, video and audio aids), student presentations, projects and class discussions. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction, International Political Economy (Part 1) | Ch. 1 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Non Working Day | |||||||||
| Week 3 | The WTO and the World Trade System | Ch. 2 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | The Political Economy of International Trade Cooperation A Society-Centered Approach to Trade Politics | Ch. 3 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Quiz 1, The Political Economy of International Trade Cooperation | Ch. 4 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | A State-Centered Approach to Trade Politics I | Ch. 5 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Case study 1, Trade and development: import substitution industrialization; economic reform | ch6 | ||||||||
| Week 8 | MIDTERM EXAM | |||||||||
| Week 9 | Trade and development: Economic reforms | ch 7 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Multinational corporations in the global economy | Ch. 8 - Ch.9 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | The international monetary system, Case study 2 | Ch. 10 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Cooperation, conflict and crisis in the international monetary system | Ch. 11 | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Student presentations | |||||||||
| Week 14 | Quiz exam II, Student presentations | |||||||||
| Week 15 | Student presentations, Review for final exam | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Quiz exam 1 | 1 | 10 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Midterm Exam | 1 | 25 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Presentation | 1 | 10 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Class discussion | 1 | 5 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Quiz exam 2 | 1 | 10 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lectures | 3 | 15 | 45 | Final exam studying | 25 | 1 | 25 | |||
| Home study | 2 | 15 | 30 | Quiz | 10 | 2 | 20 | |||
| Midterm exam studying | 20 | 1 | 20 | Case study 1, 2 | 5 | 2 | 10 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 21/02/2026 | |||||||||