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POL223Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Foundations Of Political Economy

This course provides students of political science with a comprehensive knowledge of Political Economy. It examines the basic concepts, evolution, and scope of political economy, as well as perspectives including liberalism, Marxism, and neo-Marxism. The course analyzes modes of production, primitive accumulation of capital, globalisation, and the political economy of Nigeria. Students will gain a working knowledge of political economy and its application to real-world issues.

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150h

Study Time

13

Weeks

12h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

Political EconomyModes of ProductionGlobalizationCapital AccumulationNigeria

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Political Economy

2

Modes of Production

3

Development

4

Underdevelopment

5

Globalization

6

Multinational Corporations

7

Nigerian Economy

Total Topics7 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Economist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Political Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Development Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentInternational OrganizationsNon-Governmental OrganizationsResearch InstitutionsConsulting Firms

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: The Basics of Political Economy

2h

Unit 1: Understanding the Subject Matter of Political Economy

2 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Understanding the Subject Matter of Political Economy.
•Define political economy and its significance.
•Discuss the rationale for studying political economy.

Week

2

Module 1: The Basics of Political Economy

2h

Unit 2: Evolution and Scope of Political Economy

2 study hours

•Read Unit 2: Evolution and Scope of Political Economy.
•Discuss the evolution of political economy from ancient philosophy to modern interdisciplinary studies.
•Explain the scope of modern political economy, including its sub-areas and applicability.

Week

3

Module 1: The Basics of Political Economy

2h

Unit 3: Perspectives on Political Economy

2 study hours

•Read Unit 3: Perspectives in Political Economy.
•Explain the concepts of classical, Marxian, and neo-classical political economy.
•Highlight the main arguments and limitations of each perspective.

Week

4

Module 1: The Basics of Political Economy

2h

Unit 4: Basic Concepts in Political Economy

2 study hours

•Read Unit 4: Basic Concepts in Political Economy.
•Explain basic concepts such as labor, social class, means of production, bourgeoisie, and proletariat.
•Discuss the contemporary relevance of these concepts.

Week

5

Module 1: The Basics of Political Economy

2h

Unit 5: Primitive Accumulation of Capital

2 study hours

•Read Unit 5: Primitive Accumulation of Capital.
•Explain the meaning of primitive accumulation of capital.
•State the implications of primitive accumulation on class and power structures.

Week

6

Module 2: Analysis of the Modes of Production

2h

Unit 1: Primitive Communalism

2 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Primitive Communalism.
•Discuss the nature and main features of the primitive communal era.
•Understand the circumstances that led to its decline.

Week

7

Module 2: Analysis of the Modes of Production

2h

Unit 2: Slave-owning Mode of Production

2 study hours

•Read Unit 2: Slave-owning Mode of Production.
•Identify the nature of the slave-owning mode of production.
•Discuss the functioning of the slave-owning mode of production.

Week

8

Module 2: Analysis of the Modes of Production

2h

Unit 3: Feudalism

2 study hours

•Read Unit 3: Feudalism.
•Identify feudalism as an epoch in the evolution of the capitalist mode of production.
•Know the basic features of feudalism.

Week

9

Module 2: Analysis of the Modes of Production

2h

Unit 4: Capitalism

2 study hours

•Read Unit 4: Capitalism.
•Explain the capitalist mode of production.
•Explain the conditions necessary for the collapse of the capitalist mode of production.

Week

10

Module 2: Analysis of the Modes of Production

2h

Unit 5: Socialist Mode of Production

2 study hours

•Read Unit 5: Socialist Mode of Production.
•Discuss the nature of a socialist society.
•Explain the basic features of communism.

Week

11

Module 3: The Concepts of Development and Underdevelopment

4h

Unit 1: Understanding the Concept of Development

2 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Understanding the Concept of Development.
•Explain the meaning of development.
•Discuss the features of a developed society.

Unit 2: Modernisation Perspective on Development

2 study hours

•Read Unit 2: Modernisation Perspective on Development.
•Identify the main thrust of the modernisation perspectives on development.

Week

12

Module 3: The Concepts of Development and Underdevelopment

3h

Unit 3: Dependency Perspective on Development

3 study hours

•Read Unit 3: Dependency Perspective on Development.
•Identify the main arguments of the dependency school on development and underdevelopment.
•Discuss the contemporary utility of the arguments of the dependency and underdevelopment school of thought.

Week

13

Module 3: The Concepts of Development and Underdevelopment

4h

Unit 4: Paul Baran's Analysis of Economic Backwardness and Economic Growth

2 study hours

•Read Unit 4: Paul Baran's Analysis of Economic Backwardness and Economic Growth.
•State the major ideas of Paul Baran on economic backwardness and economic growth.
•Discuss the concepts of economic backwardness and economic growth.

Unit 5: Andre Gunder Frank's Analysis of Development of Underdevelopment and Samir Amin theory of Unequal Development

2 study hours

•Read Unit 5: Andre Gunder Frank's Analysis of Development of Underdevelopment and Samir Amin Postulation on Unequal Development.
•Explain the ideas of Andre Gunder Frank on the development of underdevelopment in the LDCs.
•Explain the basic teachings of Samir Amin on unequal development and economic growth.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the key concepts and definitions from each unit.

2

Create diagrams illustrating the relationships between different modes of production.

3

Compare and contrast the perspectives of classical, Marxian, and neo-classical political economy.

4

Analyze case studies of countries and their development paths in relation to dependency theory.

5

Practice answering essay questions on the political economy of Nigeria, focusing on specific sectors.

6

Create timelines of key events in the evolution of political economy and their impact on global trends.

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