Course Overview

“I believe that the 21^st century is ushering in a new global system, one that has elevated the relative importance of economic relations among sovereign states. Both interdependence and the destructive power of nuclear weapons have lowered the incidence of inter-state war. One might even cite this system as signaling the beginning of a Pax Economica: one where the resort to violence has increasingly been trumped by the use of economic policies. Hence, the field of play in international relations is preponderantly characterized by interactions over economic issues. This makes the study of these issues most important in understanding the present nature of international affairs. I also believe in the power of active learning. One cannot fully learn about a subject by simply reading about it, or listening to a lecture. I believe students have to also “live” the subject in order to best understand it. These beliefs have inspired me to teach a course on the main issues in international economic relations, and do so by applying much of the learning in an active or functional context based in role playing and team work.”

-Giulio Gallarotti

• Full Course Description
  The class will be orientated around active learning methods. The subject matter will often be applied in professional contexts: i.e., students will play the roles of decision makers that have to use the subject matter in order to construct solutions to pressing problems, from constructing a viable energy policy for the U.S. in the 21st century to constructing effective development strategies for less developed nations. Team projects will also be employed.
  
  Grades will be based on two research papers (seven to eight pages each), various short memos, participation, and in-class presentations.
   
  Previous coursework in economics is helpful, but not required.
   
  Since this course meets over the dinner hour, we will make an effort to eat together during class. Professor Gallarotti will provide food on the first night of class, then students will divide into small groups and select one or two class meetings for which they will provide food for the group. Contributions are strictly voluntary, and people who volunteer to bring food should bring whatever amount and kind of food they feel comfortable with.
• Assignments
  Grades will be based on two research papers (seven to eight pages each), participation, and in-class presentations.
• Course Texts

  Course Texts

  All readings listed on the syllabus are required. The books below are recommended for purchase and are available at Broad Street Books. All other readings will be available on electronic reserve on the Wesleyan library homepage (ERES).
  The following books are recommended for purchase:

  Charles Kindleberger, The World in Depression
  Joan Spero and Jeffrey Hart, Politics of International Economic Relations
  Rondo Cameron, A Concise Economic History of the World

• Faculty Bio
  Giulio M. Gallarotti is Professor of Government and Tutor in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University. He has also been a Visiting Professor in the Department of Economic Theory at the University of Rome. He is the author of The Anatomy of an International Monetary Regime: The Classical Gold Standard 1880-1914 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1995), The Power Curse: Influence and Illusion in World Politics (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2010), and Cosmopolitan Power in International Relations: A Synthesis of Realism, Neoliberalism, and Constructivism (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010). In addition, he has published numerous articles in leading journals across five disciplines: economics, politics, law, history, and business. His biography has been published in Marquis Who’s Who in America 2010-2015.