Teaching
In the School of International Service at American University, I teach the courses listed below. Most of them are offered within the School’s International Economic Relations Field; some are offered in conjunction with Comparative and Regional Studies. Students from other fields and schools, such as the Washington College of Law, Kogod School of Business, and College of Arts and Sciences are welcome to enroll.
For more information on the International Economic Relations field within the School of International Service at American University, please consult the field's homepage.
For more information on the International Economic Relations field within the School of International Service at American University, please consult the field's homepage.
Courses and Syllabi
Click on the course title to see the syllabus.
International Political Economy (SISU 220)
The field of International Political Economy (IPE) studies how politics shape developments in the global economy and how economic globalization shapes national politics and economics. A subdiscipline of International Relations, IPE is concerned with the role of power, institutions and ideas in the governance of the global economy. This course reviews the main substantive issues of international economic relations through the contending theoretical perspectives of the field. Current trade disputes, financial crises, pandemic responses, the global recession and the U.S. elections are used to illuminate the principles of IPE. The course is a first step in understanding the organization of the world economy and its implications for nation states, civil society, private firms and international organizations.
Global Economic Governance (SISU 329)
The global economic order faces severe challenges in the form of populist nationalism, the rise of China and rejection of multilateral cooperation. Some of the countries that were responsible for creating international institutions in the mid-twentieth century are now questioning or withdrawing from them, a backlash that could ultimately halt or reverse economic globalization. This course examines the politics and institutions of global economic governance. It first reviews the basic principles associated with financial rescues and the institutions that constitute what has come to be called the “global financial safety net.” Regional funds have proliferated, challenging the International Monetary Fund and complicating its operations. Second, it examines the challenge that China as an important international creditor poses for existing governing arrangements and the stability of the system. Third, the course examines threats to economic stability posed by climate change, a matter that financial institutions must now address seriously.
International Financial Relations (SIS 666)
Globalization, which is particularly pronounced in money and financial markets, accentuates the impact of foreign financial disturbances on national economies and vice versa. Emphasizing key political and economic concepts, this course examines the historical evolution of the international monetary system, the political economy of monetary regimes, and the merits of alternative exchange rate policies. It also examines the management of international financial crises, current debate over sovereign debt restricting, and financial disruption posed by climate change. This graduate course is a sequel to International Economics (SIS 616) and a core course for the International Economic Relations field, although students in other fields are welcome. Generally taught in the spring semester.
International Political Economy (SIS 751)
This course examines the politics and institutions of the global economy. It introduces students to the contending theoretical approaches that guide the field of International Political Economy (IPE)—a subdiscipline of International Relations—including but not limited to institutionalism, open economy politics and complex governance. Students learn these approaches through the leading works in the field and scholars’ critiques of them. They review the governance of the world economy, historical evolution of capitalism, debates over multilateral institutions, economic cooperation and regulation of digital space and climate change. The course provides the analytical foundation for further coursework in several fields of graduate study in the School of International Service, including International Economic Relations (IER) and Global Governance, Politics and Security (GGPS).
International Political Economy (SISU 220)
The field of International Political Economy (IPE) studies how politics shape developments in the global economy and how economic globalization shapes national politics and economics. A subdiscipline of International Relations, IPE is concerned with the role of power, institutions and ideas in the governance of the global economy. This course reviews the main substantive issues of international economic relations through the contending theoretical perspectives of the field. Current trade disputes, financial crises, pandemic responses, the global recession and the U.S. elections are used to illuminate the principles of IPE. The course is a first step in understanding the organization of the world economy and its implications for nation states, civil society, private firms and international organizations.
Global Economic Governance (SISU 329)
The global economic order faces severe challenges in the form of populist nationalism, the rise of China and rejection of multilateral cooperation. Some of the countries that were responsible for creating international institutions in the mid-twentieth century are now questioning or withdrawing from them, a backlash that could ultimately halt or reverse economic globalization. This course examines the politics and institutions of global economic governance. It first reviews the basic principles associated with financial rescues and the institutions that constitute what has come to be called the “global financial safety net.” Regional funds have proliferated, challenging the International Monetary Fund and complicating its operations. Second, it examines the challenge that China as an important international creditor poses for existing governing arrangements and the stability of the system. Third, the course examines threats to economic stability posed by climate change, a matter that financial institutions must now address seriously.
International Financial Relations (SIS 666)
Globalization, which is particularly pronounced in money and financial markets, accentuates the impact of foreign financial disturbances on national economies and vice versa. Emphasizing key political and economic concepts, this course examines the historical evolution of the international monetary system, the political economy of monetary regimes, and the merits of alternative exchange rate policies. It also examines the management of international financial crises, current debate over sovereign debt restricting, and financial disruption posed by climate change. This graduate course is a sequel to International Economics (SIS 616) and a core course for the International Economic Relations field, although students in other fields are welcome. Generally taught in the spring semester.
International Political Economy (SIS 751)
This course examines the politics and institutions of the global economy. It introduces students to the contending theoretical approaches that guide the field of International Political Economy (IPE)—a subdiscipline of International Relations—including but not limited to institutionalism, open economy politics and complex governance. Students learn these approaches through the leading works in the field and scholars’ critiques of them. They review the governance of the world economy, historical evolution of capitalism, debates over multilateral institutions, economic cooperation and regulation of digital space and climate change. The course provides the analytical foundation for further coursework in several fields of graduate study in the School of International Service, including International Economic Relations (IER) and Global Governance, Politics and Security (GGPS).