Master 2025/2026

Foundations of Political Economy

Type: Elective course (Politics. Economics. Philosophy)

Delivered by: School of Sociology

When: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Safi Shams

Language: English

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course is intended to introduce students to core issues in political economy from the rise of markets and basic institutions of economic governance, to various issues that explain macro dynamics in economic life. Did markets precede states? Is what we refer to as the “economy” a modern invention or has it always existed? Are economic decisions made at the company level? Individual? State? Which of these is the proper unit of analysis when we’re trying to understand economic dynamics? Why do economic crises happen? And, how do we measure success and economic progress? These are among the questions we will deal with. Students will become familiar with core approaches that address these issues among others, and with the tools used for political economic research.