This module aims to introduce students to the economic and business development of the major industrialised nations since 1945 and the more recent rise of emerging economies.  Different explanations of national political and economic make up  will be outlined and the concepts of 'welfare state, , varieties of capitalism', regulation modes are explained and applied in the assessed work.  Economic and business performance is discussed from several viewpoints - that of nations, cities, multinational and domestic firms.

(LO1) Students will be able to explain the main trends in development of the economies of major industrialised countries since 1945.

(LO2) Students will be able to assess the major explanations offered for differing economic and business performance using theory.

(LO3) Students will be able to understand different geographical scales of economic activity and the role played by global financial institutions in global capitalist systems.

(LO4) Students will be able to plan, execute and write up field research, breaking complex tasks into parts and steps, managing time, delegating roles and responsibilities and refining knowledge through collective discussion.

(LO5) Students will develop a knowledge of different international capitalist systems.

(LO6) Students will be able to tackle more complex problems then they could on their own by polling knowledge and skills to complete collective tasks.

(S1) Commercial awareness

(S2) Communication skills

(S3) IT skills

(S4) International awareness

(S5) Lifelong learning skills

(S6) Adaptability

(S7) Teamwork

(S8) Presentation Skills

Teaching Method: Online Asynchronous Learning Materials
Description: Learning Materials on Key Content (asynchronous). All material will be delivered/available online asynchronously. This will normally be ‘chunked’ (into shorter 15-20 minutes sessions) followed by an activity for students to complete (e.g. a quiz, an activity to apply theory). Short podcasts and selected media links and magazine/newspaper articles (delivered asynchronously online) will also be provided.
Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 12
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method: Large Group Teaching
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Seminar
Description: Students will have one-hour seminars per week. Seminars will be ‘on campus’ small group ‘active learning’ seminars to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences from peers.
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 8
Att endance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Group Study
Description: Bi-weekly 1 hour session to foster student community and engagement by working with others on their ‘active learning’ activities
Scheduled Student Hours: 6
Attendance Recorded: No

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 112
Description: Self-Directed Learning will include research activity, developing academic writing skills, and wider reading to support the module

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Commercial awareness
How this is developed: Students will develop awareness of competitiveness and industry dynamics in relation to varieties of capitalism.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - Germany, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - USA, and Timed essay

Skills / attributes: Communication skills
How this is developed: Students will review other student work (anon ymised) and comment on it. They will learn how to give feedback to other students. The timed essay will increase their capacity to express their knowledge of the course subjects and to produce an answer under time pressures.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - Germany, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - USA, and Timed essay

Skills / attributes: IT skills
How this is developed: This course is paperless. All coursework will be submitted and marked work returned electronically via VITAL. Students also submit their timed essay electronically.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - Germany, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - USA, and Timed essay

Skills / attributes: International awareness
How this is developed: The course is international in scope. Students will learn about different capitalist systems globally.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - Germany, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - USA, and Timed essay

Skills / attributes: Lifelong learning skills
How this is developed: This is developed through peer review as students appreciate understanding how other students work. The timed essay also more closely replicates the working environment as students have access to their notes and the internet to produce an essay within a set time.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - Germany, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - USA, and Timed essay

Skills / attributes: Adaptability
How this is developed: The peer review and timed essays required the students to adapt to innovative assessment methods, mediated through an electronic environment.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework, Peer marked answer on varieties of c apitalism - Germany, Peer marked answer on varieties of capitalism - USA, and Timed essay

1.  Global economy, capitalism and the welfare state
2.   Development of globalised world since 1980
3. Business structures in the industrialised world.
4.   Growth and competitiveness - US, UK, Germany and Japan.
5.  The Scandinavian model.
6.  Shift in global economy: emerging markets.
7.  Trade blocks and beyond: the EU.
8.  Deglobalisation trends and Brexit.
9.. International finance and global financial institutions.
10. Fieldtrip - Learning by observing.