In 2020, the global economy collapsed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, originating in China and rapidly spreading worldwide. As recovery began, the Ukraine-Russia conflict in February 2022 further destabilized the global economy, highlighting tensions between Western alliances (USA, EU, NATO) and Eastern emerging economies (Russia, China). These events underscored the challenges of globalization, shifting global power, and the evolving roles of international institutions.

Globalization has expanded social structures, altered production methods, and increased global interdependence. While it has accelerated technology access, communication, and innovation, and fostered economic prosperity, it has also raised ethical and financial concerns. This course aims to increase awareness of global issues, covering international economic relations, institutions, and social problems like human rights. Participants will explore ethical considerations and prepare projects on selected global issues.

The goal of the course is to raise awareness of global issues that concern modern societies. The course is divided into two parts: The first part outlines how international economic relations and institutions are interconnected and creates a sphere of economic globalisation. It also outlines three traditional approaches to international political economy that help to identify key actors, process, and level of analysis. The second part focuses on social problems. Students are introduced to the concepts of human rights and their protection, and afterwards some of the global issues are presented. The participants are to prepare projects about selected problems. Furthermore, some ethical considerations are introduce both in economic and social activities of the people. 

1. WEEK 1

   1. Introduction: Economy, Globalisation and Modern State (4 hrs)

   2. Development in the Developed World (4 hrs)

   3. Traditional and new approaches to Economic Globalisation (4 hrs)

   4. Globalisation debate in International Political Economy: Trends & Challenges (4 hrs)

   5. International Institutions in the Globalising World Economy (4 hrs) 

2. WEEK 2

   1. Education and Illiteracy

   2. Ethical Considerations

   3. Human Rights

   4. Discrimination

   5. Presentation

• J. Baylis, S. Smith, P. Owens, The Globalisation of World Politics: An introduction to international relations, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, 2014.

• P. Pant, International Relations in the 21st Century, McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited, New Delhi, 2015.

• P. Murali, Evolution of Markets and Institutions: A Study of an Emerging Economy, Routledge, London, 2006.