Capitalism and Geopolitics (L2062S)
Capitalism and Geopolitics
Module L2062S
Module details for 2025/26.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
What is capitalism? What is the relation between capitalism and geopolitics? Why does capitalism exist within an inter-state system? This multi-disciplinary module examines how the interaction between capitalism and geopolitics has shaped different political communities and world orders from the 17th to the 21st century.
You will study key theoretical perspectives – from the classical thinkers (Karl Marx and Max Weber) and contemporary Historical Sociologists (Robert Brenner, Immanuel Wallerstein), to more recent IR Theory (Realism and Marxism) - and combine these with in-depth interrogations of the historical material: the key events, processes, actors that shaped this turbulent international history of war and peace, crises and revolutions, conquest and exploitation.
You will explore sequentially different historical geopolitical orders – Westphalian absolutism, British Hegemony, the new imperialism, fascist greater spaces, liberal US hegemony, and contemporary neo-imperialism - and learn how each order broke down and was reconfigured in major international peace settlements.
Module learning outcomes
Develop a systematic and critical understanding of the key debates in International Historical Sociology that helps to explain and interpret the historical co-development of capitalism and goepolitics.
Develop a detailed conceptual understanding of the historical development and expansion of the European system of states from the 17th to the 21st centuries.
Effectively synthesise and communicate the theoretical and empirical uncertainties, ambiguities and limits in the way that International Historical Sociology explains the emergence of the European system of states.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | T2 Week 7 | 100.00% |
| Essay (3500 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:00 | 70.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 3 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Benno Teschke
Convenor
/profiles/127274
Dr Melanie Richter-Montpetit
Assess convenor
/profiles/349663
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