IE/PO 318 - Germany in the Global Economy

This course introduces students to the German economic and political model with a special focus on Germany’s role in the European and Global economy. The first part of the course will focus on Germany’s history, economy and politics, the second part puts more emphasis on contemporary issues and the role of Germany within the European Union (EU). The course will also look into global economic governance, particularly the global trade regime, from the perspective of Germany and the EU. At the end of this course, students will be prepared to assess the specifics of the German economy embedded in Europe and the world: How did Germany become the third largest export economy in the world? What is the role of government for its economic success? How have the Deutschmark and, later, the Euro and the broader process of European integration affected the German economy? How have politics and the ideology of the government affected German economy throughout its history? What is the impact of German trade surpluses on its European and global partners? Those are just few of the questions that the class will aim to answer. The interdisciplinary approach of this course, combining political science, economics, history, and international political economy will give students a broad picture of salient topics that determine the German economic model.

NOTE: This course is offered during the regular semester and in the winter. For winter sections, the course schedule is condensed, but the content, learning outcomes, and contact hours are the same.