2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2221 The Political Economy of North-South Relations

20 Credits Class Size: 70

Module manager: Dr Jorg Wiegratz
Email: J.Wiegratz@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Module replaces

PIED2220 - North-South Linkages

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explores the principal forms of the political-economic relationship and interaction between the industrialised Global North and the newly industrialised/developing Global South. It analyses the key drivers, characteristics, and repercussions of this relationship, including how and in whose interests this structure operates. Structures and processes of global production, trade, regulation and standards will be discussed, analysing their properties and identifying points of tensions and conflicts between Northern and Southern agendas and interests. The possible impacts of the global economic crisis and the rise of new economic powers (BRICs) on states and markets in both North and South will also be considered.

Objectives

The objectives for the module are for you to engage with:

(i) key factors underlying differences in power and levels of material development between countries in the Global North and South, (ii) examine drivers of change in the North-South relationship, and (iii) the connection between power, wealth, poverty, and social harm and suffering. During the course of the module, you will be introduced to key concepts in social science to further the analysis. Transferable skills include the ability to analyse the workings of complex international and global systems, institutions and actors critically, and to make interpretations and assessments of controversial issues using evidence, literature sources, case examples, independent and critical thinking, as well as creativity.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1. Formulate arguments and analyse the principle forms of the political-economic relationship and interaction between the industrialised Global North and the newly industrialising/developing Global South.
2. Demonstrate an appreciation of the international organisations which have mediated relations between Global North and South during the post-1945 period.
3. Appreciate and critically evaluate key characteristics of global production, trade, regulation and standards.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

4. Retrieve, organise, and produce complex summaries of information and/or data relating to global production, trade, regulation and standards.
5. Synthesise bodies of information and academic literatures and to present these in an accessible and succinct way.
6. Develop a reasoned argument and to present this in an accessible and succinct way.
7. Evaluate and criticise the arguments of others.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 11 1 11
Seminar 11 1 11
Private study hours 178
Total Contact hours 22
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for each summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task. 

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Coursework . 100
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 27/03/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team