Module 30-WS-GTI Global Trade and Inequality

Non-official translation of the module descriptions. Only the German version is legally binding.

The module aims at strengthening the insights into legal orders and political arrangements already acquired in modules 1 and 2. Teaching concentrates on empirical examples from the broad fields of global trade and global inequalities. Students acquire profound knowledge about institutions, actors, as well as norm and value discourses related to global trade and inequalities. We identify global patterns of inequality and global labour market structures connected to the exchange of goods and services. From international (trade) law, international relations and transnational labour perspectives, we discuss the emergence and the development of specific orders, the role of pertinent global actors and global regulations. Against the background of the disciplines contributing to the master program, students are expected to deepen and also to apply their knowledge to the examples provided in the lectures and seminars.

Students engage with diverse issues of development and international trade (law) connected to human rights, social security, migration, environmental policies, cyberlaw and internet governance, and the like. The lectures and seminars will focus on topics such as:

• the functions and roles of international organisations (e.g. the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization as well as regional organisations specifying in the fields);
• problems relating to global health, food security, climate change, refugee movements, poverty;
• policy fields, including social policies, development policies, labour policies, education.

For the accompanying course to the research discourse, the organizers of the research seminar will collaboratively develop a self-learning unit related to the seminar topic with the students, which includes participation in lectures and discussion events as well as the reading of selected relevant research literature.

Regarding the topic and assignment of the seminar paper issued by the supervising instructor, students may submit suggestions. The development of a relevant research question, the selection of an appropriate material basis, and the related adequate methodology by the students are part of the assessment performance. The students will be advised by the instructors in developing a concept for the seminar paper.

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