Nearly half of world trade nowadays is carried through regional integration arrangements and preferential trade agreements. These agreements exhibit a range of specific legal and institutional features and have important economic as well as (geo) political consequences. The module will explore the proliferation of PTAs, their historical development and varied driving forces. It will discuss their substantive scope in relation to: free trade provisions or more advanced forms of integration, covering market access as well ‘beyond border’ regimes, trade of goods as well as services. The module will examine the legal and institutional fundamentals of such agreements, including modes of decision-making and dispute resolution, in their regional variations. These issues will be illustrated by reference to a selection of PTAs and regional blocs. The module will also address issues of the economic and political impact of PTAs on their members and the multilateral/WTO system, more generally. The module will have a legal focus but will also draw on key perspectives from international relations and political economy of international trade.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
engage with a broad range of specialised literature and synthesize relevant information on preferential trade agreements and regional blocs.
demonstrate development of high level skills in advanced critical skills
prepare and produce clear, sustained, and well-structured arguments.
show development of enhanced research and written communication skills.
exhibit development of the ability to make appropriate use of varied databases.
Assessment
29863-01 : Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessments: 1 x 6,000 word essay Reassessment: 1 x 6,000 word essay
