MSc Global Corporations and Policy

This module provides a grounding in theories of development broadly through the disciplines of sociology and politics and is a prerequisite to the module Policies and Practices of Development in the second semester. In this module we explore theoretical ideas and debates on development through an historical perspective. These ideas and debates are better understood when located in the historical contexts and conditions that generate them. This shapes which issues and problems are identified, how they are identified, how solutions to them are sought and by whom.  This approach puts questions of agency at the centre of understanding development ideas and policies.

Building on the theoretical insights of the sister module Theories of Development, this module engages with the multifaceted nature of development and the diverse agencies involved in shaping it. A critical perspective, grounded in insights from both cutting edge and established research, encourages students to challenge established norms and think critically about the impact of development interventions. Overall, this module provides students with a comprehensive view of development policies and practices and to consider alternatives.

The MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy addresses precisely these issues, treating climate and energy policy as inextricably linked. Cases drawn from both the Global North and South will form the basis of your studies as you examine how policy is made, advocated and implemented – or sometimes prevented – around the world.

The module provides students with an understanding of the UN system. It examines the context provided by situating the UN within other International Organisations (IOs). Understanding the heritage, operation, and goals of the UN and its constituent parts will add breadth and depth to the student experience. The course is deliberately designed to take advantage of cutting-edge research by academics at SOAS and elsewhere; it is research-driven teaching, drawing extensively on new research in the field.

This module is designed to provide a critical introduction to international relations theory and contemporary world politics for students with no prior background in international relations. Students will acquire a solid grounding in international relations theory and how to apply it to understand and analyse key developments in world politics from 1945 to the present, including the Cold War, decolonization, globalization, development, and the War on Terror, amongst others.

The Risk and Policy Analysis course teaches a core set of skills required of public, private and non-profit sector policy professionals, including: analysing, assessing and managing risks, understanding cost-benefit analysis, analysing stakeholders, scenario mapping, writing policy analysis, assessing policy impacts, and strategically communicating (policy) positions. Cases analysed are drawn from a wide range of policy fields and the skills profile taught is transferable across sectors in policy, diplomatic and corporate settings. The training is conducted through lectures and tutorials run in cooperation with external practitioners representing government, NGOs, think tank, risk advisory and business backgrounds.

This course provides an advanced introduction to global advocacy. The aim of the module is to teach the theories and skills that allow an individual to be a more effective in achieving their advocacy objectives.

The aim of this module is to introduce the philosophical, theoretical and practical bases of conducting academic research.

This module provides students with fundamental knowledge in principles of international corporate finance and asset pricing to understand and analyse the major issues affecting the financial policies of corporation in capital markets. This course is concerned with the decisions that firms make about financing their investment in a global economic environment. You will study the principles underlying such decision-making, their application and debates over them in relation to the modern literature to develop analytical skills in a challenging global environment, and other complex specialised contexts.

This module provides students with fundamental knowledge about how to use financial tools to manage risk. The risk tools of management covered by the module include portfolio analysis; bonds and the yield curve; financial derivatives (including forwards and futures); options (and how to use them to hedge) and Value at Risk (VaR).

This course aims to develop an understanding of key issues in international business and management within a rapidly changing business environment. It focuses on the structure and behaviour of large multinational companies and small international entrepreneurial firms. This course expects to build up the knowledge and skills in international management field, which will contribute to the knowledge learning for related courses.

This module is designed to develop cultural intelligence through a highly practical approach to enhance interpersonal and intercultural communication skills for future career in international teams and global business environment. The body of the module examines the fundamental concepts of cultural, assesses the impact of cultural values in intercultural business environment and explores the the impact of cultural difference on international team effectiveness, business negotiations, communication, and personal presentation.

The aim of this module is to introduce the key concepts of Human Resource Management (HRM) by examining the evolution, functions and processes of HRM within a theoretical and ‘best practice’ context. The module then focuses on HRM from a global perspective and assesses the operation of HRM across distinct cultural and business contexts.

The overall objective of this module is to provide an informed appreciation of international marketing as an academic subject and management practice. This module focuses on the central strategic issue in international marketing – standardisation versus adaptation and examines the topics of marketing competitive advantage in relation to changing consumer behaviour and customer relationships.