University of Sussex

This course interrogates issues from the perspective of Political Theory and examines the extent to which we are moving to a post-liberal world. Primarily, the course explores whether the claim that we are moving towards a post-liberal world is true. Encompassed within this interrogation, the course looks at real-world political problems and trends that make this trajectory possible, as well as what form a post-liberal world might take, and whether this is desirable. Students are encouraged to argue critically as to whether a post-liberal world is desirable or not and explore the ways through which this might be prevented. This culminates in a critical analysis of how liberal theory could be re-imagined or justified to respond to modern world issues.

This course explores the theories and concepts drawn from research in marketing psychology and how these shed light on consumers' motivations and behaviors. It examines fundamental processes in consumer behavior, such as decision-making, perception, learning, memory, the self, attitudes, and persuasion. It investigates the extent to which these processes are influenced by individual, situational, environmental, inter-personal, and cultural (sub-cultural) factors. Through a focus on contemporary issues in consumer behavior, and the challenges these may pose to marketing managers, students apply conceptual and theoretical ideas in marketing psychology and to analyze, evaluate, and improve, marketing strategies. Students reflect and critically evaluate their own behaviors as consumers.

This course studies a range of key historical problems and conceptual questions relating to the colonial and postcolonial experience. Focus is placed on the characteristics of capitalism, imperialism, and modernity, and students also examine the making of the modern world. Students gain an overview of European expansion, the slave economy, the development of wage labor, industrial growth, imperialism, creation of the modern state, genocide, development, anti-colonialism, and the creation of the “third world.” Students are exposed to a long-term, historical view within which the material of subsequent development studies courses may be usefully contextualized. Assessment is based fully on a final essay.

The services sector accounts for three-quarters of GDP and employment in developed countries. This course explores the distinctive characteristics of services and explain how these impact on the marketing used by firms. Student examine the management of service processes, customer behavior in service settings, internal marketing and the role of employees, and the management of customer relationships. The importance of service quality, complaint handling, and service recovery are also explored.

The course introduces students to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) using both the current industry standard software, and the increasing number of web-based geographical tools. The course provides a theoretical background that enables students to look critically at the subject while providing them with practical skills in using these tools. Students gain direct experience of a range of data collection, data capture, database, analytical, and visualization techniques.

This course represents an introduction to international marketing and develops knowledge of the international environment and international marketing. The increased scope, risk, and complexity faced by the international marketer is due to the increased level of uncertainty from operating in diverse and less understood environments. Emphasis is placed on the identification of challenges presented by international marketing to equip students to deal with differences, opportunities, and threats emerging from diverse economic, demographic, political/legal, cultural, technical, and competitive environments. The impact of international issues is related during the course to the marketing decision-making task at three levels; the macro level at which country selection decisions are made; national level at which market entry decisions are made; and market level where marketing mix decisions are made.

The course introduces students to the idea that economics, like all of the natural sciences, can be a laboratory science. Students study the role laboratory experiments can play in testing economic theories, as well as suggesting new ones. This is achieved through a series of topics in experimental economics, including market experiments, individual decision making experiments, and game theory experiments. 

This course introduces international education and development through three lenses. The course first examines why education is seen as important for development, drawing upon economic, rights-based, and socio-cultural perspectives. It then examines the way education is measured and targets are set for development. The course provides grounding in education and international development, with a particular focus on the challenges facing resource-constrained and rapidly expanding educational systems. 

In this interdisciplinary course, students are introduced to the risks, hazards, and disasters associated with the Earth’s natural environments and the growing impacts of human activity on them. Students consider the nature of hazards, disasters, risks, and how their impacts can be reduced through mitigation, protection, and adaptation. 

The management of brands is an important element of marketing strategies within contemporary organizations. This course builds upon the student's prior knowledge of marketing and management by exploring the fascinating world of brands from various perspectives. The course highlights the ubiquitous presence of brands in our contemporary cultures and explores consequences for contemporary marketing practices and for customer-oriented marketing practices.