-
Study
-
Undergraduate
- Search for a Course
- Undergraduate Open Day & Events
- Application Guides
- Northumbria University UCAS Exhibitions
- Foundation Years
- Undergraduate Fees & Funding
- School & College Outreach
- Continuing Professional Development
-
Postgraduate
- Postgraduate Study Degree
- Postgraduate Research Degrees
- Postgraduate Open Days and Events
- Postgraduate Fees & Funding
- Flexible Learning
- Thinking about a Masters?
- Continuing Professional Development
- Change Direction
-
Student Life
- The Hub - Student Blog
- Accommodation
- Life in Newcastle
- Support for Students
- Careers
- Information for Parents
- Students' Union
- Northumbria Sport
- Be Part of It
-
-
International
International
Northumbria’s global footprint touches every continent across the world, through our global partnerships across 17 institutions in 10 countries, to our 277,000 strong alumni community and 150 recruitment partners – we prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Discover more about how to join Northumbria’s global family or our partnerships.
View our Global Footprint-
Applying to Northumbria
- European Union
- Our London Campus
- Northumbria Pathway
- International Events
- Entry Requirements and Country Representatives
- Regional Offices
-
Northumbria Language Centre
- Faculty Requirements
- Acceptable English Requirements
- Pre-sessional English Language and Study Skills
- Academic Language Skills Programmes (ALS)
-
International Fees, Funding & Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Fees
- International Undergraduate Funding
- International Masters Fees
- International Masters Funding
- International Postgraduate Research Fees
- International Postgraduate Research Funding
- International Money Matters
-
Life at Northumbria
- International student support
- Careers
-
International Mobility
- Current Northumbria Students
- Incoming Exchange Students
-
-
Business
Business
The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today's possibilities into tomorrows competitive edge. In a connected world, collaboration can be the key to success.
More on our Business Services -
Research
Research
Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. We conduct ground-breaking research that is responsive to the science & technology, health & well being, economic and social and arts & cultural needs for the communities
Discover more about our Research -
About Us
-
About Northumbria
- Our Strategy
- Our Staff
- Place and Partnerships
- Student Profiles
- Alumni Profiles
- Leadership & Governance
- Academic Departments
- University Services
- History of Northumbria
- Contact us
- Online Shop
-
-
Alumni
Alumni
Northumbria University is renowned for the calibre of its business-ready graduates. Our alumni network has over 244,000 graduates based in 178 countries worldwide in a range of sectors, our alumni are making a real impact on the world.
Our Alumni - Work For Us
What will I learn on this module?
You will learn about contemporary debates about the digital and sustainable transformations of global capitalism. You will gain insight into a range of topics including the development implications of contemporary capitalism organized through global production networks; contested development outcomes brought by the rise of global platform and ensuing digitalisation of everyday life; the reproduction of (un)even development through sustainability transition; and the power relations inherent in, and that emerge from these transformations at a range of scales.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn through lectures, seminars, independent learning and directed tasks (such as using study groups to lead seminars). The lectures will cover theories and concepts, case study material, key exemplars, and module staff’s own research. Where appropriate guest lecturers will be invited to provide insights into how insights into global capitalism is debated and applied beyond academia. Seminars are designed to allow you to explore issues raised in lectures and readings in greater depth. Directed and independent learning tasks will be set each week to allow you to explore the module material in your own way.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Support will include feedback from tutors during small-group seminars and one-to-one sessions (via the Department’s open-door policy). In addition, tutors will use the module’s discussion board at the University’s eLearning Portal respond to questions so that the whole module group can benefit. Time will be set aside in lectures and seminars to provide opportunities for Q&A on assignments and formative feedback. Work will be submitted electronically via the eLearning Portal.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO 1: You will critically assess the spatial and temporal scales through, and at which contemporary capitalism occurs.
• MLO 2: You will critically examine the mutual constitution of geographies of the global capitalism through economic, cultural and political processes.
• MLO 3: You will critically evaluate the processes (re)producing uneven development.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. MLO 4: You will critically apply theories and concepts covered in the module to analyse real world case studies.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. MLO 5: You will develop and demonstrate, through practice, critical thinking skills.
How will I be assessed?
There are two summative assessments for this module. You will submit both assignments electronically via Turnitin software.
The first assessment is a Seminar Poster (worth 30% of the module) which is based on your understanding of and engagement with the module’s seminars, the format of which is an A2-sized poster displaying the facts/arguments in bullet points and graphs around own-organized key themes (MLOs 1-5). You will be supported through regular opportunities for formative feedback in the seminars regarding the arguments within and design of the poster.
The second assessment is a 3000-words essay (worth 70% of the module) designed to bring together your learning across the module (MLOs 1-5).
Through this assessments you are expected to:
- mobilise academic theories and concepts in your argument
- be aware of the contemporary transformations of global capitalism and the ways in which it is spatially organized
- undertake some research into your chosen topic and provide valid evidence support and concrete case
- produce graphs/tables to show your understanding on relevant development indicators and trend
You are be given opportunities to discuss your essay structure, arguments and examples in the seminars, especially the last one which is dedicated to Q&A around the module assessment.
Pre-requisite(s)
KE5057 Economy, Space and Development
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
Global Capitalism: Digital and Sustainable Transformations allows students to engage with critical and dynamic analysis of global capitalism, namely, the global dimensions of capitalist mode of production. The module will help the students develop an understanding on the spatial articulation of global capitalism in which global lead firms, the nation states, trade unions and informal institutions all take active roles. Students will be able to acknowledge and appraise the transformations of global capitalism through two key trends: a) the rise of global platform economy and the contested development outcomes brought by digitalisation; b) the uneven and power-inflicted processes of sustainability transition characterised as green and circular economy. The module will shed lights on the ways capitalism is shaped by not only globally mobile corporations but also the states, civic organisations and grassroots communities working with and/or against it. Case studies will be used to illustrate ‘real world’ economic activity at a range of scales, and draw on module staff expertise.
The module contributes to programme learning outcomes which develop your critical thinking skills and ability to critically appraise the policy and academic debates around the digital and sustainable transformations of contemporary global capitalism by drawing on key theories from economic geography, international political economies and sociology.
Course info
UCAS Code L700
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Geography and Environmental Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints