Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Critically use the fundamentals of trade theory in applications to foreign economic policy and international macroeconomics.
Examine in a critical manner the role of trade barriers and intergovernmental trade agreements in shaping global trade relations.
Critically evaluate the operations of international organisations and their impact on domestic policies and welfare.
Critically appraise empirical data concerning economic and political developments in an international context.

Content:

This module will introduce students to a range of international economics theories and concepts, including international trade theories (comparative advantage, Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson, New Trade Theory), international trade policies (free trade, managed trade, strategic trade policy) international regulation and political influences on trade, and cultural and ethical influences on international trade. Students will also study the impact of political change, technological change and financial regulation on multinational enterprises, contrast and compare economic and business climates and economic changes across the globe, as well as appraise the role of international organisations and political developments on the global economy. This module forms part of a thread of advanced cases in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and applications.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be delivered via a series of weekly 3-hour teaching blocks, comprising whole-group interactive lecture and seminar covering fundamental theories and applications. Lectures and seminars will be supported by in-depth applied workshops.

This module will present students with selected scenarios for basic analysis in order to develop both analytical competence and the ability to identify and apply appropriate techniques in a range of typical situations. Students will be provided case studies and data sheets to interpret, explain and illustrate specific concepts related to international trade and capital flows, inter-temporal trade and the current account balance, the dynamics of open and closed economics, exchange rates and international financial markets.

The module will also make use of current newsworthy case studies and developing business trends and so the nature of the topics and exercises will vary (but will include a range of country and corporate case studies that will examine economic change in the current global environment). Students will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/ exercises to support their progress through the module material.

Lectures / seminars
Hours: 30
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Workshops / tutorials
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: Cohort or variable-size groups

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Group presentation: Students will be given a list of issues on the current WTO agenda to choose from; in groups/pairs, they will conduct a mock WTO negotiation on the issue chosen, and present the results of their discussion in a presentation supported by an artefact of their choice. This assignment will assess students' ability to articulate arguments pro and against specific trade policies, examining the implementation of intergovernmental trade agreements and the role and operations of international organisations.

Case study analysis: The second assignment tests students' ability to research and collect data to inform their discussion, their ability to apply the fundamentals of trade theory to a real world multilateral trade scenario, as well as their ability to defend or criticize various trade policies and international organisations.

Formative feedback: Weekly lectures and tutorials are taught in an interactive manner, providing semi-formal discussion and debates, peer critique and feedback, as well as quizzes and individual or group presentations, which offer ample opportunities for ample feedback and feed forward to students before their assignments.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Carmen Dorobat
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -