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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EC 316-2"
COURSE NAME: "International Economics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Asdrubali Pierfederico
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 19:30-20:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: Junior Standing, EC 201, EC 202
OFFICE HOURS: M W, 7:00pm-7:30pm & by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
To analyze key variables in international economics within coherent models
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

1. Introduction to International Economics.

2. Review of some micro and macro concepts.

3. The Ricardian theory of comparative advantage.

4. Sources of comparative advantage: the Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson theory.

5. Extensions of the standard trade model.

6. Tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade.

7. Commercial policy and other issues in international trade.

8. Foreign exchange market.

9. Balance of payments statement.

10. The output market.

11. The money market.

12. Short run equilibrium under fixed exchange rates.

13. Short run equilibrium under flexible exchange rates.

14. Prices and exchange rates in the long run.

15. Aggregate demand and aggregate supply.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
 
  1. Learning how economic variables behave in an international setting and how economic policies try to manage them
  2. Improving communication skills and critical reading by participating to class discussions of economic news and preparing class presentations
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The World Economy.Trade and FinanceBeth V. Yarbrough and Robert M. YarbroughThomson Learning0324315414 Website: http://websites.swlearning.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=0324203977&discipline_number=413   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm 30
Group presentationStudents will be assigned articles or topics to research for an in-class group presentation, worth 20% of the final grade20
Final 50

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
All exams will be composed of 3 parts: multiple choice questions, analytical problems, and an essay question. Each part contributes different points to the exam grade.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class attendance is strongly recommended, as lectures may differ from the textbook.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 

1.       September 3: Introduction to International Economics (chap. 1). Course mechanics

2.       September 5: Review of some micro concepts.

3.       September 10: Which countries trade? The gravity equation

4.       September 12: Why and what do countries trade? The Ricardian theory of comparative advantage (chap. 2).

5.       September 17: Why and what do countries trade? The Ricardian theory of comparative advantage (chap. 2).

6.       September 19: Why and what do countries trade? The Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson theory (chap. 3).

7.       September 24: Why and what do countries trade? Extensions of the standard trade model (chaps. 4-5)

8.       September 26: Why and what do countries trade? Extensions of the standard trade model (chaps. 4-5)

9.       October 1: Tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade (chaps. 6-7).

10.   October 3: Tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade (chaps. 6-7).

11.   October 8: Commercial policy and other issues in international trade (chaps. 8-11).

12.   October 10: Commercial policy and other issues in international trade (chaps. 8-11).

13.   October 15: Review session on International Trade

14.  October 17: Midterm exam (chapters 1-11)

15.   October 22: Review of some macro concepts

16.   October 24: Foreign exchange market (chap. 12).

17.   October 29: Foreign exchange market (chap. 12).

18.   October 31: Balance of payments statement (chap. 13).

19.   November 5: The output market (chap. 14).

20.   November 7: The money market (chap. 15).

21.   November 12: The money market (chap. 15).

22.   November 14: Short run equilibrium under fixed exchange rates (chap. 16).

23.   November 19: Short run equilibrium under flexible exchange rates (chap. 17).

24.   November 21: Prices and exchange rates in the long run (chap. 18).

25.   November 26: Prices and exchange rates in the long run (chap. 18).

26.   November 28: Aggregate demand and aggregate supply (chap. 19).

27.  November 30: General Review.

28.  December 3: Class presentations.

29.  December 5: Class presentations. Last day of class.

30. December 9-14: Final Exam (comprehensive) [See University schedule for exact time]