Syllabus

Title
1309 Specialization Course - International Economics
Instructors
Pia Heckl, MSc (WU), Univ.Prof. Dr.Dr. Ingrid Kubin
Type
PI
Weekly hours
4
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/13/22 to 09/28/22
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Tuesday 10/04/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.5.27
Tuesday 10/11/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.17
Wednesday 10/12/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.03
Tuesday 10/18/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.03
Wednesday 10/19/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.06
Tuesday 10/25/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 11/02/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.06
Tuesday 11/08/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.17
Wednesday 11/09/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.06
Tuesday 11/15/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.17
Wednesday 11/16/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.06
Wednesday 11/23/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.27
Tuesday 11/29/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM EA.5.034
Wednesday 11/30/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM D5.0.002
Tuesday 12/06/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.17
Wednesday 12/07/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.06
Tuesday 12/13/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.17
Wednesday 12/14/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM D5.1.001
Tuesday 12/20/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.05
Wednesday 12/21/22 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.21
Tuesday 01/10/23 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.4.17
Wednesday 01/11/23 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM D5.1.001
Tuesday 01/17/23 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.3.21
Wednesday 01/18/23 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.5.01
Tuesday 01/24/23 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 01/25/23 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM TC.5.01
Contents

This course consists of three parts:

  1. "International Trade" will be taught by P. Heckl (on tuesdays) and will cover the main theories of international trade, dealing with the causes and consequences of trade under perfect and imperfect competition and their implications on welfare. Based on these, several types of trade policies (tariffs, quotas, trade agreements, industry protectionism, ...) will be analysed in detail, focusing on their effects on welfare and equality under different economic environments. Various current and historic examples (USA-China trade war, WTO, NAFTA, ... ) will be used to motivate the presented concepts and support the understanding of the presented theories.
  2. "International macroeconomics" will be taught by I. Kubin (on wednesdays) and will focuse on the balance of payments, the dtermination of exchange rate, the differences between exchange rate regimes and its macroeconomic implications.      
  3. After completing parts 1 and 2, selected topics and contemporary issues (e.g., monetary systems, optimal currency areas, the Euro, financial crises, sovereign default, trade policies, Brexit, infant industry protection, ...) will be presented by students. This part will be held jointly by both lecturers. 
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, students will have a good knowledge of the most important theories and models of international trade and exchange rate regimes. They will be able to apply them to real world issues and questions of economic policy relevance.
Attendance requirements

We accept two missed lectures in each part of the course (Tuesday and Wednesday respectively).

Please note that the course is an on-campus course. 

Teaching/learning method(s)
Lectures, exercises, presentations by students, essays.
Assessment

100 points achievable in total:

  • two exams (32 + 28 points)
  • several quizzes (total 15 points)
  • one data assignment (5 points)
  • one term paper - presentation and written essay (20 points)

For a positive completion of this course, at least 50 points have to be achieved in total, of which at least 25 points must be achieved in the written exams and at least 15 points in the quizzes, data assignment and term paper.

Grading:

  • Excellent (Sehr gut): 87.5 points
  • Good (Gut): 75 points
  • Satisfactory (Befriedigend): 62.5 points
  • Sufficient (Genügend): 50 points
  • Not sufficient (Nicht genügend): below 50 points
Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

Recommended pre-requisite:

  • Introduction to Economics (“Grundlagen der VWL” in STEOP)
  • Applied Microeconomics
  • International Macroeconomics
Readings
1 Author: Feenstra, R.C. and Taylor, A.M.
Title:

International Economics


Publisher: New York: Worth Publishers
Edition: 4th edition
Remarks: The WU library holds many copies - usually every participant can borrow one copy (all editions are suitable).
Year: 2017
Content relevant for class examination: Yes
Recommendation: Essential reading for all students
Type: Book
2 Author: Krugman, P. R., Obstfeld, M. and Melitz, M. J.
Title: International Economics - Theory and Policy

Publisher: Pearson
Edition: Tenth edition
Year: 2015
Content relevant for class examination: No
Recommendation: Reference literature
Type: Book
Recommended previous knowledge and skills
  • Introduction to Economics (“Grundlagen der VWL” in STEOP)
  • Applied Microeconomics
  • International Macroeconomics
Availability of lecturer(s)

Please feel free to get in touch with the lecturers via email. If you wish to meet them personally, plesae meet them after each class or ask for an appointment via email.

Last edited: 2022-04-27



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