Prospectus

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Trade and Finance in the Global Economy

Course
2015-2016

Tags

GED, ID, PSc, Ec

Admissions requirements

Principles of Economics.

Description

Countries are increasingly eliminating their trade barriers and international trade now truly spans the globe. Products and services come from everywhere and go everywhere. This, as well as the liberalization of large financial flows, makes countries very dependent on what happens in the international economy. At the end of this course, students will have an understanding of both the basic principles of international trade and finance as well as the recent developments in trade and finance. These will include, among other things, regional and global integration, the consequences of international financial crises on the development of economies, the interaction of economic policies in individual countries and the impact of international institutions, such as the WTO and the IMF, on the processes of globalization. Students will be able to understand, apply and discuss fundamental economic arguments on international economic issues.

Week 1: The Benefits of International Trade.
Week 2: A Reappraisal International Trade.
Week 3: Trade Policies.
Week 4: Trade Cooperation.
Week 5: Balance of Payments and Exchange Rates.
Week 6: International Financial Architecture and Financial Crises.
Week 7: European Monetary Integration

Course objectives

In this course, the student will gain a thorough acquaintance with the principles of international economics. He will understand the benefits and costs of international trade and finance, as well as the recent developments in trade and finance.

At the end of this course, the student:

  • understands the important current issues in the field of International Economics

  • has a command of the core elements in this field of expertise;

  • is able to collect, interpret and process information in the field of International Economics

Timetable

Once available, timetables will be published here.

Mode of instruction

Each week consists of two seminars. During the first seminar, the main issues in the required reading will be identified and discussed. Based on an interactive setting, the focus will be on understanding the concepts and theories in international economics. In the second seminar, students will apply their knowledge. Each week the homework consists of preparing study problems. In class the students will discuss the solutions for the problems. Applying the concepts and theories, and explaining this to each other increases the knowledge and understanding of economics.

Assessment

The assessment of this course is based on four elements:

  • Final written exam (40%)

  • Written class assignments (30 %)

  • Class participation (10%)

  • Term paper (20%)

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

Compulsory Literature

  • Kenneth A. Kennedy, An Introduction to International Economics, New Perspectives in the World Economy, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press, 2012

  • Additional material made available through Blackboard

Recommended:
Websites WTO, IMF and World Bank
Journal of International Economics
The World Economy
The Economist
http://www.voxeu.org/

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Curriculum Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Joop de Kort