INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
Instructional goals
The course analyzes the fundamental elements of modern international economic theory and policy. The objective is to understand the behavior of the main economic variables at a global level, paying attention to aspects of international trade and open-economy macroeconomics. International economic phenomena will be studied by taking into account theoretical and empirical perspectives. Issues pertaining to international trade and open macroeconomic policy formulation and their consequences will also be addressed in institutional contexts.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
The course will offer key theoretical tools to compare theories of International Economics and to understand pros and cons of them. The course provides advanced
knowledge that will enable students to understand the processes, content and consequences of different policies across countries and globally.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The students will be able to:
- apply international trade theories to current economic situation
- examine international trade policies through comparing different approaches across countries in Europe, USA and Asia
- look at how politics and institutions may shape, constrain, and enable policymaking
- understand international macroeconomic phenomena
Making judgments
Students to will be able to analyze international economics theories, public policy and governance models as well as to demonstrate an in-depth,
critical understanding of their scope and challenges.
Throughout the whole course, students will be invited to critically analyze current events that influence international economics.
Communications Skills
This course will give students the possibility to acquire and understand major terms and concepts in order to communicate their ideas, proposals, analysis and critical reasoning. This will be done through individual contribution in class, class discussions and simulations and team-work among students.
Learning skills
This course will contribute to empower learners, giving them the proper tools to determine benefit and challenges of certain policies and the impact of current events on international economics.
Course Contents
International trade theory
Interindustry trade: Ricardo, Samuelson-Ricardo-Viner and Heckscher–Ohlin models
Intraindustry trade: The Krugman model
Firms in the global economy: Export decisions, outsourcing, and multinational enterprises
International trade policy
The instruments of trade policy
Open-economy macroeconomics
The balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, and exchange rates
Short-run output and foreign exchange interventions with fixed exchange rates
Output and exchange rates in the short-run
The International Monetary System
Financial globalization
Theory of optimum currency areas and the Euro
Reference Books
Krugman P., Obstfeld M., Melitz M., International economics, theory and policy (Pearson, last edition).
Relevant papers and documents will be uploaded on the platform of the course.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, class discussions and problem sets.
Assessment Method
Final written exam.
Thesis assignment criteria
Instructor's approval of final dissertation’s proposal.
Week 1
International Economics: An Introduction.
SECTION ONE: INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND POLICY.
World Trade: An Overview.
The Ricardian 2x2x1 Model: Technology and Comparative Advantage.
The Terms of Trade and International Production in the Ricardian Analysis.
Week 2
Ricardo and Welfare Gains from Trade. An Introduction to the Specific Factors 2x2x3 Model.
The Structure of the Specific Factors Economy.
Income Distribution and the Gains from Trade.
Week 3
International Labor Mobility.
The Heckscher-Ohlin Model: A 2x2x2 Model of International Trade.
The Rybczynski Theorem and the Stolper-Samuelson Theorem.
Week 4
Relative Prices, Income Distribution and Pattern of Trade.
Factor-Price Equalization.
Income Inequality, Globalization and Skill-Biased Technological Change.
Week 5
The Transfer Problem.
Economic growth and international trade. External Economies of Scale.
Week 6
The Theory of Imperfect Competition. The Krugman Model of Intra-industry Trade.
Monopolistic Competition and Trade. Comparative Statics in the Krugman Model.
The Instruments of Trade Policy.
Week 7
Globalization and Low-Wage Labor. Globalization and the Environment
SECTION TWO: OPEN-ECONOMY MACROECONOMICS.
The National Income Accounts in an Open Economy.
Week 8
The Balance of Payments.
Exchange Rates and the Foreign Exchange Market.
Open Economy Macroeconomics in the Short, Medium and Long-run.
Week 9
The IS-LM Model of a Small Open Economy.
Output and Exchange Rates in the Short-Run: The Mundell-Fleming Analysis.
Macroeconomic Policies under Flexible Exchange Rates.
Week 10
The Mundell-Fleming Model with Fixed Exchange Rates.
Output, Foreign Exchange Interventions and Macroeconomic Policies in the Short-Run.
Real and Monetary Shocks under Different Exchange Rate Regimes: A Comparative Analysis.
Week 11
Price Levels and the Exchange Rate in the Medium/Long-run.
A Fixed Exchange Rate Regime in the Medium/Long-Run.
The Monetary Approach to the Balance of Payments.
Week 12
The Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) Theory. Fixed versus Floating Exchange Rate Regimes.
International Monetary Systems.
Simulation of the Final Exam.