The course aims at developing analytical and negotiation skills on international economic issues.

Knowledge and understanding Students will: 1) learn the economic principles that drive policymakers’ decisions in the international economy; 2) have a clear historical perspective of the evolution of the global economy; 3) Understand the implications of international trade in terms of economic development and environmental sustainability; 4) understand the economic role of International institutions and regional development banks; 5) learn and understand causes and effects of international financial crises as well as the policies to prevent and manage them. Applying knowledge and understanding 1) Development of applied skills on search and presentation of statistical data; 2) theory and evidence based understanding of current policy issues related to the global economy; Making judgements The course will help students develop critical thinking on main global issues, based on solid theoretical arguments and the analysis of main economic news; Communication skills The presentation and discussion of current economic topics will help students develop better benefit communication and presentation skills; Learning Skills Students will learn how to develop their own opinions on main global economic phenomena; they will learn how to critically read specialized press.

The course aims at developing a critical view of some of the main contemporary issues related to the growth of global trade and the integration of national economies, like globalization and inequality, the persistence of trade imbalances, how these imbalances can give rise to or are amplified by currency and financial crises, the role of international organizations in preventing and managing crises and in promoting development and the controversies surrounding their interventions.
The first part will present an introduction to the history of international trade and trade theories. From the industrial revolution through the recent wave of globalization the main events and policies will be analyzed alongside the theories aimed at explaining these events. Special attention will be given to the relation between trade and economic development, inequalities and environmental issues. Students will also be introduced to the practical use of trade data (database search and data representation though excel).
The second part of the program will focus on the analysis of global financial flows, exchange rate mechanisms, the causes and consequences of exchange rate crises and the role of multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF in the global economy.

- Findlay R. and K. H. O’Rourke (FO) Power and Plenty: Trade, War, and the World Economy in the Second Millennium, Princeton University Press 2007 (parts of Chapters 6,7,8,9)
- Irwin D. A. (I) Free Trade under Fire, Fourth edition, Princeton University Press 2015, (Chapters 2,7)
- Kenneth A Reinert (R) - (2012) An introduction to international economics _ new perspectives on the world economy (2012), Cambridge University Press (Chapters 7,13 15,16,17,23)

lectures, class presentations, external speakers

Mid-term and final written Exams (80%). Essay and presentation (20%) Reaction paper 1 point of bonus

for students with minimum average grade 28/30