An Introduction to ECN317International Trade and International Finance

Prerequisite: equivalent knowledge to that of Principles of Economics

What does the module do?

The aims of this 20-credit level 6 undergraduate module are:

To investigate major trends in international trade, why trade occurs and why governments intervene.

To investigate the balance of payments, exchange rates and the international monetary system.

To discuss the implications of the globalisation of economic activity.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module you should be able to:

Explain and evaluate alternative theories of international trade in relation to modern trade patterns;

Debate issues of globalisation; Apply economic analysis to current policy issues in world

trade; Analyse and explain the importance of international financial

markets; Appraise the development and performance of the

international monetary system.

Teaching and Learning Style This module is delivered by a series of weekly lectures and

fortnightly tutorials. Attendance to lectures and tutorials are compulsory. We use

the Personal Response System (the ‘clickers’) to record attendance.

The student cohort will be split into different streams; each stream will be assigned a tutorial time/date. You will need to prepare for the tutorials by answering questions on the tutorial sheets and / or reading articles.

Outside of lectures and tutorials, you should spend a considerable amount of time reading, note making, research, reflective learning and revision on this module.

Topics covered• First half of the module– World trade growth and structure– Early and modern theories of international trade– International trade policy (tariffs, quotas etc.)– Regionalism, multilateralism (EU, NAFTA, WTO etc.) – Globalisation, multinationals, Foreign Direct Investment

• Second half of the module– Balance of payments, exchange rates– Exchange rate regimes and exchange rate determination– International lending and financial crises– International macroeconomics and finance– Regional monetary integration

AssessmentThis module is assessed by coursework (40%) and examination (60%).• ASSESSED COURSEWORK (40%)There will be a single piece of coursework which is compulsory. Details will be released later.

• EXAMINATION (60%)There will be a three hour written examination worth 60% of the final mark for the module.