Courses Bachelor Display 2020-2021

Course Description To PDF
Course title International Economic Relations
Course code EBC1031
ECTS credits 6,5
Assessment Whole/Half Grades
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
5 12-4-2021 28-5-2021 L X X
Level Introductory
Coordinator Karsten Mau
For more information: k.mau@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
* Learn how to analyse international trade, capital flows and exchange rates
* Learn how to interpret and understand various types of economic policy in an international context
* Understand current discussions about developments in international relations including the current economic crisis.
Description
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) USED IN THIS COURSE IS WITH RESERVATION. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS BASED ON THE COURSE SETUP PRIOR TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE CRISIS, COURSE COORDINATORS MAY BE FORCED TO CHANGE THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS USED. THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING/ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS. International economic integration has grown tremendously over the past decades. Partly due to deregulation and liberalisation of markets, international trade and capital flows are booming. The world is indeed becoming a global village. In theory, free movement of labour, goods and capital should benefit each and every country. However, not all countries benefit equally. Some like the anti-globalist groups even contend that the industrialized world continues to exploit the developing world, leading to a widening of the gap between countries. In this course, we critically analyse the theoretical fundamentals of both the financial-monetary and real aspects of the international economy. On the monetary side, exchange rate determination, the role of international financial markets and the choice of exchange rate regime are the focus. On the real side, international competitiveness, the gains from trade and factor move inputs are central. We use the theoretical insights to discuss extensively important problems, like trade policy and the distribution of wealth across nations. Obviously, international organisations and institutions like the IMF, World Bank and WTO play an important role in our critical discussions.

Overall, the course will focus on the following topics:
* international trade,
* exchange rates,
* macroeconomic policy,
* globalisation.
Literature
Feenstra, R.C and A.M. Taylor, International Economics, 4th edition, Worth Publishers.
Prerequisites
TRANSITIONAL REGULATION (EBC1031):
Only for bachelor Fiscal Economics students who started the programme prior to academic year 2019/20.
No education. Exam/Resit only.

PREREQUISITES:
* Exchange students should have a basic knowledge of micro and macroeconomics
* An advanced level of English
Teaching methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) PBL / Presentation / Lecture / Groupwork
Assessment methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Final Paper / Participation / Written Exam
Evaluation in previous academic year For the complete evaluation of this course please click "here"
This course belongs to the following programmes / specialisations
Transitional Regulations See prerequisites