NIFB14006U International Economics

Volume 2024/2025
Education

BSc Programme in Environmental and Food Economics
BSc Programme in Natural Resources

Content

This course explores the theoretical foundations of International Trade. The course focuses on why countries trade, what they trade, and how international trade affects peoples welfare. We will also discuss how governments use policies to influence trade flows and the ensuing welfare impacts. The topics covered in the course include:

  • Classical trade theories
  • Theories of trade with imperfect competition
  • Trade policy analysis

 

Learning Outcome

After completing this course a student should be able to:


Knowledge

  • Describe actual trade patterns and their development over time
  • Identify and distinguish between different international trade models by their assumptions
  • Describe and compare the main features and results of the different models


Skills

  • Derive comparative statics within the economic models of international trade covered in the course
  • Explain the outcome of comparative statics in terms of model mechanics, assumptions and economic logic
  • Relate model predictions to observed trade flows


Competences

  • Apply relevant economic theories to real-world issues. This involves i) setting up an economic model applicable to the real-world issue; ii) conducting relevant analyses (comparative statics) within the model and iii) interpreting the results in terms of real-world concepts and providing policy conclusions/​recommendations
  • Evaluate the applicability of different economic models for analyzing specific real-world issues

 

Literature

The course uses an undergraduate textbook in International Economics to be announced on the course website at least two weeks prior to the start of the course. An example of such a textbook is

Robert Feenstra and Alan Taylor, "International Trade", 4th edition, Worth Publishers

It is highly recommended to have passed a basic course in microeconomics and mathematics.
Mix of lectures and theoretical exercises.
The course is a bachelor course for Environmental and Food Economics. May be taken as a master level course for all other studies.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 48
  • Preparation
  • 130
  • Theory exercises
  • 12
  • Practical exercises
  • 12
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Total
  • 206
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
On-site written exam, 4 hours under invigilation
Type of assessment details
The on-site written exam is an ITX exam.
See important information about ITX-exams at Study Information, menu point: Exams -> Exam types and rules -> Written on-site exams (ITX)
Aid
Only certain aids allowed

In addition to the standard ITX programs, students can have access to English dictionaries.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

Like the ordinary exam.

If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral. 20 minutes with 20 minutes for preparation. No aids allowed during preparation.

 

Criteria for exam assesment

See the Learning Outcomes