ECON1410 – International Economics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Choose semester
Course content
The course gives an introduction to economic theory that explains why countries trade, what advantages trade gives, and what goods countries export and import. We will also look at what groups that gain and lose from trade, and discuss the political economy of trade. The course addresses questions concerning international competition and globalization. We will emphasize the importance of international rules for trade, WTO and other international organisations part in the world trade. In addition we will analyze the importance of migration and capital movement.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- Economic theory about international trade, migration and in general, factor movement across country borders
- Key facts regarding international trade
- The driving forces behind international trade and international factor movements
- The concept of comparative advantages
- Why international trade can improve welfare
- Ricardo’s theory, Heckscher-Ohlin model, and new trade theory
- The link between trade, industry structure and specialization patterns
- The reason for trade protection
- The effects of changes in trade policy for countries and worker groups – who loses and who gains from these changes?
- WTO’s role in the world economy
- The importance of foreign direct investment and multinational companies in the world economy
Skills
You should be able to
- Use graphs and algebra to analyze economic problems regarding international trade
- Master methods used in partial equilibrium analyses, as well as methods used in general equilibrium analyses
- Analyze demand and supply in a given market, as well as analyze how the markets work together. This includes how price changes in the product market will affect the prices in the factor markets.
- Analyze the effects trade has on a country’s industrial structures, specialization patterns, international trade of goods, and welfare
Competence
You should be able to
- Follow economic debates on related topics, understand the logic and reasoning behind different opinions, and be able to distinguish arguments that are based on sound economic reasoning from such that are not.
- Give comments and response on topics and questions related to those covered by the course.
Teaching
Lectures: 2 hours per week throughout the semester.
Seminars: 2 hours per week through parts of the semester.
Compulsory tuition activities:
- A compulsory term paper.
If the compulsory term paper is not approved, you may be given a second attempt to hand in a new term paper/improve the term paper within a short deadline.
See The Faculty of Social Sciences' rules regarding change of seminar groups and compulsory tuition activities.
Absence from compulsory tuition activities
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory tuition activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
A 3-hour written school exam.
You must have passed the mandatory activities in order to sit for the exam.
Digital examination
The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.
Read more about written examinations using Inspera.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
It is recommended to request an explanation of your grade before you decide to appeal.
Appeal
Explanation
The deadline to request an explanation is one week after the grade is published. For oral and practical examinations, the deadline is immediately after you have received your grade.
The explanation should normally be given within two weeks after you have asked for it. The examiner decides whether the explanation is to be given in writing or verbally.
Ask for explanation of your grade in this course.
Ask for explanation of your grade in this course (postponed exam).
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
There are restrictions on resitting this exam. See further information about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.