Learning Outcomes:
On completing this module students will be able to
• Compare at the level of formal analysis, the major models of international trade and be able to distinguish between them in terms of their assumptions and economic implications.
• Employ the principle of comparative advantage and its formal expression and interpretation within different theoretical models.
• Demonstrate and contrast the economic effects of trade policy instruments such as tariffs, quotas, export subsidies as well as those of the creation of preferential trading arrangements such as free trade areas, customs unions and common markets.
• Identify and critically appraise major recent developments in the world trading system.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in groups and prepare a scientific report.
Indicative Module Content:
The main textbook for this module is:
International Trade, R. Feenstra and A. Taylor, 5th edition, Macmillan Education 2021. (FT) Earlier editions of this textbook are fine.
Please note, this is equivalent to Parts 1-4 (chapters 1-11) of:
International Economics, R. Feenstra and A. Taylor, 5th edition, Macmillan Education 2021.
This is available from the UCD library.
For two topics this will be complemented by:
International Economics – Theory and Policy, P.R. Krugman, M. Obstfeld and M.J. Melitz, 11th edition, Pearson 2018. (KOM)
Topics
- Trade in the global economy (FT ch. 1)
- Gravity (KOM ch. 2)
- Trade and technology: The Ricardian model (FT ch. 2)
- Trade and resources: The Heckscher-Ohlin model (FT ch. 4)
- Firms in the global economy (KOM ch. 8)
- Import tariffs and quotas under perfect competition (FT ch. 8)
- International trade agreements: trade, labour and the environment (FT ch. 11)
- Time permitting further topics may be covered.