ECON30160 International Trade Economics

Academic Year 2024/2025

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of international trade where the overarching interest is what determines the flow of goods, services, and capital across countries. In particular, this course explores the various factors that shape trade patterns from both a theoretical and empirical point of view. Students will be familiarised with theoretical models in order to understand the dynamics of international trade and to critically discuss their relevance in the context of the changing geopolitical environment in which these policies exist. Where relevant, we will also review data on trade and its impacts.

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Curricular information is subject to change

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.


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.

Additional readings may be offered for some topics. These will be announced in class.

Topics
- Trade in the global economy
- Gravity
- Trade and technology: The Ricardian model
- Trade and resources: The Heckscher-Ohlin model
- Trade imbalances
- Firms in the global economy
- Import tariffs and quotas under perfect competition
- International trade agreements: trade, labour and the environment
- Time permitting further topics may be covered.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

22
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Online Learning

20
Total

102
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The primary dissemination for this course will be during lectures. Note that slides will not be used during lectures and therefore no slides can be provided. Attending lectures, however, is how I provide you with information. To learn it, you will need to take that information, reflect on it, use it in practice problems and assessments, and develop its application through personal study. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ECON3017J - International Trade Economics


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): Final exam. n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

50
Exam (In-person): Midterm exam done in class. Those with an approved extenuating circumstance will have a resit the final week of term. n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

40
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Six online quizzes due every other week. Full marks on submission with five of the six counting for grades. There is no makeup for missed quizzes. Dates listed in the syllabus. n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Ronald Davies Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Matthew Amalitinga Abagna Tutor