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2010/2011  BA-BLC_2IEC  International Economics and Competitiveness

English Title
International Economics and Competitiveness

Course Information

Language English
Point 7,5 ECTS (225 SAT)
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Course Period Autumn
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study Board
Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course Coordinator
  • Evis Sinani - Department of International Economics and Management
Main Category of the Course
  • Globalization, International Business, markets and studies
Last updated on 29 maj 2012
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, students should be able:
  • to summarize, describe and discuss the classical and modern theoretical approaches covered in the readings of the course.
  • to select and apply the relevant theories and models in the analysis of real world phenomena.
  • to define and discuss key concepts of the course curriculum.
  • to compare the relevant theories and models and point out their differences and/or similarities as well as discuss their explicabilities and real world implications.
  • to explain the dynamics of international trade and competitiveness at the industry and country level.
Examination
International Economics and Competitiveness
Marking Scale 7-step scale
Censorship Internal examiners
Exam Period December/January
The course concludes with an examination, which is based on a 48-hour written essay, which is written individually. The examination consists of two or more essay questions based on the course content. The student is required to choose only one question on which to write the essay of maximum 5 pages (1 page equals 2275 STU). The essay is graded by the teacher and an internal censor, and the grade for the examination is given according to the 7 point grade scale.
Examination
Prerequisites for Attending the Exam
Course Content

This course presents a number of classical and modern theoretical approaches that enable the students to understand and explain the dynamics of international trade and production at the industry level, as well as why countries trade with each other and how trade is beneficial to them. The course furthermore discusses important issues such as the effect that different policy measures, such as tariffs, introduced at a particular industry, have on trade and the country’s economic welfare. Students will also learn about the competitiveness of industries and its importance at the country level. Consequently, competitiveness will be discussed as a comparative concept of the ability and the performance of firms within an industry or a country to sell and supply goods or services in a given market (based on the trade models). However, we will also tackle competitiveness at the industry as well as country level based on strategy theories, such as Porters’ theories. Hence, we study the modern industry analysis models, which at a more general level deal with the factors that influence industry competitiveness and discuss how positions of strength are developed within industries.

Teaching Methods
This course employs a mix of lectures and case studies. Lectures will cover core concepts and theories in international economics and competitiveness, and all the class is expected to participate in an interactive discussion. Case studies will be included in order to demonstrate the practical importance of the concepts and theories introduced in lectures. In such cases, case studies will have to be read and prepared by students before the lecture. In the class students will be presented with questions regarding the case. This will provide the basis for a greater level of interaction and student understanding of theoretical notions.
Literature

Krugman, Paul and Maurice Obstfeld. International Economics – Theory and Policy, eighth edition, Boston: Addison-Wesley.

Supplement:

Porter, Michael. The five competitive forces that shape the strategy. Harvard Business Review, January 2008.

Thomas Pugel. (2009). International Economics. Edition 14, Chapter 13: Trade and the Environment.

Thomas Pugel. (2009). International Economics. Edition 14, Chapter 15: Multinationals and Migration: International Factor Movements.