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2015/2016  BA-BBLCO1242U  International Economics and Competitiveness

English Title
International Economics and Competitiveness

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Evis Sinani - Department of International Economics and Management (INT)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalization and international business
Last updated on 11-08-2015
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: At the end of this course, students should be able to:
  • identify and apply the relevant theories and models to a given issue.
  • define and discuss key concepts in the analysis/discussion of the relevant theories and models.
  • discuss and critically reflect on the strength and the weaknesses of relevant theories and models applied to a given issue.
  • present and explain supporting arguments in the analysis of a given issue.
Examination
International Economics and Competitiveness:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 48 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

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 one internal examiner, and the grade for the examination is given according to the 7 point grade scale.
Course content and structure

International economics is largely about international trade, but it is also about investing abroad and entering a foreign market and thus becoming international and competitive in the world market. We will tackle both of these aspects in this course. For instance, we will discuss the classical and modern theories of trade that explain the dynamics of international trade at the industry level. However, we will also discuss why sometimes investing abroad is better than trading. In this respect we will debate why some firms across different industries will prefer the strategy of going international and enter a foreign market.

An important aspect of whether you trade, or enter a foreign market is competitiveness. 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 in a given market (based on the trade models). However, we will also tackle competitiveness in terms of firm resources and growth opportunities and how these resources influence the dynamics of competition and thus competiveness in the market.
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.
Expected literature

Textbook ( custom made book from):

International Economics: Theory and Policy, by Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz, Prentice Hall.

International Business, by Mike Peng and Klaus E. Meyer , Cenage Learning.
Last updated on 11-08-2015