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2025/2026  BA-BINBO1129U  International Economics

English Title
International Economics

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course First Quarter, Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board of Global Relations
Course coordinator
  • Daniel Borowczyk-Martins - Department of Economics (ECON)
Main academic disciplines
  • Economics
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 13-02-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
After having attended the course the students should be able to:
  • Explain basic concepts in International Economics in a comprehensive and intuitive way
  • Describe and rationalize the main assumptions behind trade models.
  • Perform policy experiments based on trade models.
  • Illustrate diagrammatically these models and perform analysis of patterns of trade, gains from trade and redistributive effects of trade
  • • Solve algebraically simple trade models in order to determine the equilibrium economic variables.
Examination
International Economics:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn and Winter
Aids Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • Any calculator
  • Language dictionaries in paper format
The student will have access to
  • basic IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach


This course offers a detailed introduction to international economics. We study several trade theories with the goal of explaining why international trade takes place, what are the benefits of international trade, and in what patterns countries trade with each other. We also study trade policy tools and their implications for market equilibrium (prices and quantities), social welfare (gross national product) and the distribution of welfare (inequality).
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • Models
Research-like activities
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
face to face class
Feedback during the teaching period
This course comprises the following feedback activities. First, partial written solutions to exercises and quizzes with the goal of helping you figure out the solutions by yourself. Two, during exercise classes the teaching assistant will go through the solutions of some exercises in detail, focusing on the problems raised by students. Third, you can ask questions to the unit director via an online forum or by booking a slot during the online office hours to discuss/clarify any aspect of the syllabus on which you have problems.
Student workload
Lectures / class exercises / “homework cafés” / workshops etc 42 hours
Preparation time (readings, group work etc.): 126 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period 14 hours
Expected literature

Paul R. Krugman, Maurice Obstfeld and Marc Melitz, International Economics: Theory and Policy, Global Edition, 12th Edition.

 

Additional optional readings will be posted on the website of the course.
Last updated on 13-02-2025