ECONOMICS
4527/5527 -- INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
FALL 2008 INFORMATION SHEET
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. F.
Steb Hipple, Professor of Economics
Office -- Room 304, Wilson Hall
Phone/Voicemail -- 423-439-5304
Fax --423-439-8583
Email -- hipples@etsu.edu
Website -- http://faculty.etsu.edu/hipples
Office Hours – after class meetings and by appointment.
TEXTBOOK:
James
Gerber, International Economics. Fourth Edition.
Pearson Addison Wesley, 2008.
MEETING TIMES:
Tuesday
and Thursday Afternoons
12:45pm – 2:05pm, Sam Wilson Hall, Room 343
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:
This is a senior/graduate course in international economics. The course will
cover basic theory and policy aspects of international trade and international
finance. The major emphasis of the course is on applications and current issues
in the global economy.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of
this course, the student will be able to: (a) describe the functioning of the
international economy and the role of the United States, (b) understand the basis
for economic specialization and international trade, (c) identify the gains and
losses from trade for consumers and producers, (d) describe and evaluate the
methods that governments use to promote and restrict trade, (e) understand the
functioning and role of the international financial system, (f) analyze and
comprehend the nature of international financial crises, (g) identify and
evaluate the different strategies for economic development, and (h) comprehend
the personal and business implications of economic integration and the emerging
global economy.
COURSE ORGANIZATION: The course is
divided into two major parts. First, we will cover the basic theory and policy
aspects of international trade and international finance, and then turn our
attention to the most significant issues in the global economy. The number of
class meetings devoted to each topic is shown in brackets [n].
A. Global Institutions
Chapter 1. The
Chapter 2. International Economic Institutions [1]
B. International Trade Theory
Chapter 3. Comparative Advantage and the Gains from Trade [1]
Chapter 4. Comparative Advantage and Factor Endowments [2]
Chapter 5. Beyond Comparative Advantage [2]
-- EXAM I (Thursday, September 18)
C. International Trade Policy
Chapter 6. The Theory of Tariffs and Quotas [1]
Chapter 7. Commercial Policy [1]
Chapter 8. International Trade and Labor and Environmental Standards [1]
D. International Finance
Chapter 9. Trade and the Balance of Payments [1]
Chapter 10. Exchange Rates and the Exchange Rate System [2]
-- EXAM II (Thursday, October 16)
Chapter 11. Introduction to Open Economy Macroeconomics [1]
PART II.
ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
Chapter 12.
International Financial Crises [1]
Chapter 13. Economic Integration in
Chapter 14. The European Union: Many Markets into One [2]
-- EXAM III (Tuesday, November 11)
Chapter 15. Trade and Policy Reform in
Chapter 16. Export-Oriented Growth in
Chapter 17.
PROJECT REPORTS/REVIEW [1]
-- EXAM IV (Thursday, December 11, 1:20pm)
CLASS MEETINGS: Classes will begin
Monday, August 25, and end Friday, December 5. Holidays are Labor Day (Monday,
September 1), Fall Break (Monday and Tuesday, October 13 and 14) and Thanksgiving
(Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28). There are a total of 28 scheduled
class meetings. We will return during exam week for the last hour examination.
PREPARATION: Assigned chapters
should be carefully read before class meetings. Class lectures will focus on
the theoretical and quantitative aspects of the textbook material.
ATTENDANCE: Due to the limited size
of the class, it is important to attend every class meeting if possible. Class
roll will be taken at each class meeting; excessive absences will result in a
reduction in your overall semester grade.
EXAMS: There will be four one hour
exams. Make-up exams will be given only in cases of extreme emergency. If you
must be absent from a regularly scheduled exam, please contact your instructor
before the exam is given. The exam format will include written definitions,
problems, and essays. Each exam will count 20% of the semester grade.
REPORTS: Each undergraduate student
will be responsible for presenting a report on a topic in international
economics or international business. The report topics will be assigned by the
second week of September. A list of six printed references (books and articles)
will be due by the fourth week of September, to be supplemented by material
from the internet. Reports will be given at the beginning of class meetings
starting in mid-October. Each report should take eight to 12 minutes and should
include appropriate presentation aids. The report grade will be based upon peer
and instructor evaluation and will equal 20% of the semester grade.
ECONOMICS 5527: Each graduate
student will conduct a major research project on a topic in international
economics. The research proposal (including a bibliography) is due by
mid-September. The research proposal will be presented to the class for
approval. Report presentations will be made during the last week of classes.
The graduate student is responsible for presenting the research results through
lecture and appropriate presentation aids. The project grade will be based upon
peer and instructor evaluation and will equal 20% of the semester grade.
GRADING: The
scoring system for exams and reports is numerical (0 to 100) while the semester
grade is a letter.
The letter ranges are: "A" = 90 to 100; "B" = 80 to 89;
etc. Plus and minus grades show strong or weak performance
within the letter range.
WEBSITE: Please check our class
website for announcements. Handout materials will also be available at the
website. Go to http://faculty.etsu.edu/hipples
HELP: In addition to my posted
office hours, I will be happy to meet with you by appointment. Please feel free
to ask questions in class. Contact me for help on reading assignments and
projects. Have a good semester!