International Economy

Code:

LRI004

Acronym:

ECOINT

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Sociology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Languages and International Relations

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LRI	78	LRI - Study Plan	2	-	6	4	4

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Learn about the main paradigms of international economics; acquire knowledge on trade theory and policy. Interpret correctly information on international economic relations. Understand the main economic arguments that present the benefits and costs of free trade and protectionism.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the semester, students should be able to: 

- apply correctly the concepts related with international economics; 

- develop a critical and reflexive stand in analyzing international economics data. 

 - develop oral and written communication skills.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

There is no formal prerequisite. However, it is assumed that students have some knowledge of economics - at the level, for example, of Introduction to Economics (LRI010) or Economics (SOCI009).

Program

I - Introduction

1. International Trade and Economics
2. Recent Trends in the world economy.
3. International Trade Indicators

 

II - The Political Economy of International Trade

1. Instruments of trade policy
2. Free Trade vs. protectionism: costs and benefits
3. The World Trade Organization
4. Economic integration

 

III - Theories of International Trade

1. The Classical Trade theory
2. The Neoclassical Trade Theory
3. New theories

 

IV – Other Topics

Mandatory literature

Krugman, P., M. Obstfeld e M. Melitz ; International Economics: Theory and Policy, Global Edition, 11ª edição, Pearson Higher Education, 2018

Complementary Bibliography

Appleyard, D. e A. Field ; International Economics, 9ª edição, McGraw-Hill Education, 2017
Feenstra, R. C. e A. M. Taylor ; International Trade, 4ª edição, Worth Publishers, 2016
Salvatore, D.; International Economics, 12ª edição, Wiley, 2016

Teaching methods and learning activities

The learning process is based on theoretical-practical lessons (TP) and tutorial sessions (OT).

TP lessons are dedicated to the theoretical description of the topics covered in the syllabus, illustrating with practical examples and case studies, many of which related to Portugal and Europe.

On OT sessions, exercises covering the main topics of the course are solved and a discussion about several international events is promoted, encouraging the participation of the Students.

Students also benefit from personal attending sessions, in which they discuss any questions regarding the course, its topics and materials. All course materials (e.g., slides, texts, assignments) are available to all students registered in the course at SIGARRA.

The adopted method of evaluation is one of “distributed evaluation with final exam”. The final mark corresponds to the weighted average of the exam classification (70%) and the classification obtained in the OT component (30%).

keywords

Social sciences > Economics > International economics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Teste	15,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	77,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho escrito	33,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

According to FLUP’s regulations. The final grade corresponds to a weighted average of the grade obtained in the final exam and in the OT component. Students without a passing grade may take the resit exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark corresponds to the weighted average of the exam classification (70%) and the classification in the OT component (30%). Students have also to conclude all the components of assessment with a minimum mark of 8 points (out of 20).

Classification improvement

According to FLUP’s regulations. The final mark corresponds to the weighted average of the exam classification (70%) and the classification in the OT component (30%). Only the final exam component can be subject to classification improvement. The OT component is not subject to classification improvement.

Observations

Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, the course has been operating online since March 16th. This has included synchronous classes through the Colibri / Zoom platform, as well as the use of the Panopto, Moodle, SIGARRA and the institutional email, for accessing content and communicating with students. The Kahoots platform has been used to do exercises and case studies in class.

As for grading, and following a negotiation with the students, the OT component and respective gradeare now defined as follows:

OT Grade = Maximum {Essay 1; Average (Essay 1; Essay 2)},

Essay 1 being the essay initially foreseen and Essay 2 being an additional essay that replaces the test previously included in the OT component.

There was no further changes in the grading components, rules of the course or formula for calculating the final grade.

Thus, grading includes the OT component (30%) and Final Exam (70%). The final exam will be carried out at FLUP, respecting the safety and public health standards appropriate to the pandemic situation.