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EC931: International Trade

  • Carlo Perroni

    Module Leader
  • Thomas Chen

    Module Lecturer
15 CATS - Department of Economics
Summer Module
Spring Module

Principal Aims

The module surveys key concepts and empirical findings from the economics literature on international trade and international economic relations more generally. Students will gain familiarity with analytical tools that can be applied to the interpretation and the evaluation of international trade policies and international economic institutions.

Principal Learning Outcomes

Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...demonstrate familiarity with trade-related laws and institutions (such as the WTO), and an understanding of their functions and roles – in light of the theoretical concepts and empirical evidence presented in the module. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Examination.

Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...demonstrate an understanding of the historical evolution of debates around international trade and trade policies. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Examination.

Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...demonstrate an understanding of relevant theoretical concepts, including: terms of trade, comparative advantage, trade protection and trade barriers, trade-induced rationalisation and variety effects, trade liberalisation and cooperation. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Examination.

Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...demonstrate knowledge of empirical evidence about the structure of international trade flows (in relation to their composition, their geographical patterns, their historical evolution, etc). The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Examination.

Syllabus

The module will typically cover the following topics:

• The positive theory of international trade.

• The instruments of trade policy.

• Tariffs and retaliation.

• Monopolistic Competition and International Trade.

• Intra-Industry Trade under Cournot Oligopoly.

• Strategic Trade Policy.

• The political economy of trade policy.

• International economic integration.

Context

Optional Module
L1P6 - Year 1, L1P7 - Year 1
Pre or Co-requisites
The module demands knowledge of undergraduate-level microeconomic principles and mathematical methods.

Assessment

Assessment Method
In-person Examination (100%)
Coursework Details
In-person Examination (100%)
Exam Timing
May

Exam Rubric

Time Allowed: 2 Hours

Read all instructions carefully - and read through the entire paper at least once before you start entering your answers.

There are FIVE questions in this paper. Answer TWO questions (50 marks each).

Answer each whole question in a separate booklet.

Approved pocket calculators are allowed.

You should not submit answers to more than the required number of questions. If you do, we will mark the questions in the order that they appear, up to the required number of questions in each section.

Previous exam papers can be found in the University’s past papers archive. Please note that previous exam papers may not have operated under the same exam rubric or assessment weightings as those for the current academic year. The content of past papers may also be different.

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