ECON 4300� ��International Economics� ��Fall 2009 ���
Henry
Thompson ���thomph1@auburn.edu
This is a
course on international trade including topics of specialization, patterns of production,
tariffs and protectionism, and exchange rates.�
The basic theory is covered in class and presented in the text.� The course emphasizes classroom discussion and
a student paper that applies the tools of international economics.�
We will
communicate by email: assignments, questions you might have, topics for paper,
etc.
Text����������� International
Economics, Thompson
Grades������ Classroom���������� 10%����������� Grades
are on a 10-point scale��
Quizzes��������������� 40%
Paper������������������ 25%
Final ������������������ 25%�����������
������������������
The classroom
grade is based on answers to assigned Questions presented at the board.� A few students will be called on at a time to
write answers to Questions that require calculations or graphs. �Classroom participation in discussions and
answering occasional questions also counts.�
Good effort gets credit.�
Typically every student is called on about once per week.����
There will
be 10 announced quizzes and the highest 6 will count.� There are typically no make-ups on quizzes
since missing a few will not hurt your grade.�
Quizzes require writing, graphs, and calculations, in short answer
format.� The final exam questions follow
the same format.� No calculators on the
quizzes or final.�
The paper will
be on a topic of your choice and include sections on background, theory, and a
time series regression that tests a hypothesis.�
Students are responsible for finding the relevant historical data with
at least 30 years of data.� Examples of
regression analysis will be covered in class.�
Include 3 variables (dependent, independent, and control).� The conclusion should present a policy
recommendation based on theory and empirical results.� Use your own words and a standard reference
format.� Email drafts and XL files for comments
anytime.� Email paper as a Word file,
double spaced 12-point Times New Roman, maximum 5 pages with results in neat
tables.� Also email XL file with data and
regression analysis.� Papers are due 6
Dec.� No late papers.� ������
Course outline��� ������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������ Chapter
17 Aug������������������������� Introduction
24Aug�������������������������� International
markets� ���������������������������� ��������� 1
31 Aug������ 2 weeks �� Constant cost production and trade������ ��������� 2������
14 Sep�������������������������� Gains from trade�������������������������������������� ��������� 3
21 Sep������� 2 weeks���� Protectionism������������������������������������������ ��������� 4
5 Oct���������������������������� Terms of trade����������������������������������������� ��������� 5
12 Oct������� 2 weeks���� Factor
proportions trade������������������������ ��������� 6
26 Oct������� 2 weeks���� Industrial
organization and trade����������� ��������� 7
9 Nov�������� ������������������ Migration
& international investment�� ��������� 8
16 Nov��������������� ��������� International
economic integration������� ��������� 9
30 Nov��������������� ��������� Balance
of payments & foreign exchange ������ 10,
11
7 Dec 1 day�������� ��������� International
financial markets�������������� ��������� 12