ECN 331 The Macroeconomics of International Trade

Autumn Semester Block Period 2006

Instructor	Roberto J. Garcia	Phone	6496-5663
Office	448 Tårn	e-mail	roberto.garcia@umb.no

 Course Objectives:

                 The course is designed to complete the student's understanding of the basic economics of trade through a formal treatment of the international macro economy and its relation to foreign exchange, capital movements, exchange rates and macroeconomic policy.  It is also the first part of ECN 330.  Specifically, the student is expected to develop:

       ·    an appreciation for the complex relationships between macroeconomic indicators and the foreign exchange markets, and the interrelationships among assets, goods, and foreign exchange markets; and

       ·    an understanding of the implications of a government's macroeconomic policy under fixed, flexible, and managed foreign exchange regimes and the economic implications of the policy choices from each.

Required Reading:

       ·     Appleyard and Field, International Economics, McGraw-Hill, Inc. 2001

       ·     Houck, Elements of Agricultural Trade Policies, Waveland Press, Inc., 1986

       ·     Supplementary reading packet (SRP) - provided electronically

       ·     Reserve readings (RR) – selected chapters to be provided electronically

Class Meetings, Assignments and Exam Schedule:

                 There are approximately 21 lecture hours planned over seven 3-hour segments, and a written examination (three hours) scheduled for 07 September.  Students can expect four assignments, to be presented in class, each of which must receive a passing grade to sit for the exam.

	Class Meetings - tentative		Written Exam
	Dates	Time	Date	Time
ECN 331	18 - 25 August	09.15 - 12.00   14.15 - 17.00*	07 Sep	09.00 - 12.00
* Afternoon sessions scheduled as needed; arranged with the consent of the class

Evaluation Criteria:

Evaluation Weights			Grading Scale
Homework	pass required		Number	Letter
Final exam	100% of grade		90 - 100	A
			80 - 89	B
			70 - 79	C
			60 - 69	D
			50 - 59	E
			< 50	F