Help

This course has an assignment that is due by 11:55 pm Central Standard Time on Tuessday night of the first week of class. Failure to complete this assignment will result in your removal from the course for non-participation.

Textbooks

The following is required: 

The course is based on Robert J. Carbaugh’s  International Economics, 16th Edition. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. 2017.

The electronic textbook and access to MindTap can be purchased through the MindTap access instructions specific to your section, MBS, or online, using the ISBN of one of two options:

International Economics - MindTap Access (comes with e-book version): ISBN 13: 978-1-305-62920-2

International Economics (Looseleaf) - with Access: ISBN 13: 978-1-337-12742-4

Students will be using Cengage MindTap for this course. This is an online website that provides an interactive e-textbook as well as online homework assignments. NOTE: MindTap is NOT optional: the homework exercises make up 25% of the total course grade and it is where the textbook is located.  There is a document available under handouts that explains how to access this course on MindTap.

The following is recommended:

A subscription to The Wall Street Journal.

Student subscription are available for 12 weeks at a very reasonable price at: https://buy.wsj.com/offers/pages/OfferMulti1a?trackCode=aaqiri15&page=us_imt3

 

Course Description

Examination of the economic interdependence among the nations of the world. The first half of the semester covers the theory of international trade and explores such issues as why nations trade with one another, the results of such trade, and the consequences of interfering with free trade with tariffs and quotas. The second half covers international finance and focuses on the determination of exchange rates, the balance of payments, and the international transmission of business cycles.  Prerequisites: EC201 and EC202.

Course Objectives

Students who complete International Economics will:

  1. understand the concept of comparative advantage and the different explanations offered for the source of comparative advantage;
  2. be familiar with the facts regarding the globalization process as well as with the benefits and costs of globalization;
  3. be familiar with the arguments for and against free trade;
  4. understand the workings of the spot and forward foreign exchange markets and the balance of payments;
  5. understand how nations may adjust to a disequilibrium in the balance of payments;
  6. exercise and improve their analytical and writing skills.