module specification

This module develops a framework for analysing important themes and events in the international economy.

1. cover important themes within the international economy e.g. globalisation, economic growth and volatility;
2. address topical issues such as the role of multinational corporations, financial market crisis and industrial decline;
3. facilitate and support students in utilising personal resources and materials so that they can carry out independent research into an aspect of the international economy, using research methods appropriate to the task.
4. develop the researching, analysing data, presenting data, communication, problem solving, interpersonal and creative skills of students.
 

• Economic globalisation focused on global production, global trade and outsourcing.
• The relationship between globalisation and competition.
• Impact of trade liberalisation – examines free trade and the link between international trade and labour markets
• Impact of global finance – looks at the consequences of global financial markets
• The role of regulation and policy in global trade and finance
• Global Financial Crisis - East Asian crisis (1997), Argentina (2001), credit crunch (2007)
• Growth Policy - trade policy and growth, financial liberalisation and growth
• Growth Performance – developing country case studies
• Deindustrialisation - structural change in mature economies
• Global commodity markets
• Trade, economic growth and the environment
• Economics of environmental regulation

Formal teaching and learning on the module will take place in lectures, workshops and seminars. The lectures will be the primary means through which students are introduced to the core international economic issues under investigation. The lectures will map out the core content of the module. The workshops will involve greater student participation and will require students to engage with specific issues related to research topics and their presentation. The seminars will be centred on student group presentations and will give students an opportunity to discuss global economic issues in depth. These presentations will receive both formative and summative feedback.

1. explore issues facing actors in the international economy using a combination of theory,  descriptive statistics, empirical studies and policy discussion;
2. organise self and learning materials and apply appropriate research methods, consistent with personal development planning and employability, so as to analyse a topical event in the global economy in detail;
3. analyse the role of international institutions in regulating international money and trade flows
4. distinguish between developed and lesser-developed economies and examine the relations between them. 

The first part of the assessment requires groups of (four) students to identify and explore an issue in the international economy. They will give a 25 minute presentation (40% of the marks) to explain and present their analysis and findings. This will test their ability to focus on and analyse an issue related to the global economy. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of a particular theoretical framework through which the critical examination of an issue can proceed. There will also be a problem-solving component to the work, designed to get students to work creatively.

The final assessment (60% of the marks) will be an examination that will require students to: demonstrate depth of subject knowledge and understanding; use cognitive skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application; be critically aware.

• Eichengreen, B. (2003): The International Financial Architecture
• Daniel, J. and VanHoose, D. (2011) Global Economic Issues and Policies, Routledge
• Thirlwell, A..  (2011). Economics of Development, palgrave MacMillan.
• Krugman, P. and Obstfeld, M. (2006), International Economics: Theory and Policy (7th edition), Pearson, Addison-Wesley.
• Reinert, K. (2011) An Introduction to International Economics: New Perspectives on the World Economy , Cambridge University press