Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - ECON 342 D100

International Trade (3)

Class Number: 2773

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 13, 2021
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 103 or 200 and 105 or 205, all with a minimum grade of C-; 60 units or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics discussed in this course are: gains from trade in a classical world; the modern theory of international trade; factor price equalization; empirical tests and extensions of the pure theory model; economic growth and international trade; the nature and effects of protection; motives and welfare effects of factor movements; multinational enterprises; the brain drain; customs union theory; pollution control and international trade. Students with credit for ECON 442 cannot take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course develops approaches to international trade including theories based on technology, factor endowments, and scale economies.  It will also look at trade policy and the political economy that leads to the development and use of instruments such as tariffs and quotas and other forms of regulation.  Trade issues in the context of economic development will be the focus in the latter part of the course.

Delivery: The mode of delivery is a combination of pre-recorded lectures and a live lecture which will be delivered during scheduled hours. Tutorial schedule is TBA.

Course schedule:

Week 1:

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Chapter 2 – World Trade: Overview

Week 2:

Chapter 3 – Labour Productivity and Comparative Advantage: The Ricardian Model

Week 3:

Chapter 4 – Specific Factors and Income Distribution

Week 4:

Chapter 5 – Resources and Trade: The Heckscher-Ohlin Model

Week 5:

Midterm 1 Exam

Coverage: Chapters 1,2,3,4,5

Week 6:

Chapter 6 – The Standard Trade Model

Week 7:

Chapter 7 – External Economies of Scale and the International Location of Production

 

 

Week 8:

Chapter 8 – Firms in the Global Economy: Export Decisions, Outsourcing, and Multinational Enterprises

Week 9:

Midterm 2 Exam

Coverage: Chapters 6,7,8

Week 10

Chapter 9 – The Instruments of Trade Policy

Week 11

Chapter 10 – The Political Economy of Trade Policy

Week 12

Chapter 11 – Trade Policy in Developing Countries

 

Week 13

Chapter 12 – Controversies in Trade Policy

 

Final Exam

Coverage: Chapters 9,10,11,12

Grading

  • Weekly quizzes 25%
  • Two midterms (25 % each) 50%
  • Final exam 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The textbook for this course is a custom Pearson version of Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz, International Trade (2017):

Pearson eText International Economics: Theory and Policy -- Access Card, 11th Edition.

Format: Access Code Card

ISBN-13: 9780136850137

(please note MyEconLab will NOT be required to complete coursework)


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released later in the semester. This will allow students to avoid enrollment conflicts, and will significantly reduce instances of exam hardship. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the final exam period (August 10th -20th) until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).