Fall 2025 - ECON 446 D100
Seminar in International Finance (3)
Class Number: 1074
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Minjie Deng
minjied@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
ECON 201, ECON 305 and ECON 345, all with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Focus will vary from term to term.
COURSE DETAILS:
Description: This course explores major topics in international finance, including capital flows, current account dynamics, exchange rate determination, and the impact of global financial conditions on open economies. The course combines theoretical models with empirical analysis to examine how economies interact through trade and finance, and how policy choices influence macroeconomic outcomes. Students will learn to analyze and interpret key models and data in international finance, critically evaluate arguments, develop evidence-based conclusions or recommendations for current policy debates, and communicate ideas clearly and effectively through both oral presentation and writing.
Topics:
Current account, terms of trade, tariffs, interest rates, international transmission of shocks, real exchange rates, law of one price, purchasing power parity, international capital market integration, asset pricing, carry trade, forward premium puzzle, capital controls, etc.
Grading
- Participation and quizzes 10%
- Midterm Exam (short) 25%
- Final Exam (short) 25%
- Writing assignment (includes proposal, oral presentation, and written policy brief) 40%
Materials
RECOMMENDED READING:
“International Macroeconomics: A Modern Approach”, 2022
By Stephanie Schmitt-Grohé, Martín Uribe, and Michael Woodford
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
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 during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period 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
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.