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EXC 3603 International Economics

EXC 3603 International Economics

Course code: 
EXC 3603
Department: 
Economics
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Per Botolf Maurseth
Course name in Norwegian: 
International Economics
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
BBA - Specialisation in International Business
Semester: 
2025 Spring
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

The course gives the students an introduction to international economics. Among the topics are gains from and problems with international trade and economic globalization. The course gives an overview of main theories of international trade and international investments. The course also covers trade policy.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

The course introduces the students to the main concepts of international economics. Among the topics covered are the gains and problems of globalization, theories of comparative advantages, international trade and increasing returns, international factor movements and trade policy. The course introduces the students to economic theories in international economics as well as empirical regularities. It also places an emphasis on international trade policy issues. Do tariffs support or retard economic development? Do export subsidies harm other countries? Who gains and who loses from economic integration? Relationships between poor and rich countries are also discussed.

During the course students will:

  • Achieve an understanding of sources of comparative advantages and of increasing returns as a reason for international trade.
  • Acquire knowledge of effects of international trade for the exporting and the importing countries and for the internal income distributions in the integrating countries.
  • Acquire knowledge about international capital movements and labour migration and their relationships with international trade.
Learning outcomes - Skills

After completing the course students will:

  • Be able to handle analytically the main theories in international trade.
  • Be able to discuss and analyse main topics and issues in the debates on globalization.
  • Have skills to understand gains and losses from international integration and how these influence the internal income distributions in the trading countries.
  • Be able to follow public debates on globalisation, international trade and economic integration.
  • Be able to analyse opportunities as well as challenges for firms operating in international markets.
General Competence
  • Students will gain insights into main dilemmas about trade policies, and will be able to reflect on why international trade is both a source of welfare and of conflict. This special field gives rich opportunities for reflecting on the debates related to the importance of international trade and economic integration.
  • Students be able to reflect on the role of international trade and multinational firms in national and global markets.
Course content
  • Trade with goods and services
  • International trade theory
  • Imperfect competition and economies of scale
  • Income effects related to trade
  • International factor movements
  • Trade policy
Teaching and learning activities

Internet-based assignments and cases may be used.

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Disclaimer

Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.

Required prerequisite knowledge

EXC 2910 Mathematics or equivalent.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
School Exam
Form of assessment: 
Written School Exam - pen and paper
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
100
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Exam code: 
EXC36031
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
36 Hour(s)
Feedback activities and counselling
7 Hour(s)
Review of assignments in plenary
Group work / Assignments
8 Hour(s)
Work on mandatory exercises (approx. 1,5 hour per exercise).
Student's own work with learning resources
146 Hour(s)
Examination
3 Hour(s)
Sum workload: 
200

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.