International Economics

Econ 136 (Section 1) – Summer 2010

San Jose State University

CL 302 – MTWR 8:00 – 10:15

 

Professor: Dr. Colleen Haight

Office: DMH 219

Phone: 408-924-5422 office; 650-580-1998 cell

E-mail: colleen.haight@sjsu.edu (best way to reach me)

Office hours: MTW 10:30-11:30 Please make an appointment

Web site: www.chaight.com

 

Course Description and Objectives:

In an increasingly interdependent global economy, citizens can no longer afford to consider local economic issues in isolation. The primary purpose of this course is to acquaint you with the fundamentals of international economics. We will start by considering international trade theory and policies, including a discussion of trade barriers, arguments for and against protectionism, and international trade agreements. Later in the course we will explore international finance, including balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, international financial markets and international monetary systems.

 

Textbooks:

Additional reading material will either be distributed in class or made available for download from my web site.

 

Requirements and Grading Policy:

Students' grades for the course will be determined by scores on two mid-term examinations, a final examination, and a series of quizzes. Exams and quizzes will cover both reading assignments and additional material covered in class. Final grades will be determined as follows:

 

Average Quiz Score:      15%

Mid-term Exams:          25% (each)

Final Exam:                           35%

 

Because class participation helps enliven the course, it is greatly appreciated. Class participation will be considered in the final grade in borderline situations. Class attendance is not mandatory and will not directly affect a student's grade. However, students will be held responsible for all information presented in class, as well as the information in the readings, presentations and quizzes. In many cases, the lectures will cover material different from the reading, using the reading more as a point of reference from which to depart. Students who miss lectures should bear this in mind.

 

NO MAKE-UPS:  Students often overcome tremendous obstacles to complete the assignments listed above.  They may, for example, hire an expensive baby-sitter, antagonize their boss (or worse yet, their spouse), miss out on a potentially great date, or hijack a car to get to an exam or turn in their work.  I am not in a position to weigh one personÕs obstacles relative to others.  Therefore, there are no make-up assignments, quizzes or exams. 

 

Academic Integrity:

Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at

San Josˇ State University and the UniversityÕs Academic Integrity

Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work.

Faculty are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs.
The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

 

SJSU Events and Resources:

 

The Barstool Economists:

All econ majors are automatically members of the Barstool Economists group they just need to subscribe (it's free!).  The listserve provides announcements, reminders, updates, and economic conversation. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thebarstooleconomists/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Outline:

 

Week

Date

Discussion Topic

Corresponding Reading

Notes

 

1

7-Jun

Overview and Introduction / Trade

SS1-2

 

 

8-Jun

Factor Endowments

SS4

 

 

9-Jun

Intra-Industry Trade

SS5

Last Day to Drop – Jun 10

2

14-Jun

Int'l Factor Movements

SS6

Last Day to Add – Jun 15

 

15-Jun

Midterm Exam

 

 

 

16-Jun

Tariffs

SS7

 

 

17-Jun

Non-Tariff Barriers

SS8

 

3

21-Jun

Nat'l Income Accounting

SS12

 

 

22-Jun

Int'l Financial Markets

SS13

 

 

23-Jun

Foreign Exchange Markets

SS14

 

 

24-Jun

Money

SS15

 

4

28-Jun

Midterm Exam

 

 

 

29-Jun

Exchange Rates

SS16

 

 

30-Jun

Int'l Trade Policy

SS9

 

 

1-Jul

Trade Agreements

SS10

 

5

5-Jun

No Class

Independence Day Holiday

 

 

6-Jun

Monetary Unions

SS19

 

 

7-Jun

IntÕl Monetary Policy

SS20

 

 

8-Jun

Final Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This schedule is merely a tentative plan and may be changed as the course progresses.