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351-0550-00L 3 Credits DS , MSC D-GESS , D-MTEC , D-MATH

International Economics

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Christa Brunnschweiler
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:38

Abstract

Microeconomic principles; General equilibrium in closed and open economies; Traditional trade theory; Importance of increasing returns to scale; Imperfect competition; Public policies; Empirical content of trade theory

Objective

Microeconomic Principles are taught; Discussion of traditional and new trade theory; Discussion of the role of technological progress; Discussion of importance of public policies

Content

Globalization is one of the major development trends in the world economy today. To understand the causes and consequences of globalization, we need a basic knowledge of international trade theory. This course aims at getting familiar with the theory of international trade. At first, traditional approaches (the Ricardo model and the Heckscher-Ohlin model) are discussed. More recent approaches (keywords are "imperfect competition" and "increasing returns to scale") are also considered, and we highlight the role of technological progress as well as the importance of public policy. In addition, we discuss some of the latest research on the effects of trade and globalization on the environment and on inequality.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes will be provided successively in the course of the semester.

Literature

- Markusen, J.R., J.R. Melvin, W.H. Kaempfer and K.E. Maskus, International Trade: Theory and Evidence, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1995. - Krugman, P.R. and M. Obstfeld, International Economics: Theory and Policy, Pearson, Boston, 2006. - Krugman, P. R., Rethinking International Trade, MIT Press, Cambridge (Massachusetts), 1994. (optional only) - Baldwin, R. and C. Wyplosz, The Economics of European Integration, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006, 2nd ed. (optional only).

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DS , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 90 minutes
Aids
Nicht programmierbarer Taschenrechner (non-programmable calculator) Language dictionary

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture International Economics
Lehrsprache: Englisch gegebenenfalls Deutsch.
  • Wed 15:15-17:00 (HG D 1.1)
2 h weekly

Offered In