International Economics * ECON 4300

 

Spring 2006 * 2pm MWF

 

Henry Thompson

x2910  thomph1@auburn.edu

Office Hours 259 COB 3-4 MW, 302 Comer 2-3 TR

 

Text: International Economics by Henry Thompson

 

This course on international economics covers topics in trade, finance, and open economy macroeconomics.  It stresses applying economic theory to policy issues.

 

Week                             Chapter               Topic

Jan    9                 1                           International markets

16               10                        Balance of payments

23               11                        Foreign exchange

30               12                        International financial markets

Feb   6                 13                        Open economy macroeconomics

13               Review & Exam 1

20               2                           Constant cost trade

27               3                           Gains from trade

Mar   6                 4                           Protectionism

13               5                           Terms from trade

20               Review & Exam 2

Apr   3                 6                           Production and trade

10               7                           Trade and industrial organization

17               8                           International labor and capital

24               9                           International integration

May  1                 Review

May  3 at 8am     Final exam

 

Grades      Paper          Classroom           Exam 1      Exam 2      Final          

5%             10%                     20%           30%           35%

 

Grades are on a 10 points scale: A = excellent, B = good, C = fair, D = poor, F = fail

 

Comprehensive exams include short answer, graphs, and simple algebra (no calculators). 

 

The paper is a 2 page analysis of a news story using economic theory.  Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-font, emailed Word file due 1 May.  Email drafts for comments anytime. 

 

The classroom grade is based on working assigned exercises at the board and quizzes on Fridays as well as classroom discussion.    

 

We will communicate regularly by email about specific reading assignments, homework, and so on. 

 

Read the text and work assigned exercises for the Friday labs.  Good advice is to work all exercises and hints for even-numbered exercises are in the back of the text.  Practice drawing the graphs presented in class.  Read the examples in the text that illustrate the theory and can help on exams.  Tutoring is available from graduate students.  Check sources linked to www.auburn.edu/~thomph1.