International Economics (2019/2020)

Learning outcomes

The course aims at giving students knowledge of causes and effects of international trade, of trade policies and of the role of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the regulation of world trade. Thanks to participation in classroom seminars and workgroups students shall improve their communication skills and upon completion of the course students shall be able to understand the dynamics of international trade and use both economic theory and the main international databases in order to evaluate the impact of international trade flows on countries specialisation in production and domestic welfare. Thanks to participation in classroom seminars and workgroups students shall improve their communication skills and upon completion of the course students shall be able to understand the dynamics of international trade and use the main international databases in order to evaluate the impact of international trade flows on countries specialisation in production and domestic welfare.

Comparative advantages and the Ricardian theory of international trade;
The Heckscher-Ohlina theory of international trade;
Limits of neo-classical theory of international trade;
The Leontieff Paradox and empirical tests of the Heckscher-Ohlin theory;
Technical change and international trade: the neo-technological approach;
Imperfect competition and intra-industry trade;
International trade, tariffs and protectionism;
The role of WTO in the world economy.

Textbook: Appleyard and Field, International Economics, McGraw Hill, 9° edition, 2017 (chapters from 1 to 11 and 13,14,15 only)
Additional material is available on the e-learning site of the course.

CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY: during the sanitary emergency the exam shall be oral on the Zoom platform