CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR UNDERGRADUATES
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND MIGRATION
Key Information
Module code
Taught during
Module workload
Module leader
Department
Credit
Level
Pre-requisites
Assessment
ISSU1010
Block One: Monday 4 July - Friday 22 July 2016
45 teaching hours plus approximately 100 study hours
Dr Parama Chaudhury
Economics, Faculty of Social & Historical Sciences
0.5 UCL credits, 7.5 ECTS, 4 US
Level 1, first year Undergraduate
Standard entry requirements
Regular (short) quizzes (10%)
10-minute multi-media presentation (25%)
2000-word essay (65%)
Module Overview
This module introduces students to the economics of globalization. We will look at reasons why classical
economists thought that comparative advantage (or differences between countries) was the basis for
international trade, while in the past few decades the bulk of international trade has been between very similar
countries. We will also study the effects of the growing importance of international trade, focusing in particular
on recent trade agreements and their projected consequences. The second part of this module will consider
one of the hottest topics in any country – immigration. We will study the causes and effects of migration, and
use data and policy analysis to investigate the immigration regimes of some popular migrant destinations.
Week One: Empirical Trends and the Economic Theory of International Trade
• Empirical trends in globalization and immigration
• The economic theory behind why countries trade
• Do countries benefit from more openness? Do individuals benefit?
Week Two: International Trade and Inequality
• Empirical trends in global inequality
• Theoretical analysis of the relationship between international trade and inequality
• Testing the theories
Week Three: Migration and Labour Markets
• Empirical trends in Migration
• How do economists analyse migration?
• Analysis of migration policies and welfare
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
1
Module Aims
This module aims to introduce students to the study of international trade and migration using the tools of an
economist. We will analyse current events and controversies such as the new TTIP agreement and the everpresent problem of immigration. The main objective here is to equip students with the ability to analyse these
issues in a formal way and thereby, to have an informed opinion on them.
Teaching Methods
The bulk of the content will be delivered using interactive lectures (including the use of web-based audience
response systems). In addition, there will be field-related excursions, and tutorials where students will solve
problems and engage in reflective writing. Reading lists will be available online via the UCL library site.
Students will be directed towards class materials, further support and discussion forums on Moodle.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students will:





Understand the reasons why countries trade and be able to analyse the effects of a particular trading
agreement
Be able to use economic analysis to address one of the most controversial topics in today’s world,
immigration
Be proficient in the access and use of real-world data to answer questions on globalization
Have an understanding of how simple intuitive concepts can be used to analyse complicated
economic issues
Feel confident in using and producing multimedia resources for economic analysis
Assessment Methods



Regular (short) quizzes (10%)
10-minute multi-media presentation (25%)
2000-word essay (65%)
Key Texts
Overview: The Economy, Unit 12 http://www.core-econ.org/ebook/ (this is a free e-book, but you need to
register)
Main textbooks
 Suranovic, International Trade Theory and Policy http://internationalecon.com/Trade/T-toc.php (this
is a free online PDF)
 Krugman, Obstfeld, and Melitz, International Economics, 10th Edition, Pearson (KOM). There is no need
to buy this book. I have asked for a couple of copies to be kept on short loan in the library.
International Trade
 (Background) Suranovic chapters on introductory issues and trade history
 Deardorff, Alan V. and Robert M. Stern, “What You Should Know about Globalization and the World
Trade Organization”, Review of International Economics, August 2002
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
2



Krugman Paul (1994), "Competitiveness: A Dangerous Obsession" in Foreign Affairs, vol. 13, No 2
(available from http://www.pkarchive.org/global/pop.html).
Krugman,
Paul
(1996),
“Ricardo’s
difficult
idea”,
(available
from
http://web.mit.edu/krugman/www/ricardo.htm).
Bhagwati, Jagdish, Arvind Panagariya and T. N. Srinivasan, “The Muddles over Outsourcing” , The
Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 18, No. 4 (Autumn, 2004), pp. 93-114
Immigration
 George Borjas, Labour Economics, Chapter on Immigration
 David Card, “The Impact of the Mariel Boatlift on the Miami Labor Market,” Industrial and Labor
Relations Review (January 1990): 245 - 257
 George J. Borjas, “The Economic Benefits from Immigration”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 9,
no.2, June 2001, pp.3-22
 Yann Algan, Christian Dustmann, Albrecht Glitz, Alan Manning, “The Economic Situation of First and
Second-Generation Immigrants in France, Germany and the United Kingdom”, The Economic Journal
Volume 120, Issue 542, pages F4–F30, February 2010.
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
3