For all course queries email ECO3024F@uct.ac.za School of Economics ECO3024F Section Outline 2024 International Finance THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT THAT SHOULD BE CAREFULLY READ AND CONSULTED REGULARLY DURING THE SEMESTER. You must abide by the departmental rules and procedures included herein. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES, AT ALL TIMES. Section description ECO3024F is an introduction to the fundamental principles and methods in international economics. The goal is to develop an advanced understanding of key features of the international economy. To do so we will adopt a holistic approach, first starting with observation of key stylized facts. The course will then go on to construct several analytical models that help us to understand the complex global economy we live in. International economics is distinguished from other branches of economics primarily by the nature of the policy environment. Standard economic analysis examines consumers and firms operating within the same commercial and legal framework. By contrast, transactions across borders involve different commercial policies. Transactions may involve different currencies, different rates of taxation, different safety and product standards, and various restrictions. As a result national borders, national currency, and national governments all affect international economic activity and influence market outcomes worldwide. “Most of the people in the world are poor, so if we knew the economics of being poor, we would know much of the economics that really matters.” Theodore Schultz, 1980. “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1937. International economics can be split into two components, the first is international trade which addresses theoretical approaches to international trade in goods and services, and the second is international finance/macro which addresses financial flows, exchange rates, and macroeconomic policy in an open economy. In this section we will study international financial relations and international macroeconomics. Prescribed Texts Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz, International Economics: Theory and Policy,9th , 10th or 11th Edition, Pearson, Harlow, Essex, England. Additional readings and assignments will be posted on Vula. Prerequisites ECO2003F and ECO2004S For all course queries email ECO3024F@uct.ac.za For all course queries email ECO3024F@uct.ac.za Lectures The primary method of delivering content is through in-person lectures. Lectures will be held at least 3 times per week, according to the course schedule. Check the course schedule regularly to keep updated. Day: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (unless told otherwise) Time: 4pm Venue: Kramer LT 2 Whiteboard workshops We will be hosting whiteboard workshops throughout the course as an opportunity for students to actively engage with course content at a very high level. See main curse outline for details. Class Essay The class essay is an important part of the learning process for this course. The essay counts 12% towards the final grade for this course. The topic will be made available within the first two weeks of the course. More details will be provided in the next two weeks. Term test There is one class test covering the International Finance content. This test will be written on 19 March. More details to follow closer to the test date. Tutorials See main course outline for more detail. Course Assessment The course assessment is broken down in the following way: Individual Date Weighting Test 1 14% 19 March Test 2 14% 9 May Class Essay 12% Tutorial submissions 5% Whiteboard workshops 5% Final Exam 50% TBA The coursework component counts 50% towards the final grade. The exam counts 50%. IMPORTANT: Please check other course test dates/times and report clashes immediately. Assessment Course Schedule (International Finance) Date Week 1 Reading Staff 12 – 16 Feb 19 – 23 Feb 26 – 1 March 4 – 8 March 11 – 15 March 18 – 22 March Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Leigh Neethling Leigh Neethling Leigh Neethling Leigh Neethling Leigh Neethling Leigh Neethling Contact details Dr Leigh Neethling Lecturer (International Finance) Rm 5.07 TBA leigh.neethling@uct.ac.za ** If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us, we are here to assist you. Make sure that you contact the correct person and please DO NOT EMAIL the entire team. For all course queries email ECO3024F@uct.ac.za
