COURSE SYLLABUS: International Economics (P: if Economics major, only to be taken by
students in the policy concentration)
V31.0238 Prerequisites: V31.0001 and V31.0002 (Economic Principles I & II). 4 points.
Spring 2010, TR, 12:30PM – 1:45PM
Instructor: Tai Young-Taft
Instructor Office: 19 W. 4th St., 6FL, Office 603.
Instructor Office Hours: By appointment.
Instructor’s E-mail: jyt215@nyu.edu
Teaching Assistant and Contact Information: Imelda Maryland Flores Vazquez, ifv201@nyu.edu
Course Descriptions: Focuses on international trade in goods, services, and capital. It serves as
an introduction to international economic issues and as preparation for the department’s more
advanced course in V31.0324 (Topics in the Global Economy). The issues discussed include
gains from trade and their distribution; analysis of protectionism; strategic trade barriers; the trade
deficit; exchange rate determination; and government intervention in foreign exchange markets.
Required Work: Constructive participation, defined at the discretion of the instructor, but to
include on time and consistent attendance, thoughtful completion of all assigned reading, and
active respectful and considerate speech during the class, daily/semi-daily quizzes, weekly
homework assignments, a midterm exam, and a final exam.
Grading: Final exam 40%, midterm exam 25%, homework 20%, constructive participation 5%,
daily/semi-daily quizzes 10%.
Required Texts:
Krugman, Paul, and Obstfeld, Maurice. 2008. International Economics: Theory and Policy.
Addison Welsey
Chang, Ha-Joon. 2002. Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical
Perspective. London: Anthem Press
Stiglitz, Joseph. 2002 (or 2003). Globalization and Its Discontents. New York: W.W. Norton &
Company
Shaikh, Anwar. 2003. “Globalization and the Myth of Free Trade,” to be found at
http://homepage.newschool.edu/~AShaikh/ .
Course Assignments: (Subject to revision.)
Tues. Jan. 19th
Thurs. Jan. 21st Krugman and Obstfeld Preface, Introduction, Ch. 2 first part
Tues. Jan. 26th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 2 cont., Ch. 3
Thurs. Jan. 28th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 3 finish, Shaikh
Tues. Feb. 2nd Shaikh cont., Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 4
Thurs. Feb. 4th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 4 cont., Chang Ch. 1-2
Tues. Feb. 9th Chang Ch. 2 cont.-4
Thurs. Feb. 11th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 5
Tues. Feb. 16th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 5
Thurs. Feb. 18th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 6
Tues. Feb. 23rd Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 6
Thurs. Feb. 25th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 7
Tues. Mar. 2nd Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 7
Thurs. Mar. 4th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 12
Tues. Mar. 9th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 12
Thurs. Mar. 11th MIDTERM EXAM
Tues. Mar. 16th – SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Thurs. Mar. 18th – SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Tues. Mar. 23rd Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 13
Thurs. Mar. 25th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 13
Tues. Mar. 30th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 14
Thurs. Apr. 1st Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 14
Tues. Apr. 6th Stiglitz Preface-Ch. 3
Thurs. Apr. 8th Stiglitz Ch. 3 cont.-5
Tues. Apr. 13th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 15
Thurs. Apr. 15th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 15
Tues. Apr. 20th Stiglitz Ch. 5 cont.-9
Thurs. Apr. 22nd Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 16
Tues. Apr. 27th Krugman and Obstfeld Ch. 17
Thurs. Apr. 29th – LAST DAY OF CLASS
FINAL EXAME TIME AND DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED