ECON 310
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
WINTER 2008

Instructor: Dr. Bob Carbaugh
Office: Shaw-Smyser 428
Telephone: 963-3443 (Home: 962-5871)
Email: carbaugh@cwu.edu 

Web Page: www.cwu.edu/~carbaugh/
Office Hours: 8:30-9:30, 11:00-11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objective of this course is to develop the student's analytical skills and reasoning abilities by applying his/her knowledge of microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory to the study of international economics. The course emphasizes trading relationships and financial relationships among nations.

COURSE OUTCOMES

The International Economics course will encourage student development of:

• Critical thinking skills
• Use of quantitative analysis, mathematical reasoning, and graphical analysis
• Application of economic theory to contemporary policy issues

READINGS

• Robert Carbaugh, International Economics, 11^th Edition, 2007, (South Western College Publishing).
• James Hanson, Study Guide for International Economics, 11^th Edition, 2007, (South Western College Publishing).
• The Wall Street Journal

COURSE GRADE COMPONENTS

• Three midterm exams................................... 300 points
• Three quizzes................................................ 100 points
• Optional final exam………………………..  200 points

*The comprehensive final exam will be the “makeup” exam for this course.  If you miss a quiz or a midterm exam, you can take the final exam as a makeup, and your score will be pro-rated to the missed quiz or midterm exam. The makeup applies to only one missed quiz or exam.

** The final exam will be given on Friday, March 14 at 8:00AM.

Approximate Grade Scale:

A  92%       B+ 86%       B-  80           C   72%           D+     64%      D- 56%

A- 90%       B   82%       C+ 76%        C- 68%            D       60%

 COURSE OUTLINE

                                                                  Textbook               Study Guide          

Topic                                                          Chapter                    Chapter

The International Economy                                                  1                                     1
Foundations of Modern Trade Theory                                 2                                     2
Sources of Comparative Advantage                                    3                                     3
Tariffs                                                                                 4                                     4

Exam #1

Nontariff Trade Barriers                                                      5                                     5
Trade Regulations and Industrial Policies                             6                                     6           

Trade Policies for Developing Countries                              7                                     7
Regional Trading Arrangements                                           8                                     8
International Factor Movements                                          9                                     9

Exam #2

The Balance of Payments                                                    10                                   10
Foreign Exchange                                                               11                                   11

Exchange-Rate Determination                                             12                                   12
Exchange-Rate Adjustments and the BOP                           14                                   14
Exchange Rate Systems and Currency Crisis                       15                                   15

Exam #3

*Some topics may be eliminated or condensed, as time permits

STUDY MATERIALS

Several items will assist you in studying for quizzes and exams in this course. I strongly recommend that you obtain a copy of the Study Guide for International Economics, 11th edition, by Jim Hanson. For those who are unable to purchase a copy of the study guide, I have placed two copies on reserve at the CWU Brooks Library.

At the end of each chapter in your International Economics text, you will find study questions. Be sure to complete all of these questions and review them prior to exams. My Web Page also contains sample multiple-choice questions for this course.

            Furthermore, online tutorials are available that cover the most difficult graphical concepts in this course. They walk students through selected graphing exercises that correspond to exercises found within the book. Students who have purchased a new copy of the text have access to these tutorials, while students with a used book can purchase access to these tutorials.  The online tutorials can be found at http://carbaughxtra.swcollege.com/.