International Economics

The course is offered at the first-cycle level and is part of the third semester of the Bachelor’s Programme in Business and Economics. It is not available as a freestanding course. The course is open to incoming exchange students.

Department of Economics

The course introduces fundamental concepts in international economics, with a particular focus on international trade and exchange rates.

The first part addresses international trade and covers key theoretical models used to explain trade patterns, as well as the gains and losses that trade may entail for different groups within a country. To provide a theoretical foundation, the course also includes an introduction to general equilibrium theory. The European internal market is examined, with an emphasis on the free movement of goods.

The second part of the course focuses on exchange rates and their relationship to macroeconomic policy. It begins with an overview of foreign exchange markets, followed by a review of established models of exchange rate determination and national income accounting in an open economy. Empirical examples from Sweden and international contexts are presented and linked to the theoretical models.

After passing the course, students shall be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental theories of international trade,

2. apply normative criteria (e.g., Pareto efficiency and the compensation principle) to evaluate international trade outcomes,

3. demonstrate knowledge of key EU regulations governing the internal market,

4. describe the main concepts related to the balance of payments and foreign exchange rates,

5. analyse how exchange rates are determined.

Lectures and exercises.

Language of instruction: English

All objectives are assessed via a written examination.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

For a passing course grade, a passed written examination is required.

Upon completion, the course will be subject to a course evaluation in accordance with the procedures established for the Bachelor's Programme in Business and Economics. The results of the evaluation, along with any resulting changes to the course, will be communicated to both the students who participated in the evaluation and those enrolled in the subsequent offering of the course.