MG4B9      Half Unit
The World Trading System

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Veronica Rappoport NAB 5.29

Availability

This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MiM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MBA Exchange, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in Economics and Management, MSc in Management and Strategy and MSc in Risk and Finance. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Pre-requisites

Basic Knowledge of Mathematics and Economics

Course content

The course studies a key component of the "globalization" process: the negotiation, implementation and implications of international trade agreements (ITAs). These include the World Trade Organisation and the fast-growing web of regional trade agreements. We analyse the challenges and opportunities faced by companies engaged in the global economy in this context. The course relies on recent theoretical and empirical research to gain insight into the motivations for ITAs and their consequences for consumers and firms. Globalisation - trends in the international economy and overview of their causes and effects. The sources of international trade. Trade barriers - restrictions to international trade and their consequences. The economics and politics of international trade agreements. The rules, accomplishments and shortcomings of the GATT/WTO system. Regional trade agreements - motivation, implications, and recent trends. The costs and benefits from exporting for individual firms. Challenges and opportunities for national and multinational firms in the global economy.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

In-class exercises.

Indicative reading

  • Robert Feenstra and Alan Taylor, International Economics, Worth Publishers, 2008.
  • Kyle Bagwell and Robert W. Staiger, "The Economics of the World Trading System," MIT Press, 2004.
  • The World Trade Organisation, "The WTO and preferential trade agreements: From co-existence to coherence," World Trade Report, 2011.
  • Bernard M. Hoekman, Aaditya Mattoo, Philip English (editors), "Development, Trade, and the WTO: A Handbook," World Bank, 2002.
  • Andrew Bernard, J. Bradford Jensen, Stephen Redding and Peter Schott, Firms in International Trade, Journal of Economic Perspectives 21(3), 105-130, 2007.

Assessment

Class participation (10%), group assignment (40%) and in-class assessment (50%) in the MT.

The assessment consists of Group assignments (40%), class participation (10%) and an in-class exam during the last week of the term (50%).

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2019/20: 19

Average class size 2019/20: 11

Controlled access 2019/20: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information