EC532     
International Economics for Research Students

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Swati Dhingra 32L.2.31

Prof David Donaldson

Availability

This course is available on the MRes/PhD in Economics. This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

This course is concerned with the latest developments in international economics. The course builds on techniques introduced in MSc International Economics (EC421) to take students to the research frontier.  One term covers international trade and the other term covers international macroeconomics.

The course is based around research papers. Topics covered vary from year as the research frontier expands. A list of representative topics in international trade includes: micro-econometric studies of international trade, theories of heterogeneous firms and trade, theories of incomplete contracts and trade, and the political economy of trade policy. A list of representative topics in international macroeconomics includes international business cycles, determinants of international capital flows, portfolio choice and risk sharing, monetary and fiscal policy in open economies, theoretical and empirical work on the real exchange rate and international financial crises (e.g., currency attacks and sovereign defaults).

Teaching

30 hours of lectures in the MT. 30 hours of lectures in the LT.

This year, at least for Michaelmas term, some or all of the teaching for this course may have to be delivered through a combination of virtual webinars, online videos and virtual classes.

Indicative reading

Readings will be from journal articles; a list will be supplied at the start of term.

Assessment

Coursework (50%) in the MT.
Coursework (50%) in the LT.

Two take-home assignments, one in MT and one in LT.  Each assignment will carry equal weight.  Take-home assignments may require students to analyse data, empirically solve a computational exercise, solve theoretical models, or assess recent research.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2019/20: 6

Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

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.