California State University, Los Angeles
Center for Newly Independent States Studies (CNISS)
offers a Distance Learning course
ECONOMICS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
By Dr. Ashish Vaidya
1 9 9 7
Course ID: EIT
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
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This is a course in the Economics of International Trade. In this course we will be concerned with what determines trade between countries, how countries benefit foam trade, and what shapes trade policy in our changing global economy. It is designed for those interested in understanding international trade patterns and formulating trade policy.
It is also appropriate for those wishing to understand the domestic and global effects of changes in real economic variables on commodity trade, and the welfare impact of various trade instruments, such as tariffs, quotas, and other protective measures.
OBJECTIVE OF
COURSE
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International economic issues have taken center stage in the news in recent years. Issues such as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), the recent GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) negotiations, episodes of trade conflict, and the growth of MNCs (Multinational Corporations), have dominated the news. We will explore some of these issues during this course. In particular we study the reason trade takes place, the implications for commodity and factor prices of changes in real variables, the benefits and patterns of trade, and the effects of trade restrictions on the welfare of the economy.
INSTRUCTOR
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The instructor for this course is Dr. Ashish Vaidya. Dr. Vaidya is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and Statistics at California State University, Los Angeles. He joined the Department in 1991 after completing his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at Davis. His fields of specialization are International Trade and Development Economics. He has taught courses in Microeconomics, Business Statistics, International Trade, and Economic Development. He has published research articles in the areas of Strategic Trade Policy, Optimal Trade Policy, and Agricultural Policy, in leading journals, such as Journal of Economic Integration, International Trade Journal, Applied Economics Letters, and Economia
Internazionale. His current area of research is in designing trade liberalization policies for
developing countries.
COURSE ORGANIZATION
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Major topics are INTERNATIONAL TRADE THEORY and TRADE POLICY
INTERNATIONAL TRADE THEORY
WEEK ONE
Chapter 1: The Ricardian Model
WEEKS TWO AND THREE
Chapter 2: The HeckscherOhlin Model
Assignment 1 will be given at the end of week 2 and will be due by the
end of week 3. The problems will be based on the 2 models learnt in
Chapters 1 and 2.
Chapter 3: Economic Growth and Terms of Trade
WEEK FOUR
Chapter 4: The Specific Factors Model
There will be a midterm examination at the end of week four. The midterm will cover material from Chapters 1 through 4.
WEEK FIVE
Chapter 5: Imperfect Competition and International Trade
TRADE POLICY
WEEKS SIX AND SEVEN
Chapter 6: The Instruments of Trade Policy
Assignment 2 will be given at the end of week 5 and will be due at the end of week 6. Midterm 2 will be given at the end of week 7. The second midterm will cover material from Chapters 5 and 6
WEEK EIGHT
Chapter 7: Trade Policy in the Presence of Imperfect Competition
WEEK NINE
Chapter 8: Political Economy of Trade Policy
WEEK TEN
Chapter 9: Economic Integration
There will be a final at the end of week 10. The final will cover materials from Chapters 6 through 9.
GRADING
There will be 2 midterm examinations in addition to the final. Your grade in the class will be a weighted average of the grades received on assignments, midterms, and the final. The weights are:
COURSE ADMINISTRATION
The course involves six major activities: registration, an initial class meeting, course
study segments, obtaining and responding to examination questions, an interactive
questions/answers, and obtaining a grade and a certificate of completion.
Details on each will be supplied with the registration verification.
Registration
Announcements and registration forms can be obtained from participating universities/organizations. Completed registration forms with payment will be returned to the designated course coordinator at the participating university/organization.
Confirmation of registration with appropriate course material will then be given to the student.
Initial Class Meeting
Course participants will meet as a group with the course coordinator at each participating
university/organization. During the meeting, the Internet material will be
distributed and demonstrated; and selfstudy, testing, and grading approaches will be explained.
SelfStudy Sessions
Each of the chapters will be studied and any questions will be sent to the course instructor.
Examination Questions
A course coordinator will request examination questions via e-mail.
Students will answer questions and return them for grading to the instructor.
The student grades and any instructor comments will be returned to the course
coordinator or to a student.
Question/Answer Methodology
Students are encouraged to submit comments and questions to the course instructor.
Grades and Certificates of Completion
Course grades and certificates of completion will be forwarded to the course coordinator
who will distribute them to the students.
To apply, please send your e-mail to: cniss@calstatela.edu
COURSES
COURSES