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International Economics

Code: 102143 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Accounting and Finances OB 1
Business and Information Technology OB 1

Contact

Name:
Rosella Nicolini
Email:
rosella.nicolini@uab.cat

Teachers

Jaime Eduardo Amoroso Miranda
Nuria Tobella Esteve
Albert Gragera Llado
Adrián Moreno Maria

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

Students are expected to have completed Principles of Economics and World Economic History. They should be familiar with basic economic concepts and have a general understanding of the current international political and economic situation.


Objectives and Contextualisation

The purpose of this course is to equip students with the most appropriate concepts and tools to:

  1. Understand and analyze the current international economic situation;

  2. Identify the problems and challenges faced by governments, institutions, and firms in carrying out their activities at the international level;

  3. Apply the most relevant theoretical frameworks to understand current trade patterns and trade policies;

  4. Gain a basic understanding of the international monetary system.

This course will help students to grasp the complexity of the dynamics of international relations and understand the potential economic implications of actions taken by firms and governments in an increasingly globalized world.


Learning Outcomes

  1. CM15 (Competence) Evaluate the current functioning and cooperation of the Spanish and international economy.
  2. CM16 (Competence) Analyse the impact of the institutional framework of the labour market and the latest labour reforms in Spain on personnel management in companies.
  3. CM26 (Competence) Analyse the action of the public sector, its sources of finance, and the different economic policies implemented in different fields.
  4. CM27 (Competence) Analyse the impact of the institutional framework of the labour market and the last labour reforms in Spain in the management of staff in companies.
  5. CM28 (Competence) Assess the current functioning and situation of the Spanish and international economy.
  6. KM17 (Knowledge) Determine the causes of international factor movements.
  7. KM18 (Knowledge) Describe the patterns of economic development over the last two decades, its institutional framework and the evolution of its markets, both at Spanish and international level.
  8. KM20 (Knowledge) Determine the causes of international factor movements.
  9. KM21 (Knowledge) Describe the evolution of international trade institutions.
  10. KM22 (Knowledge) Describe the patterns of economic development in the past two decades, its institutional framework and the evolution of its markets, both in Spain and internationally.
  11. KM23 (Knowledge) Describe the functioning of financial markets and intermediaries.
  12. SM11 (Skill) Develop quantitative indicators on the competitiveness of countries, degree of international integration, economic growth, economic development, market structure and dominant positions.
  13. SM12 (Skill) Apply economic analysis to integration processes in general and to European integration processes in particular.
  14. SM25 (Skill) Assess the economic integration processes related to both international trade and financial relations.
  15. SM26 (Skill) Prepare quantitative indicators about the competitiveness of countries, degree of international integration, economic growth, economic development, market structure and dominant positions.
  16. SM27 (Skill) Apply the economic analysis to integration processes in general, and to European integration in particular.

Content

The programme of the course is built around three big blocs of topics:

 

1. Tools and evidence of the current international trade flows:

- The balance of payments,

- The international trade flow and its indicators.

 

2. Trade

- Classical trade theories, 

- New trade theories,

- Principal trade policies: their implementation and economic effects. The role of international institutions (WTO),

- Mobility of factors: the challenges of globalization (migration, FDI, value chains).

 

3. International Monetary relations

- The exchange rates: types and regimes,

- Basic concepts of market of currencies,

- The international system of payments and the role of IMF.

 


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures 32.5 1.3 CM15, CM28, KM17, KM18, KM20, KM21, KM22, KM23, SM11, SM12, SM25, SM26, SM27, CM15
Tutorial 17 0.68 CM15, CM16, CM26, CM27, CM28, KM17, KM18, SM11, SM12, SM26, SM27, CM15
Type: Supervised      
Supervision and follow-up of the activities proposed in the tutorials 10 0.4 CM16, CM26, CM27, SM12, SM25, SM27, CM16
Type: Autonomous      
Individual training (analysis of the material discussed in the lectures) 67 2.68 CM15, CM16, KM17, KM18, KM20, KM21, KM22, SM11, SM12, SM25, SM26, SM27, CM15
Practical activities: data search and analysis 20 0.8 CM16, CM26, CM27, CM28, KM18, SM11, SM12, SM26, SM27, CM16

Lectures (in class activities; 33 hours): in these sessions the teacher will introduce the students to the basic knowledge of each of the topics of the subject.

Tutorial (in class activities; 17 hours): this is a set of activities carried out jointly by the students and the teacher to deepen ideas and concepts introduced in class. At least a session will be held in computer classes.

Supervised activities: the students are expected to fulfill a few learning tasks (data search, for instance) individually or in group (according to the instructions provided by the lecturer) in order to be able to perform autonomous activities or participate to the tutorial activities in class.

Autonomous activities: the students will assimilate (individually) the topics discussed in class with the support of the tutoring of the teacher.

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Final exam 50% 2 0.08 CM16, CM26, CM27, CM28, KM17, KM18, KM20, KM21, KM22, KM23, SM12, SM25, SM27
Midterm exam 30% 1.5 0.06 CM15, KM21, KM22, SM11, SM12, SM26
Writing reports, solving exercises, analysis of data 20% 0 0 CM28, KM18, KM20, KM21, KM22, KM23, SM11, SM12, SM25, SM26, SM27

This course does not offer the option for comprehensive evaluation

The evaluation process will be performed according to the results of the continuous assessment only

Continuous assessment:

Continuous assessment consisting of a:

- a midterm exam covering the topics included in the block 1 (Tools and evidence of the current international trade flows) and the first item of block 2 (Trade: Classical trade theories)  (30% of final grade) 

- a final exam covering the rest of the topics of bloc 2 (Trade) and bloc 3 (International Monetary Relations)(50% of the final grade),

- Assignments to be solved (individually or in group), analysis of data, reports or other exercises in class  (20% of the final grade).

 

The final grade will be the results of the weighted average of the three previous assessment activites. 

In order to pass the course a student needs to fulfill the two following conditions:

1) The student's final grade has to be at least 5; 

2) The grade of the final exam has to be at least 3.5.

 

If the student fails to fulfill one of the two previous conditions but the final grade is at least 3.5 and the student participated to -at least- 2/3 of the evaluation activities, the student is eligible for the retake exam; otherwise the student will not pass the course.

If the student passes the course it cannot be subject to further evaluation.

If the student final grade is less than 3.5 (irrispective of the result of the final exam), the student will have to repeat the course the following year.

Students whose final grade is equal to or greater than 3.5 but less than 5 and the final exam have been evaluated with at least 3.5 are eligible for the retake exam.

The retake exam will cover all thetopics discussed in class.

A student who does not perform any evaluative task is considered“not evaluable”, therefore, a student who performs a continuous assessment component can no longer be qualified with a "not evaluable"

 

Calendar of evaluation activities

The dates of the evaluation activities (midterm exams,exercises in the classroom, assignments, ...) will be announced well in advance during the semester.

The date of the final exam is scheduled in the assessment calendar of the Faculty.

"The dates of evaluation activities cannot be modified, unless there is an exceptional and duly justified reason why an evaluation activity cannot be carried out. In this case, the degree coordinator will contact both the teaching staff and the affected student, and a new date will be scheduled within the same academic period to make up for the missed evaluation activity." Section 1 of Article 264. Calendar of evaluation activities (Academic Regulations UAB). 

Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, who in accordance with the previous paragraph need to change an evaluation activity date must process the request by filling out an Application for exams' reschedule: e-Formulari per a la reprogramació de proves.

Grade revision process

After all grading activities have ended, students will be informed of the date and way in which the course grades will be published. Students will be also be informed of the procedure, place, date and time of grade revision following University regulations.

Retake Process

"To be eligible to participate in the retake process, it is required for students to have been previously been evaluated for at least two thirds of the total evaluation activities of the subject." Section 2 ofArticle 261. The recovery (UAB Academic Regulations). Additionally, it is required that the student to have achieved an average grade of the subject greater than or equal to 3.5 and less than 4,8.

The date of the retake exam will be posted in the calendar of evaluation activities of the Faculty. Students who take this exam and pass, will get a grade of 5 for the subject. If the student does not pass the retake, the grade will remain unchanged, and hence, student will fail the course.

Irregularities in evaluation activities

In spite of other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with current academic regulations, "in the case that the student makes any irregularity that could lead to a significant variation in the grade of an evaluation activity, it will be graded with a 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that can be instructed. In case of various irregularities occur in the evaluation of the same subject, the final grade of this subject will be 0". Section 11 of Article 266. Results of the evaluation. (UAB Academic Regulations).

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as search for references or other information, text correction, or translations. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. If the student fails to disclose the use of AI in any of the acitivity subject to evaluation will be considered a lack of academic integrity with a partial or total penalization for the grade of the activity.

 


Bibliography

Basic references: 

Feenstra, R. and Taylor. A. (2014): "International Trade", McGraw-Hill (paperbook available at the UAB Library)

Feenstra, R. y Taylor. A. (2015): "Comercio Internacional", Editorial Reverté (available online via the UAB Library)

Feenstra, R. and Taylor. A. (2017): "International Macroeconomics", McGraw-Hill (paperbook available at the UAB Library)

Feenstra, R. y Taylor. A. (2012): "Macroeconomía internacional", Editorial Reverté (available online via the UAB Library)

 

Krugman, P., Obsfeld, M. and Melitz M. (2022): " International Economics: theory and policy", 12th Edition,Pearson Global Edition (available online via the UAB Library)

Krugman, P., Obsfeld, M. y Melitz M. (2016): " Economía Internacional: teoría y política", 10ª edición, Pearson  (available online via the UAB Library)


Pugel, Th. (2023): "International Economics", McGraw-Hill, 18th Edition (available online vía the UAB Library)

Pugel, Th. (2004): "Economía Internacional", McGraw-Hill (paperbook available at the UAB Library) 

 

Other References:

Beugelsdijk, S., Brackman, S., Garretsen, H., Van Marrewijk, Ch. and Murtunu, S. (2024): "International Economics and Business. Nations and Firms in the Global Economy", Cambridge University Press (paperbook available at the UAB Library) 

Tugores-Ques, J. (2006): "Economía Internacional", 6ª edición, McGraw-Hill (paperbook available at the UAB Library) 

 

WEBs: IMF (www.imf.org), World Bank (www.worldbank.org),  Euro (euro.eu.int ), WTO (www.wto.org), Financial Times (www.ft.com), The Economist (www.economist.com), ECB (www.ecb.int), OCDE ( www.oecd.org), UNCTAD (www.unctad.org), CEPAL (www.cepal.org).

 

Other references will be suggested in class or in Moodle.

 

 


Software

The basic knowledge of MS Excel is requested


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 101 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 201 Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 301 English second semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 501 Spanish second semester afternoon
(TE) Theory 10 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 20 Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 30 English second semester afternoon
(TE) Theory 50 Spanish second semester afternoon