First Semester 2007 EC 382 International Economics Course Contract Professor Class Hours and Locations Dr Jacqueline Khorassani Tuesdays 14 00 14 50 in AC202 Wednesdays 11 00 11 50 in Tyndall Theatre Wednesdays 15 00 15 50 in AC201 Office Location 310 St Anthony s Office Hours Mondays 14 00 15 00 Tuesdays Thursdays 12 00 13 00 Wednesdays 13 00 14 00 by appointment Voice 091 493105 office E mail khorassj marietta edu or jacqueline khorassani nuigalway ie Web Page http www marietta edu khorassj Blackboard http blackboard nuigalway ie More on this later Course Description This course promotes an understanding of the economic causes and consequences of international exchange You may think But we have already discussed supply and demand and trading in a variety of markets What is so special about international trade How is an international transaction different from a transaction within a nation Well in many ways an international trade is no different from an exchange within a nation After all individuals and firms have the same set of motives and behavior regardless of whom they buy from and whom they sell to Yet international exchange raises new and different concerns The reason is that it occurs between independent nations The auto shipments from the USA to Ireland may be disrupted if the Ireland s government imposes a new quota against American cars Also a sharp depreciation in the US dollar against the euro will suddenly make American cars cheaper to Irish consumers Neither of the above events can happen within a given country Upon the completion of this course you should be able to analyze the Course Objectives Means of Communication Texts Online Study Guide reasons for international trade gains from trade the pattern of trade effects of free trade versus protectionism exchange rates and their impacts on international trade linkage between international trade and domestic economy international trade and monetary policies Our main means of communication is the classroom The students are expected to attend classes on a regular basis In addition I may also communicate new information to you via my web page and or blackboard Similarly please feel free to visit me in my office call me or e mail me to discuss your concerns and questions I have also made it possible for you to send me your comments anonymously via my web page International Economics by Sawyer and Sprinkle Prentice Hall 2006 Financial Times Available at http www prenhall com sawyer Includes a sample of multiple choice and essay question on each chapter of the textbook It is a great way to prepare for exams My Teaching Philosophy I believe that straight lecturing is not the most effective way to teach economics I also believe that you are capable of studying and understanding most of the material covered in the book on your own if you give it your best shot Thus I am not going to stand here and repeat the chapters of your textbook everyday In other words I am not going to be a transmitter of knowledge Rather I view myself as designer Further I view students as knowledge constructors rather than sponges My task therefore is 1 to design a map that will lead you toward the construction of your knowledge 2 to help you figure out how to ask the right questions when you feel lost 3 to ask you questions in an attempt to find out if you are on the right track 4 and to give clear and meaningful answers to your questions I realize that you are different form each other You have different backgrounds skills and learning styles That is why I use a variety of strategies and media in this class I plan to give each of you as much support and guidance as possible Your task is 1 to study the map 2 to follow the map 3 to ask questions when you feel lost I always prefer an stupid question to no question as the alternative is remaining stupid 4 and to respond to my questions Be prepared to be wrong sometime Being wrong is okay as making mistakes is an inevitable part of learning Our joint task is to build a learning environment in which we feel free and comfortable to express our thoughts to respectfully disagree with each other at times and to learn from each other Tentative Course Outline We will cover the following 12 chapters of the textbook Chapters 1 through 8 Chapters 11 13 14 and 15 Grading The following table shows the weight of different assignments in your final grade Exam 1 20 Exam 2 60 Just In Time Assignments 20 Examinations You will be given two exams according to the following schedule Exam 1 Wednesday October 10 15 00 16 00 Exam 2 Will be determined by the University later Exam 2 is comprehensive That is it covers everything Exams may consist of multiple choice questions analytical questions and graphical or numerical problems Just In Time Assignments Twenty percent of your course grade depends on various assignments The nature and the length of these assignments will be discussed as the semester progresses Weekly Study Guides In the beginning of each week look for a study guide for that week on my website Study Guides come in the form of PowerPoint Slides and they are designed to guide you in your studying and keep you on track They may also contain assignments that you must complete and turn in on their due dates So make sure that you carefully read these study guides on Monday of each week Classroom PowerPoint Slides At the end of each week look for classroom PowerPoint slides on my website