Course overview
How has globalization changed Australia and other economies across the globe? Why have flows of goods and services, foreign direct investment and migration increased so tremendously in recent times? And how should we evaluate these phenomena? Who wins and who loses from globalization? What does it imply for workers, consumers, and firms? And how does government policy influence it? The course will expose students to workhorse models of international trade theory. A specific focus will be put on using simple economic models to analyse policy-relevant questions. As this is an introductory undergraduate course in international trade, no previous knowledge of international economics is assumed.
Course learning outcomes
- Explain the concept of comparative advantage.
- Describe the essentials of trade theories.
- Identify potential winners and losers from trade.
- Explain comparative static results in several workhorse models of international trade.