Seminar on International trade policy

Academic year: 2006-2007 Course code module MMIBD-520 Semester: 2nd semester Credits: 6 Study load (hours) 168 Theory (hours): Practice/Exercises(hours): 45,00 Other (hours): Part-time program: Instructor(s) Dirk De Bièvre Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: semester exam in June Contract restriction information: exam and credit contract not possible 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties You keep yourselves informed about current international economic affairs and you are interested in assessing conflicting explanations of evolving events. You are able to apply abstract generalising statements to concrete cases. *Sequentiality 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) You will be able to assess competing explanations for several central questions in international political economy. You will be able to assess the utitlity of the assumptions underlying these explanations. You will be able to assess whether the empirical evidence brought forward does in fact support the postulated explanation. 3. Course content This is a reading course. We will be reading two texts dealing with the same question in a different manner and sometimes with contradictory answers. Special attention will go to the internal logic of the argument as well as the relevance of the empirical evidence. Some of the questions covered will include: Why do political actors liberalise external trade policy? Why is trade policy delegated to agents in the executive to such a large extent? Why do some interest groups have more influence on trade policy than others? 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Seminars (possible question and answer sessions) Skills training Personal work: Assignments - individual Assignments - in group 5. Assessment method Continuous assessment: Assignments Written assignment: With oral presentation Discussionbased exam Presentation 6. Compulsory reading – study material The texts will be made available via Blackboard. 7. Recommended reading - study material Regular reading of the Financial Times and/or The Economist. 8. Tutoring Blackboard discussion forum Email After the course on Thursdays (11.30) Appointment laatste aanpassing: last update: 23/10/2006 16:11 dirk.debievre