Course detail

International Economics

FP-iePAcad. year: 2025/2026

This course aims to provide an up-to-date and understandable analytical unified framework for understanding traditional insights as well as the newest findings and approaches in international economics. In analysing both the real and monetary sides of the subject, the approach will help the student to gain and retain the underlying logic of international economics.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Knowledge in macroeconomics and microeconomics.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Students attending the lectures will be evaluated on the basis of an individual combined exam and a group assignment based on the relevant literature. The course is classified according to the ECTS: Final exam - 70% of final grade (the comprehensive combined exam covering the entire module), assignment - 30% of final grade.
The overall assessment of the assignment includes: the quality of the project (content, analysis, and use of sources), the standard of the presentation (structure, argumentation, and visual design), and the student’s level of participation in discussions and teamwork.

Aims

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of selected models of international trade and trade policy; explain the theoretical foundations and key mechanisms underlying these models; apply international trade models to analyse contemporary economic developments; critically assess the implications of trade policies within the context of government economic policy; interpret economic data and empirical evidence relevant to international trade issues.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Griffin, W. R., Pustay, M. W. (2015). International Business. Pearson. ISBN 978-1-292-01821-8. (EN)
Mankiw, N. G. (2015). Principles of Macroeconomics. Cengage Learning, ISBN 978-1-285-16591-2. (EN)
Krugman, P., Obstfeld, M., & Melitz, M. (2017). International Economics: Theory and Policy, the latest edition. (EN)

Recommended reading

Chinn, M. D., & Irwin, D. A. (2025). International economics. Cambridge University Press.  (EN)

Elearning

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MGR-EBF Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
  • Programme MGR-IBM Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
  • Programme MGR-UFRP Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme MGR-Z Master's

    branch MGR-Z , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Who trades with whom? The Gravity Model

International Trade Theories – Classical Country-Based Trade Theories and Modern Firm-Based Theories.

International Trade Theories - External Economies of Scale and The International Location of Production. 

The Instruments of Trade Policy: Tariffs, Quotas and Subsidies. Other Instruments of Trade Policy.

The Political Economy of Trade Policy: Arguments for Free Trade. Arguments for Restricting Trade.

International Economic Integration: Trade Politics, Trade Agreements, and Trade Law.

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

The seminars are conducted in the form of:

- group-based projects,

- continuous project preparation throughout the semester,

- student presentations and guided discussions,

- feedback provided by both the instructor and fellow students.

Students work in groups. Each group selects one topic from the list of assigned topics (or proposes its own topic subject to the instructor’s approval). The project includes: problem definition, a theoretical framework, an empirical component and/or case study, interpretation of results, and conclusions.

Elearning