Course detail

International Economics

FP-iePAcad. year: 2026/2027

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.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Marek Zinecker, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Economics (ÚE)

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)

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

prof. Ing. Marek Zinecker, Ph.D.

Syllabus

International Trade Theories – Classical Country-Based Trade Theories and Modern Firm-Based Theories. International Investment Theories.
Determinants of International Trade: The Winners and Losers from Trade, the Effects of a Tariff and a Quota. Benefits of International Trade. Arguments for Restricting International Trade.
International Flows of Goods and Capital. National Income Accounting and the Balance of Payments.
Prices for International Transactions: Real and Nominal Exchange Rates. Theory of Exchange-Rate Determination based on Purchasing-Power Parity.
Supply and Demand for Loanable Funds and for Foreign-Currency Exchange.
Equilibrium in the Open Economy: Money, Interest Rates, and Exchange Rates.
Structure of the Foreign Exchange-Market.
Optimum Currency Areas and the European Experience
Formulation of National Trade Policies.
How Policies and Events Affect an Open Economy.
International Cooperation Among Nations – Theory of Economic Integration.

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Marek Zinecker, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Determinants of International Trade: The Winners and Losers from Trade, the Effects of a Tariff and a Quota. Benefits of International Trade. Arguments for National Income Accounting and the Balance of Payments.
Real and Nominal Exchange Rates.
Supply and Demand for Loanable Funds and for Foreign-Currency Exchange.
Equilibrium in the Open Economy: Money, Interest Rates, and Exchange Rates.
Optimum Currency Areas and the European Experience