6 ECTS credits
153 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4018135FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Applied economics
Educational team
Eva Van Belle (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
22 contact hours Lecture
131 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the workings of international economics in the practice of everyday business, policy and politics through the guided study of a current topic in international economics. In particular, we are going to focus on the big question why some countries are rich and others are poor. The classes will consist of a mixture of standard lectures on the economic theory, participative debates, and student presentations of recent scientific publications.

The course will deal with the question why some countries are rich and others are poor, what consequences these disparities have for key markets and the world equilibrium, and which policy interventions are effective to address these disparities. In doing so, we will approach the question of economic development both from a macro- and microeconomic perspective and we will look both at historical explanations and at future policy responses.
Moreover, we will engage in a number of burning debate topics, including whether or not colonialism is to blame for underdevelopment in parts of the world; whether capitalism leads to more or less poverty; whether inequality is an inevitable byproduct of development; and whether we should aim for degrowth in order to safe the planet from climate change.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Scientific articles and policy papers
Practical course material (Required) : Lecture notes
Additional info

The reader of this course will be published on Canvas. A full schedule is provided on this website too. This course builds on material used in an undergraduate micro- and macroeconomics course, financial economics and the Master course in International trade.

Teaching Methods

  • Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
  • Exercises or Practicals: collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
  • Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

Lecture: 22 hours

Self: 131 hours

 

  • keeping up with the course material during the semester, amounting to 1 hour per hour lecture: 22 hours
  • reading exercises, amounting to 1 hour per week: 13 hours (13 x 1 hour)
  • preparing exercise, amounting to 32 hours (4 days of 8 hours)
  • preparation exam: 64 hours
    • search material: 24 hours (3 days of 8 hours)
    • write draft: 40 hours (5 days of 8 hours)

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

General Competences

By the end of this course, students should develop the skills to

  • consult, understand and frame independently articles and policy papers;
  • understand how economic and political constraints force a trade-off in the choice of possible actions that may be followed;
  • interact in class, with lecturers and policy speakers;
  • be able to report on policy issues;
  • write an analytical report, using standard software and with a high standard of writing and reporting, respecting also academic standards;
  • summarize and present research to peers in understandable language;
  • engage in an informed debate on current topics in economics.

Specific Competences

Students are expected to

  • understand the role of economic policies on firms, households and government;
  • understand the role of political constraints on economic and political actions;
  • understand the main theories underlying monetary, fiscal and mircoeconomic policies;
  • understand the role of economic integration in international relations.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 75% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 25% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 75 which comprises 75% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Presentation with a relative weight of 25 which comprises 25% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade is based on a presentation during the lectures that determines 25% of the final mark, and a take-home exam that determines 75% of the final mark. The final exam will be assessed on its originality, contribution to the area, and the depth of study of the chosen topic.

For the retake exam, students can only retake the written exam (accounting for 75% of the grade); they keep the grade for the oral presentation earned previously.

Participation in debates is obligatory as it is an essential part of the learning objectives of this course.

Deadlines for presentations and exams are communicated at the start of the course, and in the course syllabus.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of International Business: Standaard traject