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10625-01 - Lecture: Advanced International Trade and Business (6 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Rolf Weder (rolf.weder@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Content: This course deals with the effects that arise from the globalization of markets. We derive challenges for economic policy and strategic management of international firms. International trade theory offers an excellent framework in this respect. We deal with questions such as: "Who gains and who loses from selective integration of markets?", "Which impacts arise from technological changes abroad and at home?", "Why do multinational firms exist and what strategies do or should they follow in different circumstances?", "How can we explain outsourcing and offshoring, what are the effects, how can international firms react?", and "How is international trade affecting the environment (pollution, renewable resources) – what should be done?”. The course not only provides answers to these questions, but also introduces the concepts which current research in international trade is based on and constantly is using. We present and discuss the fundamental contributions of the traditional and new trade theory, also referring to current research in the field; research has always been very dynamic in this field - theoretically and empirically. This requires that textbooks, papers in scientific journals as well as working papers on the graduate level are used in the course. I also plan to integrate own research into the course. Instead of postponing economic policy and strategic management questions to the end of the course, I plan to discuss these questions at the end of each week in connection with the theme we developed. One guest lecture is planned. |
| Learning objectives | Learning objectives: 1. to know the scientific discussion in international trade and international business regarding "Globalization" and "Outsourcing", 2. to understand the major contributions of the classical, neoclassical and new trade theories, and how these insights are used in the current literature, 3. to get an understanding, how trade economists simplify international relationships in order to analyze and answer the questions posed above, 4. to gain insight into the current research in international trade and business, 5. to get to know and be able to apply concepts which allow international companies and international organizations to develop strategies which are important in practice. |
| Bibliography | The relevant literature will be mentioned on the outline of the course. We will start with the foundation of international trade theory by David Ricardo's "On Foreign Trade" published in 1817 (of which we will read the original text), but also integrate most recent contributions from textbooks and articles published in international journals of economics and business. Papers will, whenever possible, be posted on ADAM in order that registered students in the course can easily download them from ADAM. |
| Comments | I intend to use enough time for discussions on company strategies and economic policy. Also, we devote time for issues on international trade and the environment, related to my own recent research in this field. There is a guest lecture planned followed by a discussion towards the end of the course. I also plan to give you the possibility to select a paper or a chapter to be summarized and briefly presented in mini conference towards the end of the class. Details will be made available at the beginning of the term. Note that this course is a good complement to the following courses: A) International Trade, Resources and the Environment, offered by Prof. Scott Taylor (University of Calgary) in May 2025. B) Competitive Strategy, offered by Prof. Jeffrey Macher (Georgetown University) in July 2025. |
| Weblink | Weblink |
| Admission requirements | Prerequisites: I expect that students have accomplished at least a Principle of Economics course. In addition, it will be helpful if courses in Microeconomics on the BA level and a course or some material in International Trade or International Business on the BA level have been taken. The most important ingredient to the successful completion of the course is, however, the interest of students in topics of globalization and internationalization of firms and their willingness to read and regularly participate in class. |
| Course application | Registration: Please enroll in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch); Eucor-Students and mobility students of other Swiss Universities or the FHNW first have to register at the University of Basel BEFORE the start of the course and receive their login data by post (e-mail address of the University of Basel). Processing time up to a week! Detailed information can be found here: https://www.unibas.ch/de/Studium/Mobilitaet.html After successful registration you can enroll for the course in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch). Applies to everyone: Enrolment = Registration for the course and the exam! |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 08.15-10.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Seminarraum S15 HG.31 |
| wöchentlich | Friday | 14.15-16.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
Dates
| Modules |
Module: Business Field: Strategy and Organization (Master's Studies: Business and Technology) Module: Core Competences in Economics (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Core Courses in Business and Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Core Courses in International Business, Trade and the Environment (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Economic Approaches (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Module: Field Electives in Economics and Public Policy (Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy) Module: Specific Electives in Business and Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Specific Electives in International Business, Trade and the Environment (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Specialization Module Global Europe: Globalized Trade and Business (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Specialization Module Global Europe: Regional Integration and Global Flows (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Specialization Module: Areas of Specialization in International and/or Monetary Economics (Master's Studies: International and Monetary Economics) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | How to attain the learning objectives: Students should read the required reading in advance of each session. Some of this reading is very short. The required reading is reduced to a minimum. I will often go beyond this material and integrate further aspects into the lecture from the additional reading or the list of bibliography found at the end of the outline. I mention this list also as an aid for further reading and for writing a term paper for the Seminar in International Economics or the Master's Thesis. Problems or questions will be solved by the students and/or discussed in class. There will be a written final exam. I will give students the opportunity to earn additional grades for active participation in form of handing in short essays or assignments as well as short presentations during the term. These will will have an announced weight in the final grade. Detailed information will be given at the beginning of the course as well as in the outline that should be available two weeks before the semester. Written Exam: Date and Room tbd |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Business and Economics |