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67431-01 - Lecture: International Money and Finance (6 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Andreas Müller (andi.mueller@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The course builds on the macroeconomics and quantitative methods taught in the first and second year of the Bachelor program. It focuses on international macroeconomics and finance, which we discuss both at an intuitive and technically advanced level (for instance, by solving a simple dynamic decision problem of households and firms in a two-period economy). First, we study and document empirically the global imbalances in the trade balance and current account across countries and time. Second, we develop a simple two-period model of an open economy that we will use throughout the course. Third, we will use our basic theoretical framework, with the appropriate variations, to address all of the central topics in the field, including the determinants of the current account in open economies; processes of adjustment to temporary, permanent, and unanticipated shocks; the determinants of the real exchange rate; the role of capital controls in the presence of financial frictions; the role of fixed and flexible exchange rates in models with nominal rigidities; and the interaction between monetary and fiscal policy. Throughout the course, the predictions of the theoretical models are confronted with data. These tests are used to highlight the power of a particular theory in providing insight into a particular real-world problem, but also to mark its limits and to motivate critical thinking. |
| Learning objectives | The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the tools of international macroeconomics and finance and to apply these tools in macro-policy issues using the same basic analytical approach as is employed in the research literature. Upon successful completion of the course students will have acquired an appreciation of the role of international currency markets in the determination of economic outcomes. Specifically, they will be familiar with a theoretical framework through which they can interpret movements in the exchange rate and its relationship to other key macroeconomic variables. Students will also be familiar with the effects of monetary and fiscal policy in an international setting. They will be able to critically assess the appropriateness of a particular policy in response to important events within the international monetary system. |
| Bibliography | Main textbook: • Schmitt-Grohe, S., M. Uribe and M. Woodford (2022): International Macroeconomics, Princeton University Press. Additional Reading: • Krugman, P., M. Obstfeld and M. Melitz (2022): International Economics: Theory and Policy, Global Edition, Twelfth edition, Pearson. • Obstfeld, M. and K. Rogoff (1996): Foundations of International Macroeconomics, MIT Press. |
| Comments | The course consists of one 2-hour lecture (Mondays) and one 2-hour tutorial (Tuesdays) every week---with the following exceptions: • First week of teaching: Mon, 16 Feb 2026: no lecture (Student Welcome); Tue, 17 Feb 2026: lecture instead of tutorial. • Basler Fasnacht: Mon, 23 Feb 2026: no lecture; Tue, 24 Feb 2026: no tutorial; • Easter: Mon, 6 Apr 2026: no lecture; Tue, 7 Apr 2026: lecture instead of tutorial. • Pentecost: Mon, 25 May 2026: no lecture; Tue, 26 May 2026: Review session instead of tutorial. |
| Admission requirements | No special requirements. |
| 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 | Monday | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 16.02.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 17.02.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 23.02.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Tuesday 24.02.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Monday 02.03.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 03.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 09.03.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 10.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 16.03.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 17.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 23.03.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 24.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 30.03.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 31.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 06.04.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Ostern |
| Tuesday 07.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 13.04.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 14.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 20.04.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 21.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 27.04.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 28.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 04.05.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 05.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 11.05.2026 | 08.30-09.45 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 12.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 18.05.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Biozentrum, Hörsaal U1.101 |
| Tuesday 19.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Monday 25.05.2026 | 08.30-10.00 | Pfingstmontag |
| Tuesday 26.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Modules |
Modul: Aufbau Economics (Bachelor's Studies: Business and Economics) Modul: Wahlbereich in Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Bachelor's degree subject: Business and Economics) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Written examination: Date 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 |