The subject “World Economy” fulfils two main functions within the degree programmes in which it is included: firstly, it introduces some of the topics present in introductory texts to economics (trade, finance, growth and development, population, resources and the environment). This has a double purpose. On the one hand, it will provide students with the basic knowledge on these programmes; on the other hand, it establishes a basis for different fields of professional specialization (from the field of external trade and international negotiations to the world of international relations and the organizations involved) and of academic specialization (from the different branches of international economics to economics of development, economics of natural and environmental resources among other topics).

Secondly, by focusing on international issues (trade, mobility of factors, and finance) and on the global dimension of certain problems (development, population, resources and the environment), this subject is intended to reinforce the cosmopolitan background of the students, an element that is especially valuable in the framework of the globalization of the marketplace and the institutions related to global and international issues. In brief, the subject “World Economy” provides students with the basic education regarding business and economy and it is especially valuable in the current era of globalization.

“World Economy” is an introductory course and does not require students to have previous knowledge in the field.

The following table contains the learning goals, which are linked to the general and specific competences related to the material involved in this subject.

 Learning outcomes

To be able to understand the main issues of the world economic environment both individually and through debate in multiple working groups.

To be able to apply the concepts and basic methodology of economics in order to understand and analyse problems of the world economic environment.

To learn how to use the most suitable tools for the economic analysis to evaluate the existing interdependence relationships in the studied economic areas.

To improve the capacity to obtain and interpret the information and material necessary to understand the world economic environment, recognizing the different levels of validity of these sources.

To strengthen the ability to use computing tools which allow, individually and as a group, to gain a closer understanding of the world economic environment.

To strengthen the ability to use information technology as a means of communication in an international world economic environment.

To be able to discuss and debate in a multicultural working group the principal problems presented by the economic, being able to evaluate the technical quality of the different arguments employed.

To improve the capacity to transmit information and to give informed advice on issues relating to the world economic environment and to be able to synthesize and share, both with their colleagues and with the general public, the results of tasks for which they are, individually or as a group, responsible.

To accept the need to increase the autonomy in order to deal with problems of the world economic environment, and to be aware of the responsibilities (both individual and collective) with regard to the quality of one’s work. 

In a nutshell, the global objective of the subject “World Economy” is to give an introduction to the economic analysis and the data necessary to tackle issues related to a) trade and the mobility of factors, b) finance and c) global development. Specifically, the aim is to ensure that students are conscious that international and global issues are an inevitable component of the agenda of our times and that they are able to face them with the basic tools of Economics.

This general objective can be summarized in the following points:

• Knowledge acquisition regarding the basic world economic data and the main sources.
• Training of a solid analytical basis in order to address, at the introductory level, international, commercial and financial issues and the international mobility of economic factors. 
• Achievement of an understanding of the key growth factors and the economic dimension of the problems of underdevelopment, together with the most suitable strategies to solve these issues. 
• Achievement of an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of population and resources in development, and the ability to analyse them in an economic framework.
• Development of the basic knowledge necessary to cope with the subjects on this degree course related to international and global issues.

  5.1. Programme and basic bibliography

I.   International trade and mobility of economic factors

Topic   1.- Basic analysis of international trade

Topic   2.- Trade policies

Topic   3.- International mobility of economic factors

II.  International Finance

Topic   4.- Balance of payments and exchange rates

Topic   5.- International monetary relations

III. Global development

Topic   6.- Growth and development

Topic   7.- Population, resources and the environment

SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010): Economics, 19ª ed., McGraw Hill, International Edition.

KRUGMAN, P. R. and M. OBSTFELD (2006): International economics. Theory and policy, 7ª ed., Pearson (topic 6).

5.2. Detailed programme and objectives

Topic 1.- Basic analysis of international trade

Structure and teaching hours:

After a review of some basic concepts and of the sources of trade, there is an examination of classical analysis, introducing, by means of numerical examples, Adam Smith's absolute advantage and David Ricardo's comparative advantage. Later, the focus shifts to neoclassical analysis to show the effects of free trade both in terms of quantities and prices and of welfare (6 hours, 3 theoretical and 3 practical).

Objectives:

• Get to know the international flow of trade.
• Understand the following concepts:

Autarky and free trade

The open economy, imports and exports, GDP, GNP and national income

Inter- and intra-industry trade

The absolute advantage and the comparative advantage

The opportunity cost

Terms of trade

“Small country” and “large country”

“Consumer surplus” and “Producer surplus”

“The one euro-one vote yardstick”

“The production effect” and “the consumption effect” upon passing from autarky to free trade

• Skills development (analysis, synthesis, application):

Numerical analysis of the absolute advantage and the comparative advantage

Graphic analysis of the comparative advantage

Proposal of one voluntary continuous assessment activityies:

Reading material to be set (15 pages maximum) alongside the dates for corresponding tests.

Practical component:

Practical application: the effects of the free trade on the exporting country.

Basic bibliography:

SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010), pages 340-344 and 348-351.

Topic 2.- Trade policies

Structure and teaching hours:

In the previous topic, free trade was shown to have a generally favourable outcome but the fact is that countries do not always practice it and in many cases protectionism is preferred. In this topic, the different trade barriers (tariffs and non-tariff barriers) are introduced, their effects are analysed and the main arguments in favour of protectionism are examined alongside the institutional framework governing international trade relations (6 hours, 3 theoretical and 3 practical).

Objectives:

• Understand the following concepts:

Tariffs, specific tariffs and ad valoremtariffs

The “production effect” and “the “consumption effect” of tariffs

Non-tariff barriers

Quotas or quantitative restrictions on importation

Import licenses

Voluntary exports restraints (VERs)

The optimal tariff argument

The infant industry argument

Multilateralism (GATT- OMC) and regionalism (integration)

The most-favoured nation ( MFN) clause

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

The World Trade Organization (WTO)

 Multilateral Trade Negotiations (Kennedy, Tokyo, Uruguay, Doha Rounds)

The GATT, GATS y TRIPS agreements

• Knowledge of the main arguments related to protectionism.
• Understanding of international trade relations and their institutional framework.
• Skills development (analysis, synthesis, application):

The graphical analysis of tariffs

Practical component:

Exercises on economic activity measures.

Basic bibliography:

SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010), pages351-361.

Topic 3.- International mobility of economic factors

Structure and teaching hours:

Trade theory is based on the perfect mobility of goods and services (free trade) and on the immobility of economic factors but the fact is that it is impossible to understand the modern world without multinationals and migration, which are the key issues of this topic (6 hours, 3 theoretical and 3 practical).

Objectives:

• Get to know and understand the following concepts:

International movements of capital and inflows and outflows of capital

Direct foreign investments and portfolio investment

Multinational corporations, parent company and subsidiaries

Transfer price

Intra-firm trade

OLI (Ownership, Location, Internalization) paradigm

• Understand the scale and characteristics of migration and of direct foreign investment.
• Skills development (analysis, synthesis, application):

Graphic analysis of international labour mobility

Analysis of OLI paradigm

Practical component:

Application: the effects of international labour mobility.

Basic bibliography:

KRUGMAN, P. R. and M. OBSTFELD (2006), pages 159-166 and 168-173.

Topic 4.- Balance of payments and exchange rates

Structure and teaching hours:

The topic corresponding to international finance starts with a presentation of the balance of payments from an accounting perspective and an introduction of exchange rates. The curves of the supply and demand of foreign exchange are derived from the movements of goods and services in order to show the connection of this part with the previous topic, which is focused on trade issues. The topic concludes with an introduction to the long-term point of reference for exchange rates (the Purchasing Power Parity, PPP), which is also significant due to its use in international comparisons (6 hours, 3 theoretical and 3 practical).

Objectives:

• Get to know and understand the following concepts and terms:

Balance of payments

Flows versus stocks

Income and payments, credits and debits, assets and liabilities

Deficit, surplus

Balance of trade

Current account balance

Net foreign investment

Capital account

Financing capacity and necessity

Financial account

Reserve assets and variations in reserve assets

Balance of balance-of-payments accounts

Foreign currencies and foreign exchange market

Exchange rate

Appreciation and depreciation

Purchasing Power Parity and the Law of One Price

• Skills development (analysis, synthesis, application):

Balance of payments accounting

The derivation of foreign exchange market graphs from trade

Shifts in foreign exchange market graphs

Practice:

Balance of payment exercises

Basic bibliography:

SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010), pages 543-561

Topic 5.- International monetary relations

Structure and teaching hours:

As the most basic elements of exchange rates have been introduced in the previous topic, they must be applied to real cases. This is the aim of the present topic in which the different exchange rate systems are introduced and the three main systems used up to the present time are reviewed (6 hours, 3 theoretical and 3 practical).

Objectives:

• Get to know and understand of the following concepts :

The international monetary system

Fixed, adjustable peg and flexible (or floating) exchange rates

Revaluation-devaluation; appreciation-depreciation

The Gold Standard

Price specie- flow mechanism

Bretton-Woods System, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank

• Understand the evolution of international monetary relations and their institutional framework.
• Skills development (analysis, synthesis, application):

Analysis of the price specie-flow adjustment mechanism

Graphic analysis of foreign exchange market intervention

Practical component:

 Exchange rate exercises

Balance of payment and exchange rate exercises.

Basic Bibliography:

SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010), pages 557-561.

Topic 6.- Growth and development

Structure and teaching hours:

The possible solution to the problem of poverty and underdevelopment is tied up with the economic growth.  In this topic the concept of growth is introduced and the theories are reviewed from the basis of the neoclassical model. In this context, the problem of underdevelopment is introduced and the factors and strategies involved in development are examined, paying special attention to their international dimension (6 hours, 3 theoretical and 3 practical).

Objectives:

• Get to know and understand the following concepts:

Economic growth

Growth rates and the rule of 70

The neoclassical model of growth

Capital deepening

Technology

Productivity and the total factor productivity

The Growth-accounting approach

The Malthusian trap

Endogenous growth (new theories of growth)

Developed Countries and Developing Countries and Less Developed Countries

The vicious circles of poverty

The Human Development Index

Import substitution and export promotion

• Understand the problem of underdevelopment.

• Skills development (analysis, synthesis, application):

Graphic analysis of the neoclassical model of growth

Practical component:

Exercises on growth and development.

 Basic bibliography:

SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010), pages 501-510, 514-516 and 521-533.

Topic 7.- Population, resources and the environment

Structure and Teaching hours:

Population and resources are key issues in the general analysis of the global economy, as these factors may boost or limit the economic activity. The topic begins with an economic analysis of the population (the economic theory of fertility) and with an analysis of the appropriable natural resources. Following on from this, there is an attempt to tackle an economic analysis of pollution and its links with global environmental problems (6 hours, 3 theoretical, 3 practical).

Objectives:

• Get to know and understand the following concepts:

Demographic transition, birth rate, fertility and mortality

Renewable vs. non-renewable resources

Appropriable vs. inappropriable resources

The Kuznets curve and the environmental Kuznets curve

Limits to growth and sustainable development

Externalities

Global public goods

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the "Earth Summit")

The hole in the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol

Climate change, the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

• Skills development (analysis, synthesis, application):

Microeconomic theory of fertility

Graphic analysis of the problem of contamination

Practical component:

Analysis of the sources and data related to population and resources.

Basic bibliography:

SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010), pages 268-280.

In-class teaching is based on theoretical and practical lectures and is complemented by continuous assessment activities (linked to follow-up questions, lectures and activities) and by tutorials.

Theoretical classeswill consist of lectures (an explanation of the content of each lesson by the lecturer).

Practical classes in the widest sense (including group tutorials) will be focused on the achievement of two objectives: on the one hand, the consolidation of the knowledge and skills acquired in the theoretical lectures by means of their application to new cases, and, on the other hand, the development of the capacity for analysis and synthesis of the information related to the content of the subject.

As regards non-group tutorials, preference will be given to those requested in advance. For this reason, and in the interest of guaranteeing this service to students and of making the best use of their time, these tutorials should be reserved in advance (at the beginning or end of classes, by e-mail...)

Exceptionally, online academic activities might be included if health conditions require such activities. If this is the case, students will be properly informed.

The following tables show the distribution by time and topic of contact and non-contact activities.                                                        

 The evaluation of the subject is based on the written examination, to be held on the day fixed by the school and on continuous assessment activities (the activities, the reading material and the follow-up questions which take place along the term). The students can not retake the continuous assessment activities in the ordinary or extraordinary exam.

In the case of demonstrable proof of incompatible behaviour with academic honesty rules, none of the marks obtained by any of the people involved will be taken into account for any of the affected course components (both continuous assessment activities and the examination).

The activities (two minimum) will deal with applications of topics tought in the class (for example, looking for data on the characteristics of a country). Activities will be anounced in advance in the Campus Virtual. The activities will count for a maximum of 1,5 points.

The Reading Material (set in the first class) will be given a maximum evaluation of 1 point.  On the date established in the first class, the summaries must be handed in to the teacher. In this class, and prior to the handing in of the summaries, there will be checks relating to the contents of the reading material, which will consist of answering a series of questions with the summaries of the reading material.

The follow-up questions (a minimum of two), considered together, constitute a maximum of 1.5 points and may be asked in at any moment in classes.

The examination will include questions on a) concepts, b) graphic analysis, c) exercises, and d) applications.  In all examination periods, the final mark will be made up of the sum of the points obtained in that examination period (which will carry a maximum of six points) and in the continuous assessment activities (with a maximum possible mark equivalent to four points; the mark obtained during the course being carried over in the case of the supplementary exam sessions). It is important to take into account that the subject cannot be passed without a minimum of 2.5 points in the exam.

Exceptionally, online academic assessment tasks or exams might be included if health conditions require such activities. If this is the case, students will be properly informed

 Summary table

                 As it has been already detailed in this guide, the basic manuals are the following: 

 SAMUELSON, P. A. and W. D. NORDHAUS (2010): Economics, 19ª ed., McGraw Hill, International edition.

KRUGMAN, P. R. and M. OBSTFELD (2006): International economics. Theory and policy, 7ª ed., Pearson (topic 6).

Regarding complementary material, every lecturer will comment on the most relevant sources (further reading, diagrams, notes...) to enable students to follow the course properly, alongside the specific rules governing the progress of the subject.