Applied Studies (Business and Administrative Studies) or Social Science. ECON 475 can be used to fulfill the Applied Studies (Business and Administrative Studies) area of study by credential students only.
Students registering in grouped study mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Centre at 1-800-468-6531.
Overview
International Trade (ECON 475) is a three-credit, senior-level course in economics at Athabasca University. The course may be taken as an elective by business, political science, international studies, and history students who have economics courses in their background.
In the last decade, we have seen economic internationalization proceed at a very fast pace. Our awareness of the role of international issues in our lives has increased substantially. Almost daily, we read about developments such as the European Union. We see increased economic integration efforts that have fostered monetary union and the Eeuro, policy issues related to reducing trade barriers and the impact of retaliatory actions, the spread of the Asian Crisis, and the US trade deficit. In addition, trade in services has been growing in importance.
This course is designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of international trade. You will consider a number of questions:
What determines the basis of trade?
What are the effects of trade?
What determines the value and the volume of trade?
What factors impede the flow of trade?
What is the impact of public policy that attempts to alter the pattern of trade?
Outline
The course material is divided into ten study units. These units are as follows:
Unit 1: Canada in a Global Economy
Unit 2: The Classical Theory of Trade
Unit 3: Basic Microeconomic Concepts
Unit 4: Neoclassical Trade Theory
Unit 5: Offer Curves and the Terms of Trade
Unit 6: The Basis for Trade
Unit 7: Post-Heckscher-Ohlin Theories of Trade and Intra-Industry Trade
Unit 8: The Instruments of Trade Policy
Unit 9: The Impact of Trade Policies
Unit 10: Traditional Arguments for Protection
Evaluation
Your final grade for ECON 475 is based on your performance on two quizzes, two assignments, and a final examination. To receive credit for this course, you must achieve a minimum grade of 50% on the final examination and a minimum overall course grade of D (50 percent). The following chart describes the credit weight associated with each course requirement.
Activity
Weight
Complete by
Quiz 1
10%
After Unit 3
Assignment 1
20%
After Unit 5
Quiz 2
10%
After Unit 7
Assignment 2
20%
After Unit 10
Final Examination
40%
After completing all other assessment activities.
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
In response to COVID-19 containment directives, temporary online exam(s) are available for this course.
Materials
Appleyard, D. R., & Field, A. J., Jr. (2017). International economics (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. ISBN 9781259693762 (eText)
The McGraw-Hill Connect website includes self-study review activities (SmartBook/LearnSmart) for each textbook chapter.
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ECON 475 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least 50% on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.