Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMICS
Module Guide
2005/06
Module Outline
International
Team
Economics
Teaching
Lecture Programme
Week
Topic
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
International competitiveness
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Teaching Team
The lecture programme for International Economics will be delivered by:
Andrew Harrison (module leader) (Tel. 34 2875, e-mail: a.harrison@tees.ac.uk)
Other members of the seminar team are:
Lynton Bussell (Tel. 34 2878, e-mail: l.i.bussell@tees.ac.uk)
Julian Gough (Tel. 34 2854, e-mail: julian.gough@tees.ac.uk)
Stephen James (Tel. 34 2854, e-mail: s.james@tees.ac.uk)
Bill Suthers (Tel. 34 2844, e-mail: w.suthers@tees.ac.uk)
Module Aims
I. To promote an awareness of the importance of international business activities
and of the international business environment.
Indicative Content
1. Activities Involved in International Business
the nature of international business
motives for going international
major international business activities
2. The Role of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)
main features of MNEs
role ofMNEs in global economic activity
interaction between MNEs and the countries in which they operate
the influence of culture
the globalisation of markets, resources and the world's economies
3. Economic, Political, Legal and Cultural Issues in the International Business
Environment
alternative business models: Anglo-Saxon, European and East Asian models
business development in the emerging economies of the Pacific Rim and
elsewhere
problems in the least developed countries
the role of culture, formal and informal institutions, and ethics
4. The Role of lnternational Institutions and Regional Integration
institutions involved in global governance: United Nations, World Trade
Organisation, International Monetary Fund, World Bank etc.
the world trade order: free trade, trade barriers and trade relations between
countries
levels of integration between countries and their static and dynamic implications
analysis of major regional economic groupings, e.g. EU, NAFTA, APEC etc.
5. Globalisation and Other International Business Developments
alternative ideas on the nature and impact of globalisation
evaluation of the evidence for globalisation
evaluation of the nature and impact of the 'new economy' and other
international business developments
implications for international competitiveness
6. International Business Research Topics
detailed research and evaluation of topical issues in international business
TEACHING/LEARNING STRATEGIES
Lectures
These will provide an explanation of the key concepts and issues and will point
students to appropriate sources of further reading and study. Whilst attendance at
lectures is essential to enable students to understand the framework of the module,
these sessions should be seen as only the starting point for individual study.
Independent reading of textbooks, journal articles and good newspapers is necessary
to develop sufficient understanding of the international business environment.
Tutorials/Seminars
The seminars are where we explore the topics introduced in the lectures in more
depth. They provide opportunities for students to participate in discussions and
contribute, either individually or in a group, their views and observations on the topics
under discussion. It is essential that tutorial work is well prepared before coming to
the class. Failure to do this preparatory work will hinder the progress of individuals
or the group as a whole.
Some of the tutorials are based on case studies or other applications and are designed
to enhance knowledge, understanding and skills pertinent to the topics being covered.
It is therefore essential that students regard each tutorial session very seriously as a
means of stimulating learning, reinforcing knowledge and understanding and, where
appropriate, remedying difficulties. It is in this spirit that each student will be
expected to participate actively in tutorial sessions. Some of the tutorials will also be
used to provide guidance on the research topics and exam preparation.
ASSESSMENT
The examination will last 2 hours and 15 minutes. The questions will be unseen, but
the research topics in Section A will be known in advance and copies of newspaper
articles which are the basis for questions in Section B will be issued about three
weeks before the examination. In Section A you will be required to answer ONE
question (one third of the total marks) based on your chosen research topic. In
Section B you will be required to answer TWO two-part questions (one third of the
total marks each) based on case studies or newspaper articles. It is recommended that
you spend 45 minutes answering your chosen question in Section A and 45 minutes
on each of your chosen questions in Section B. In each section there will be a choice
of questions. You will not be allowed to take any notes, books or other materials into
the examination. New copies of the case studies or newspaper articles will be issued
with the examination paper.