ECONOMICS ECO2164B-270

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

School of Management, Economics, and Mathematics

Professor:          R. Todorov

Email:                 [email protected] 

Office Hours:     Friday 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, and by appointment

Class times:       Monday, 08:30 am -11:30 am

Course Learning Outcomes:

The goal of the course is to provide basic knowledge of the key concepts in international finance.

Students will be able to

-   Learn and explain different theories of how exchange rates are determined

-   Learn how balance of payments accounting works

-   Learn how fiscal and monetary policies work in open economies

Prerequisite(s):      Economics 2152A/B

Antirequisite(s):     Economics 2167A/B, 3353A/B, 3370A/B

Textbook(s):

Required Text: Krugman, Obstfeld, Melitz “International Economics: Theory and Policy” 11th edition, Pearson, 2018

Grading:

The distribution of the marks is as follows:

  Participation (Zoom, quizzes, forums, etc.):   10%

  Assignments:                                              30%

  Midterm:                                                    25% (Feb 22)

  Final:                                                         35% (April 30)

Missed Tests:

The student who is going to miss or has just missed the test must contact the Professor and an academic counselor of the Academic Dean’s Office as soon as possible. A failure to do so may disqualify the student for an academic concession. The student should make an earnest effort to take the make up as fast as he or she can. Missing a test results in a grade of 0 unless documentation is provided that establishes that a serious illness or family emergency made it impossible to attend. This documentation must be provided no later than 5 days after a missed test. If conflicts with other tests or sporting events make it impossible to write the test on the planned date, the student is responsible to inform the Professor in advance so that alternative arrangements can be made. Students who have provided documentation of a legitimate reason for absence will be provided with the opportunity to write a make-up test. If a make-up test is impossible to organize within a reasonable period of time, the final exam will be reweighted to make up the missing grades.

Debarment:

1. A student may be debarred from writing the final examination for failure to maintain satisfactory academic standing throughout the academic year.

2. Any student who, in the opinion of the instructor, is absent too frequently from class or laboratory periods in any course, will be reported to the Dean of the Faculty offering the course (after due warning has been given). On the recommendation of the department concerned, and with the permission of the Dean of that Faculty, the student will be debarred from taking the regular examination in the course.

Course Outline

*The following outline is tentative. The instructor reserves the right to drop one or two topics if there is insufficient time*

Notes:

1) Participation in all activities as indicated during the course is required and will be marked.

2) Copyright re Course Material:

● Lectures and course materials, including presentations and posted notes, tests, case studies, assignments, exams, and other similar materials are protected by copyright. Faculty Members are the exclusive owner of copyright in those materials they create. Students may take notes and make copies for their own use. Students may not allow others to reproduce or distribute lecture notes and course materials publicly (whether or not a fee is charged) without prior written consent of the author(s).

3) How to communicate with Prof / TA:

● How to contact me: Email: [email protected]. Always include your class course number in the Subject line to help me track your question appropriately. In order to respond to your inquiries, please send all emails from your Western email account.

● I will try to return a response within 48 business hours (Monday to Friday, not weekends). The TA may be contacted through virtual office hours and possibly through the Forums on OWL.

4) Office hours:

● Office hours will take place online