Time Schedule:
James W. Harrington
GEOG 349
Seattle Campus
Introduces the theories and practice of international trade and foreign direct investment. Topics include: trade theory and policy; economic integration; currency markets and foreign exchange; trade operations and logistics; the international regulatory environment; and marketing, location and entry, and finance, accounting, and taxation.
Class description
This course develops straightforward frameworks for understanding the theory, practice, and policy of international trade and foreign investment (focusing on direct, rather than portfolio, investment), and their impacts on national and regional economies. The empirical content focuses on Canada, China, and Mexico and their trade relationships with the US. There are no firm prerequisites, though an introduction to economics and economic geography will be useful.
Student learning goals
Learn the basic outline of world trade patterns, and explain those outlines using international trade theory.
Use an understanding of international trade theory and its assumptions to understand and assess the critiques of liberalized trade policy.
Gain empirical grounding in the trade relationships of Canada, China, or Mexico, emphasizing the trade patterns and trends with the US.
Distinguish the varied forms of international business, and the choice criteria among them.
Ask and begin to answer questions about the logistics of international trade.
Present a nuanced perspective on the trade-policy recommendations for the US and one other country, to benefit each side.
General method of instruction
Lectures, discussion, exercises, short papers, longer research papers.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
6 brief "response papers" 2 in-class tests (essay and short answers) 2 research papers
