Course coordinator
Dr Juan Soto
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Economics School
Pure theory of international trade, comparative advantage, Heckscher-Ohlin, growth and trade. Commercial policies: protection and welfare, economic integration, trade and economic development, Australian perspectives.
This course, which is based upon microeconomics, aims to provide students with a sound knowledge of international trade theories and policy. It focuses on the application of these theories to analyse trade issues that have arisen in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world at large. Upon the completion of this course, students should be able to apply relevant concepts and analytical tools to interpret major international trade and policy events and evaluate their implications.
Course requirements
Assumed background
A good understanding of introductory microeconomic concepts and tools is required.ﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ECON2010
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ECON7530
Course contact
School enquiries
School Enquiries, School of Economics
All enquiries regarding student and academic administration (i.e. non-course content information, e.g., class allocation, timetables, extension to assessment due date, etc.) should be directed to enquiries@economics.uq.edu.au.
Enquiries relating specifically to course content should be directed to the Course Coordinator/Lecturer.
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Lectures commence in Teaching Week 1
Tutorials commence in Teaching Week 2
Please see the Learning Activities section of this Course Profile for the timetabling implications of public holidays.
Important Dates:
· Public Holidays: Fri 18 April (Good Friday), Mon 5 ﾠMay (Labour Day).
· Mid-Semester Break: 21 ﾠApril - 25 ﾠApril. Semester 1 classes recommence on Mon 28 ﾠApril.
Students should refer to the timetable prior to the commencement of classes to ensure that they have the most up to date information, as from time to time late room changes may occur.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims are twofold. The first part of the course will cover a range of trade theories to analyse why countries engage in international trade. The second part of the course will consider various trade policies and the appropriateness of using trade policies for national objectives, along with the relationship between trade policy and political economy; developing countries' issues; and growth and migration.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of international trade such as comparative advantage, core models of international trade (Ricardian model, specific factor model, Heckscher-Ohlin model).
LO2.
Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of instruments of trade policy, and their distributional and welfare implications.
LO3.
Demonstrate an understanding of the process of economic globalisation and the pattern and direction of international trade flows.
LO4.
Critically review some of the important trade issues facing developed and developing countries and controversies related to trade and globalisation.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Problem Set 1
|
20% |
14/03/2025 - 21/03/2025
This assignment will be available to students at 9am on Friday 14 March and is due by 4pm, Friday 21 March. |
| Quiz |
Test 1
|
25% 90 minute timer within a two day period |
10/04/2025 - 11/04/2025
The quiz will open 9am Thursday 10 April and close 4pm Friday 11 April. |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Problem Set 2
|
20% |
2/05/2025 - 9/05/2025
This assignment will be available to students at 9am on Friday 2 May and is due by 4pm, Friday 9 May. |
| Quiz |
Test 2
|
35% 120 minute timer within a two day period |
22/05/2025 - 23/05/2025
The quiz will open 9am Thursday 22 May 2024 and close 4pm Friday 23 May. |
Assessment details
Problem Set 1
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
14/03/2025 - 21/03/2025
This assignment will be available to students at 9am on Friday 14 March and is due by 4pm, Friday 21 March.
Task description
A set of 5 short questions and problems covering lectures and tutorials 1, 2 and 3.
Each question is worth 4 marks (=4% of total course assessment).
This assignment will be available to students at 9am on Friday 14 March and is due by 4pm, Friday 21 March.
The assignment covers topics in lectures 1, 2 and 3.
Word length: The required word length is 1000 words plus or minus 100, excluding any references. Longer assignments will be penalised by 2 marks for every 100 words above 1100 words. Shorter assignments are likely to result in lower marks due to lack of depth and breadth of explanation.
Diagrams are not required but may be used if they enhance the answer. Diagrams should not be cut and pasted from published sources. They should be originally created, saved as a separate file, and pasted into the text. A diagram will typically count for around 100 words, more or less depending on complexity.
Your answers may be either typed or neatly hand-written.
Any sources used, other than lecture notes or the textbook, should be cited in the body of your answer with full references at the end of the assignment.
A Turnitin similarity score of greater than 10% will be penalised by 2 marks for every 10% above the threshold 10%. E.g. a score of 30% would involve a loss of 4 marks out of 20.
Important note on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This assessment task evaluates students/abilities, skills and knowledge without the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited in this assessment task and may therefore constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission via the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Test 1
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 25% 90 minute timer within a two day period
- Due date
10/04/2025 - 11/04/2025
The quiz will open 9am Thursday 10 April and close 4pm Friday 11 April.
Task description
- The quiz will open 9am Thursday 10 April and close 4pm Friday 11 April. Students can choose the time to do the test (within a 90 minute timer) while the test is open.
- The format is a mixture of true false multiple choice and numeric questions.
- Material covered will encompass all material covered in lectures and tutorials 4, 5 and 6.
- Incorrect answers for multiple choice questions will not be subject to penalties.
Further details about this online quiz will be posted to our course BB site.
Important note on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This assessment task evaluates students/abilities, skills and knowledge without the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited in this assessment task and may therefore constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Problem Set 2
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
2/05/2025 - 9/05/2025
This assignment will be available to students at 9am on Friday 2 May and is due by 4pm, Friday 9 May.
Task description
This assignment consists of a set of 6 questions and problems covering topics in lectures 7, 8 and 9.
Assessment weight: 20%. Total marks for this assignment = 20.
This assignment will be available to students at 9am on Friday 2 May and is due by 4pm, Friday 9 May.
Word length: The required word length is 1000 words plus or minus 100, excluding any references. Longer assignments will be penalised by 2 marks for every 100 words above 1100 words. Shorter assignments are likely to result in lower marks due to lack of depth and breadth of explanation.
Diagrams are not required but may be used if they enhance the answer. Diagrams should not be cut and pasted from published sources. They should be originally created, saved as a separate file, and pasted into the text. A diagram will typically count for around 100 words, more or less depending on complexity.
Your answers may be either typed or neatly hand-written.
Any sources used, other than lecture notes or the textbook, should be cited in the body of your answer with full references at the end of the assignment.
A Turnitin similarity score of greater than 10% will be penalised by 2 marks for every 10% above the threshold 10%. E.g. a score of 30% would involve a loss of 4 marks out of 20.
Important note on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This assessment task evaluates students/ abilities, skills and knowledge without the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited in this assessment task and may therefore constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted online via the course Blackboard site
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Test 2
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 35% 120 minute timer within a two day period
- Due date
22/05/2025 - 23/05/2025
The quiz will open 9am Thursday 22 May 2024 and close 4pm Friday 23 May.
Task description
- The quiz will open 9am Thursday 22 May 2024 and close 4pm Friday 23 May. Students can choose the time to do the test (within a 120 minute timer) while the test is open.
- The format is a mixture of true false multiple choice and numeric questions.
- Roughly two thirds of the test will cover material from lectures and tutorials 10, 11, 12. Roughly one third of the test will cover material from lectures and tutorials 1-9.
- Incorrect answers for multiple choice questions will not be subject to penalties.
Further details about this online quiz will be posted to our course BB site.
Important note on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This assessment task evaluates students/ abilities, skills and knowledge without the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited in this assessment task and may therefore constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0% - 29% |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30% - 46% |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47% - 49% |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50% - 64% |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65% - 74% |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75% - 84% |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85% - 100% |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
A student's final overall end of semester percentage mark will be rounded to determine their final grade. For example, 64.5% rounds to 65%, while 64.4% rounds to 64%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Plagiarism
The School of Economics is committed to reducing the incidence of plagiarism. Further information on plagiarism, and how to avoid an allegation of plagiarism, is available in this course profile under Policies & Procedures. Please refer to the Academic Integrity Module (AIM). It is strongly recommended that you complete the AIM if you have not already done so.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The lecture slides, announcements and additional readings and information for this course will be posted on Blackboard.
Students are expected to engage fully with the course by keeping abreast with the news about ﾠdevelopments in global trade events and ﾠpolicies.
The Discussion Board should be used by students to raise questions about the course material, issues related to the course and to provide information related to the course to other students.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction: World Trade and the Gravity Model Lecture 1 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapters 1, 2) |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Comparative Advantage (Ricardian model). Part 1. Lecture 2 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 3) |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Comparative Advantage (Ricardian model). Part 2. Lecture 3 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 3) |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
The Hecksher-Ohlin Model Lecture 4 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 5) |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Specific Factors and Income Distribution Lecture 5 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 4) |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
The Standard Trade Model Lecture 6 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 6) |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
External Economies of Scale Lecture 7 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 7) |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Internal Economies of Scale Lecture 8 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 8) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Good Friday - public holiday Students who normally attend a tutorial on this day are advised to attend another tutorial this week. |
|
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-semester Break No classes this week |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Trade Policy Lecture 9 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapter 9) |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Trade Policy and Political Economy Lecture 10 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapters 10, 11) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Labour Day - Public Holiday Students who normally attend a tutorial on this day are advised to attend another tutorial this week. |
|
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Trade Agreements and Trade Wars Lecture 11 Readings/Ref: Krugman, Obstfeld and Melitz (Chapters 10, 12) |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Course review |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.