TRADE 5000 - International Trade: Negotiations & Agreements

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

International Trade: Negotiation and Agreements typically consists of three modules designed to progressively introduce students into the complex world of trade negotiations, with focus on the World Trade Organization. Module 1 generally starts with supplying broad conceptual toolkits for understanding International Political Economy (IPE); an essential framework for an increasingly contested global economy. It typically follows this with an introductions the concept of Economic Diplomacy as a set of tools states use in order to advance their interests abroad - and at home. Then students may be introduced to theories of trade bargaining, as a subset of economic diplomacy. Module 2 typically follows with a shift in focus to the evolution of the WTO, and its current institutional arrangements. Broad consideration may also be given to the various trade instruments, from tariffs to intellectual property rights, inter alia, governed at the WTO level, and updates students on current debates over the future of the WTO. Module 3 generally sets students to utilising the toolkits and institutional knowledge developed in modules 1 and 2 in an intensive trade bargaining simulation. The course is typically delivered through a blended learning approach with teaching materials and online modules provided through the MyUni course page. In this mode, students are be expected to complete all online modules prior to the face-to-face sessions.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code TRADE 5000
    Course International Trade: Negotiations & Agreements
    Coordinating Unit Institute for International Trade
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 36 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Typically, participation, group work, online quizzes, final assignment.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Peter Draper

    Name: Professor Peter Draper
    Role: Course coordinator
    Location: Level 5, Nexus 10 (10 Pulteney Street)
    Email: peter.draper@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The International Trade: Negotiations and Agreements course aims to build internationally competitive knowledge and understanding in the area of international trade by challenging students to engage in cognitive and critical thinking skills and requiring them to demonstrate the ability to analyse and integrate information across the broad disciplines of economics, law and politics in both a domestic and international context.

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Evaluate trade in the modern world through studying the global institutions involved in the multilateral trading system, the gains from trade and social issues affected by trade;
    2 Explain the elements of international trade by reviewing the historical development of multilateral agreements and instruments of trade policy;
    3 Critically reflect on how trade agreements are negotiated in the WTO;
    4 Analyse the influence of key actors and institutions on multilateral trade;
    5 Critically examine the operation and application of multilateral trade agreements in a practical context; and
    6 Apply effective writing, research and presentation skills in the construction of policy argument and analysis on international trade issues.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,1,3,4,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1,3,6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1,2,3,4,5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,3,4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1,2,3,5,6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1,2,3,5,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The following readings will be provided in e-book format via Myuni - there is no need to purchase them.

    Module 1

    Robert Gilpin (2001) Global Political Economy: Understanding the International Economic Order. Princeton: Princeton UP. Chapter 4.

    Nicholas Bayne and Stephen Woolcock (2003) The New Economic Diplomacy: Decision-Making and Negotiation in International Economic Relations. Aldershot: Ashgate. Chapter 1.

    John S. Odell (2000) Negotiating the World Economy. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Chapter 2.


    Module 2

    The WTO’s website contains a wealth of information on the organization and its covered agreements. Students should regularly refer to it.

    Reference material

    Bernard Hoekman, Aaditya Matto, and Philip English (2002) Development, Trade, and the WTO. Washington: World Bank. (pdf freely available online)


    Module 3

    Students will be provided with WTO accession negotiation simulation packs, containing the core materials you need.

    The WTO’s website contains a wealth of information on the organization and its covered agreements. Students should regularly refer to it.
    Recommended Resources
    The WTO website contains a wealth of information on the organization and its covered agreements. Students should regularly refer to it.

    Students will also be provided with a number of e-learning videos that will be assessed online via Myuni.

    Paul Blustein (2009) Misadventures of the Most Favoured Nations: Clashing Egos, Inflated Ambitions, and the Great Shambles of the World Trade System. New York: Public Affairs.
    Online Learning
    The course makes extensive use of MyUni for the posting of course materials and important announcements. It is expected that all students will regularly check the MyUni course website, and regularly check their university email accounts.

    Books Students Can Obtain for Free Online
    From the World Trade Organisation 
    Understanding the WTO http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/understanding_e.pdf 
    GATS – Fact and Fiction  http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/gatsfacts1004_e.pdf 
    Managing the Challenges of WTO Participation: 45 Case Studies https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/casestudies_e/casestudies_e.htm 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be offered face-to-face, with online/remote should circumstances warrant it. 
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students are expected to actively engage with prescribed and recommended readings, discussions groups, and in-class discussions. Being a standard course the workload will be within the standard prescribed hours. The third module will be student-led and anchored on an intensive negotiation simulation that will be time-intensive, albeit immensely rewarding.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Precise activities, including the workflow, will be communicated through Myuni. In general they will consist of a mix of discussion boards, in-class discussions stimulated by formal lectures delivered in seminar format, and the capstone negotiation simulation rounded off by an individual assignment.
    Specific Course Requirements
    None.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
     
    Assessment task Task type Due Weighting Learning outcome
    Online quizzes Formative Before each Module 10% 1,2,3,4
    Discussion board Formative Before each Module 10% 1,2,3,4
    Group work Formative Modules 2 and 3 30% 3,4,5,6
    Peer assessment Formative Modules 2 and 3 10% 5,6
    Report/Policy brief Summative End of Term 40% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    These will be conveyed through Myuni.
    Assessment Detail
    This will be conveyed through Myuni.
    Submission
    This will be conveyed through Myuni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.