ECON 7044 - International Finance PG

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course deals with the analysis of three important and related macroeconomics issues in open economies: exchange rates, capital flows and financial crises. The objectives of the course are two-fold: to introduce and critically evaluate the main relevant economic theories, models and empirical works in these three key areas of International Finance; and to apply these analytical tools to build an understanding of relevant economic developments and policy issues in the global markets. The basic tenets of international finance are presented through a core textbook, assigned readings and online lectures.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECON 7044
    Course International Finance PG
    Coordinating Unit Economics
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible ECON 3510
    Assumed Knowledge ECON 7200 or ECON 7222
    Restrictions Available to MHlthEcPol, MFin&BusEc, GCertAppEc, GDipAppEc, MAppEc, students only
    Course Description This course deals with the analysis of three important and related macroeconomics issues in open economies: exchange rates, capital flows and financial crises. The objectives of the course are two-fold: to introduce and critically evaluate the main relevant economic theories, models and empirical works in these three key areas of International Finance; and to apply these analytical tools to build an understanding of relevant economic developments and policy issues in the global markets. The basic tenets of international finance are presented through a core textbook, assigned readings and online lectures.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Qazi Haque

    Qazi Haque
    Location: Room 4.47, Nexus 10 Tower
    Telephone: 8313 4927
    Email: qazi.haque@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
    This course deals with the analysis of selected macroeconomic issues in open economies.


    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Explain conceptually the organisation of foreign exchange markets.
    2. Apply simple models of current account dynamics and exchange rates determination.
    3. Analyse the causes of historical exchange rate movements with reference to the models covered in class.
    4. Apply the models covered in class to analyse a range of current issues in international finance.
    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.

    1-4

    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.

    1-4

    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.

    1-4

    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.

    1-4

    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.

    1-4

    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.

    1-4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Exchange Rates and International Finance (5th or 6th Edition) by Laurence Copeland, Pearson
    Recommended Resources
    Additional readings will be made available on MyUni in due course.
    Online Learning
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The lectures will closely follow the textbook. The lectures and the text should reinforce each other. You are advised to keep up with the reading. You will find that the lectures are far easier to follow if you have already been exposed to the material via the text.

    The tutorials will build each week on the material covered during the previous week's lectures, and will be based either on a more advanced treatment of what has been covered in the lectures, or a discussion of a related academic paper or current events.

    The degree of difficulty in the PG tutorials will reflect the normal expectation on a postgraduate course in international finance.
    Workload

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

    The workload for this course should consist of:

    Attend lectures 2 hours per week

    Attend tutorials 1 hour per week

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

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This translates to 12 hours per week for a semester course.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Teaching & Learning Activities Related Learning Outcomes
    Lectures (2 x 1 hr) 1-4
    Tutorials (1hr) 1-4


    Lecture Schedule


    The following schedule is tentative and subject to changes.

    Week 1: Introduction to Basic Concepts in International Finance (Chapter 1)

    Week 2: Prices in the open economy: purchasing power parity (Chapter 2)

    Week 3: Financial markets in the open economy (Chapter 3)

    Week 4: Open economy macroeconomics (Chapter 4)

    Week 5-6: Flexible prices: the monetary model (Chapter 5)

    Week 6-7: Fixed prices: the Mundell–Fleming model (Chapter 6)

    Mid-term exam (Week 7)

    Week 8: Sticky prices: the Dornbusch model (Chapter 7)

    Mid-semester break

    Week 9: Portfolio balance and the current account (Chapter 8)

    Week 10: Currency substitution (Chapter 9)

    Week 11: Crises and credibility (Chapter 15)

    Week 12: Optimum currency areas, monetary union and the eurozone (Chapter 16)
    Specific Course Requirements
    To pass this course, students are required to achieve an overall mark of at least 50%.
  • 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 Due Date/ Week Weight Learning Outcomes
    Tutorial Active Participation Weeks 2-12 10% 1 - 4
    Quizzes (best 4 out of 5) Online multiple choice questions via MyUni 15% 1 - 4
    Group Assignment To be announced on MyUni 10% 1 - 4
    Mid-Term Exam To be announced on MyUni 25% 1 - 4
    Final Exam To be announced by the University 40% 1 - 4
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The mid-term test is redeemable if students choose not to, or are unable to, do the tests. The weighting of the missed test will be added to the weighting of the final exam.
    To pass the course, students must achieve at least 50% of the marks overall. There is no separate requirement relating to the final examination.
    Assessment Detail
    NOTES ON ASSESSMENT

    Professionally presented answers, and where relevant legible hand-writing, and the quality of English expression, are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process. Marks cannot be awarded for handwriting that cannot be read, and marks will be deducted for poorly presented assignments.

    EXAMINATIONS It is each student's responsibility to read the examination timetable. Misreading the timetable is not accepted as grounds for granting a supplementary exam. University staff are not permitted to provide examination times to students over the telephone or in response to personal enquiries.

    Students may NOT take into the examination a DICTIONARY (English or English-Foreign)


    Submission
    Details to be announced on MyUni in due course.
    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.

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