TRADE 5000 - International Trade: Negotiations & Agreements

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 1 - 2016

International Trade: Negotiations and Agreements consists of three modules: Module I: Trade in the Modern World Economy: an introduction to the global economy and international trade; gains from trade; value-added statistics for international trade; global and regional agreements and institutions; social issues and international trade. Module II: Trade Agreements and Instruments of Trade Policy: main agreements in the WTO trading system; understanding schedules of concessions in goods, services & agriculture; conduct of trade negotiations. Module III: Negotiation of Trade Agreements: characteristics of non-WTO economies; the politics, conduct and consequences of WTO accession; dispute settlement in ; organisation of the Australian and United States governments on trade issues; and lobbying (success and failure case studies) in connection with trade negotiations.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code TRADE 5000
    Course International Trade: Negotiations & Agreements
    Coordinating Unit Institute for International Trade
    Term Trimester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 x 1.5 day intensive modules
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Essays/projects at conclusion of Modules I & II; final exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Andrew Stoler

    Role: Course coordinator
    Location: Level 6, Nexus 10 (10 Pulteney Street)
    Telephone: +61 8 8313 6900
    Email: andrewlstoler@gmail.com

    Other Lecturer(s)
    Name:      Graeme Thomson
    Role: Expert Lecturer and Associate Expert, IIT
    Location: Canberra
    Telephone: +61 2 6247 0947
    Email: thomsonsgm@ozemail.com.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 Understand 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 Understand the basic elements of international trade by reviewing the main trade agreements and instruments of trade policy from a sectoral aspect;
    3 Understand how trade agreements are negotiated in the WTO as well as government organisations and the politics of lobbying for specific issues;
    4 Develop an understanding of how international trade agreements influence the development and adaptation of Australian trade policy through domestic legislation;
    5 Critically examine the operation and application of international trade agreements in a practical context;
    6 Develop effective skills, both orally and in writing, in the construction of policy argument and analysis on international trade issues; and
    7 Develop effective skills in international trade research.
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1,3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1,3
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,3
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources
    See Online Learning
    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 
    Through the Barr Smith Library online catalogue, the following e-Books used in this course
    The World Trading System – Law and Policy of International Economics Relationsn cell
    The Political Economy of the World Trading System – The WTO and Beyond
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be presented by way of three (3) intensive one day and a half modules offered over Trimester 1 of the academic year.

    Teaching will be partly by way of lecture and partly on the basis of a discussion of written case studies. Please ensure you bring your materials to the classes, and use the classes to address any issues that have arisen in your preparation.

    To successfully pass your course, you will need to allocate an appropriate time commitment to your study. In addition to the formal contact time required for each of your courses (e.g. intensive modules delivered by lectures, case studies and group work), you will need to allocate non-contact time.

    Non-contact time will be required for a range of activities which may include, but are not limited to, assessment tasks, reading, researching, note-taking, revision, writing, consultation with staff, and informal discussions with other students.
    Workload

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

    The University expects full-time students to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. Students in this course are expected to attend all classes throughout the semester. Please refer to Access Adelaide for your timetable and enrolment details http://www.adelaide.edu.au/access/.

    In addition to time spent in class and reading materials required for active participation in the class, students will be required to write two 1,500 word take-home essays as part of the assessment process for this class. Overall, students in TRADE 5000 should expect to devote up to 156 contact and non-contact hours to study in this course.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Module I:
    Trade in the Modern World Economy
    In this first module, students review international economic theory as it applies to global trade and familiarize themselves with basic theoretical and graphical representations of trade models. The growth, development, gains and downsides of our globalized economy are reviewed and students are exposed to the many social issues that have become intertwined with the operation of the trading system, including trade and the environment, trade and health, trade and respect for labour standards and corporate responsibility issues for multinationals. The module also covers the principal international institutions contributing to the governing of the modern economy, with particular emphasis on WTO, UNCTAD, OECD, IMF and the World Bank.
    Module II: Trade Agreements and Instruments of Trade Policy The focus of this module is the WTO system and the myriad of multilateral trade agreements that form the basis for governance of modern international trade. Students also learn how to craft and interpret national schedules of concessions in goods, services and agriculture. Principal instruments of trade policy and their economic effects are studied. The module also covers the conduct of trade negotiations and explains the differences between agreements negotiated at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
    Module III: The Negotiation of Trade Agreements This module is addressed in part to the mechanics of the multilateral system, in particular WTO accession negotiations and impacts on the global economy.  Major multilateral negotiating rounds, including Uruguay Round outcomes and Doha Round negotiating modalities are covered in detail.  The students are instructed on the operation of dispute settlement mechanisms in Australia’s multilateral agreements. The organization of the Australian Government for the development and conduct of trade policy is explored and compared to that of the United States. How a business can successfully influence government negotiators through lobbying is also covered in this module.
    Specific Course Requirements
    As this is an intensive course, students in this course are expected to attend all classes throughout the trimester.
  • 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
    There are two aspects of assessment for this course: two take home essay assignments and a final examination. Each part of the assessment is compulsory. This means that if any one of the items of Assessment is not undertaken / submitted, the marks assigned for that assessment will be forfeited, subject to the exceptions identified in the following section, and the final mark obtainable will be reduced by that amount.

    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Module I Assignment Summative

    TBA- Usually 2 weeks after Module I seminars

    25% 1,2,3,5
    Module II Assignment Summative Usually 2 weeks after Module II seminars 25% 1,2,3,5
    Final Examination Summative Please check your personal examination timetable via Access Adelaide 50% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Assignments must be submitted in:

    1. Softcopy through Turnitin on MyUni

    Your assignment MUST include the IIT assignment cover sheet which can be downloaded from MyUni under “Assignments”. Each page must be numbered with your student ID and name.

    All assignments must be presented professionally with clear headings, appropriate referencing and using one and a half spacing.

    Extensions will only be granted if requests are received in writing to the course coordinator at least 24 hours before the final due date unless they are requested on medical or compassionate grounds and are supported by appropriate documents.

    Please contact the course coordinator, preferably by email, at any time to make an appointment for assistance or guidance in relation to course work, assignments or any concerns that may arise. Assignments will normally be returned two weeks after they have been submitted.
    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.