TRADE 5000 - International Trade: Negotiations & Agreements

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 1 - 2018

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. The course is delivered through a blended learning approach with teaching materials and online modules provided through the MyUni course page. Students are 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 Trimester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 36 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Essays/projects at conclusion of Modules I & II; final exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Uwe Kaufmann

    Name: Dr Uwe Kaufmann
    Role: Course coordinator
    Location: Level 5, Nexus 10 (10 Pulteney Street)
    Email: uwe.kaufmann@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 lobbyism, and international and governmental organizations 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)
    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 Learning & Teaching modes of this course will comprise of a mix of online and face-to face modules. These will include group work and presentations, discussions and debate.

    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 Institute requires students undertaking this course to attend all face-to-face modules and to successfully complete all online/e-modules. This course comprise of approximately 36 contact hours (structured learning). In addition to time spent in class, students are expected to devote an additional 120 non-contact hours to study and research work in this course as well as to successfully complete online/e-modules.
    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

    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Online quizzes Formative Before each Modules 15% 1,2,3,4
    Discussion board participation Formative Before each Modules 10% 1,2,3,4
    Group work Formative Module 2 30% 3,4,5,6
    Peer assessment Formative Module 2 5% 5,6
    Report/Policy brief Summative End of Term 40% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Assessment Detail
    Online Quizzes (15%)

    Students will be required to complete online assessments on MyUni prior to the face-to-face sessions (Modules).

     
    Discussion board participation (10%)

    Students will be assessed based on their contributions on the discussion board. 


    Group work (30%)

    Groups will be formed in Module 1. Students will work on and resolve a problem/case assigned by the lecturer and present their results to the class.


    Peer assessment (5%)

    Group members are expected to evaluate the conduct and contributions of their team members through peer evaluation.

     
    Report/Policy brief (40%)

    Students will individually work on a report/policy brief assigned by the lecturer. Students are to synthesize materials, concepts, topics and tools covered throughout the course. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to apply knowledge while expressing themselves clearly and in a structured manner.

     
    Submission
    Assignments must be submitted in:

    All assignments must be submitted as softcopy through Turnitin on the MyUni course page.

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

    Your name and student ID must be presented on the title page.

    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 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.

    Online feedback on assignments will normally be returned within four 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.

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