UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER
Department of Economics

ECON 431 - Economics of Globalization
Spring 2008
MWF 11-11:50, C1007

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Announcements (you should check this space regularly for announcements):   

INSTRUCTOR

Prof. Jeff Heinrich
Carlson 4003
Phone: 472.5583 (office);   608.741.1369  (home - before 9 p.m. only - leave a message, I screen calls)
Office Hours:    Monday Wednesday 1-2 and 3:30-4:30; Tuesday 1:30-3:30; Thursday 1-3 (electronic)
email: heinricj@uww.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the Economics of Globalization.  This course will examine the "globalization" of economic activity and the policy debates and responses this globalization provokes.  After an introduction to the course and material, the first part of the course will look at the patterns of economic change.   The second part of the course will then explore the processes behind economic globalization with an emphasis on the relevant theories of international trade and multinational enterprise.  The third part of the course then looks at government policy interaction with economic globalization, both in terms of national government policies and the institutional framework behind the world trading system - the WTO.  The last part of the course will then consider some of the debates that globalization brings up, some other issues the global economic system needs to contemplate, and where appropriate consider and critically evaluate what messages economic theory brings (or does not bring) to these debates, and case studies.

Students are expected to keep informed of current events.  You should regularly read a news source with significant international business news coverage.  Suggestions include the Wall Street Journal , the New York Times , the Financial Times , and The Economist .  Consult my web site for an expanded list of online news sources (under Interesting Links ).

Prerequisite:  Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 201 or 212 )

COURSE MATERIALS

GRADED ASSIGNMENTS

GRADING POLICY

Your overall course grade is based on your overall score for the course, and how you rank against other students in the class. Historically, I have been comfortable using the standard grading scale, i.e., 100-90% = A, 89.x-80% = B, etc. In no case will any 'curve' give you a worse grade than what you would get under the standard grading scale.

Attendance and Make-ups:   Your enrollment in this course is taken as a commitment to attend class regularly and complete all tasks in the time allowed.  It is expected that you have arranged or will arrange all other activities in a way consistent with your being able to submit assignments on time and take quizzes and exams when scheduled.   It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any materials or information missed due to absence.     Make ups are permitted only upon prior proof of participation in a University-sanctioned event which conflicts with an exam, except for the paper which has sufficient lead time that no make-up is necessary.  

UWW POLICY STATEMENT

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodations, Discrimination and Absence for University-sponsored events. (For details please refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate Timetables; the "Rights and Responsibilities" section of the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Bulletin; and the "Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures" [UWS Chapter 14]; and the "Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" [UWS Chapter 17].

COBE STUDENT HONOR CODE

As members of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater College of Business & Economics community, we commit ourselves to act honestly, responsibly, and above all, with honor and integrity in all areas of campus life.  We are accountable for all that we say and write.  We are responsible for the academic integrity of our work.  We pledge that we will not misrepresent our work nor give or receive unauthorized aid.  We commit ourselves to behave in a manner that demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights and freedoms of all members of the community.  We are respectful of college property and the property of others.  We will not tolerate a lack of respect for these values.

 This code originated at Wheaton College.

Instructor's Note:  Everything you write should be solely in your own words, with the exception of quotes which should be few in number and clearly attributed to the author.  Cutting and pasting from any source with or without proper citation is expressly prohibited.  Academic dishonesty of any sort will be met with the harshest available measures.  All students in this course will be held to this code.

COURSE SCHEDULE

I reserve the right to amend this schedule as I believe necessary.  These changes will be announced in class.  Many readings will be in PDF format and for these  readings, you will need Acrobat Reader.

get Acrobat Reader

0.  Introduction to Globalization

1.  From There to Here: A Brief History of Globalization

2.  Theory of Trade.

3.  Theory of the Multinational Firm

4.  Trade and FDI Policy

5.  The WTO

6.  Regional Economic Integration

7.  Globalization and Regulatory Issues

8.  Globalization and Labor

9.  Globalization and the Environment

10.  Opposition to Globalization

11.  Cases (TBA, time permitting)