73285 - Economy of Integration

Learning outcomes

We broadly go through 9 topics concerning both the global and the European economic integration. The point of view is MICRO, MACRO and  POLITICAL ECONOMY. The aim is to let students get the basic skill to write reports, take part in discussions and contribute to decisions in international institutions, multinational firms and in all other subjects involved in global and European economic integration process.

Course contents

We shall go through 9 out the 11 issues listed below. The selection will depend upon students preferences and the economic background of the class assessed by the teacher

1.     MACRO Pitfalls and oddities of Euroland members' Balance of Payments

2.     MACRO The ECB, monetary policy and seigniorage

3.     MACRO The euro, the dollar as international reserve currencies and their political economy

4.     MACRO Financial integration, pros and cons in Europe and worldwide

5.     MACRO Labor migration, capital mobility and wages

6.     MICRO A survey of new theories of International trade

7.     MICRO Geographic agglomeration and environment  

8.     MICRO Free Trade Area, Custom Union and Single Market: comparative issues

9.     MICRO Competition, antitrust and antidumping: a trilemma

10.  POLITICAL ECONOMY of the European integration

11.  POLITICAL ECONOMY Home bias and religion

 

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes-files (in English) will be made available on the website of Unibo and will contain reading references for each topic. Access is restricted to enrolled students.

Teaching methods

The instructor explains the specific issues in a self contained manner using PP files, geometry, mathematics and broad intuition with frequent links to the casual observation suggested by media and events occurring in the global economy. A technical support may be provided by the teacher in office hours or during classes. Technicalities will be broadly explained for non experts.

 

Assessment methods

Bonuses obtained answering questions during classes, home assignments, and 3 short written essays (WORD, max 2 pages double spaced, font 12) on 3 out of some 10 topics provided by the teacher during the course. Foreign students may write their papers in English.

For those not attending classes the exam is based on an oral discussion.

Teaching tools

The class is based on lessons where the instructor addresses specific issues concerning integration by  going through  files in Power Point in English. 

Students acquire new information and interact with the instructor by carrying on short presentations during classes (if classes are not too crowded).

Office hours

See the website of Gianpaolo Rossini