Course Outline

BUS708 International Trade and Finance

Course Coordinator:Sajid Anwar (sanwar@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Session 3

UniSC Sunshine Coast

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course, you will explore how global economic forces shape trade, finance, labour mobility, and macroeconomic stability. You will examine the key drivers of international trade, the economic rationale and costs of tariffs and other restrictions, and why some nations resist liberalization. You will also study foreign investment, migration, exchange rate regimes, and internal and external imbalances such as inflation, recession, and balance of payments, along with policy strategies to address them. The course highlights the connections of these issues to the UN Sustainable Development Goals on sustainable growth and international partnerships.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 2hrs Week 1 6 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 3hrs Week 1 6 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 2hrs Week 1 6 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 3hrs Week 1 6 times

Course Topics

Introduction to global economy

Why countries trade with each other (early and more recent theories)?

Why and how is international trade restricted?

International economic integration, economic growth and international trade

Why does foreign investment and international labour mobility take place?

Balance of payments and international trade

Nature of foreign exchange market

Determination of currency exchange rates and international monetary system

Fixed versus flexible exchange rates

Exchange rates adjustment policies and international policy coordination

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Competencies from multiple Professional Bodies (see below) *
1 Compare and evaluate alternative theories of international trade. Creative and critical thinker
PC1.1, PC3, 8, 17.2.1
2 Determine the benefits and costs of foreign direct investment and labour mobility in a chosen context. Empowered
PC1.1, PC3, 8.1.4, 8.2.3
3 Compare fixed and flexible exchange rates systems in the context of an integrated world economy. Knowledgeable
PC1.1, PC3, PC6, 8.1.3, 17.3.4

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1.1 Written Communication
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC6 Career-adaptive
Education for Sustainable Development Goals
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
8.1.4 The learner understands how low and decreasing wages for the labour force and very high wages and profits of managers and owners or shareholders are leading to inequalities, poverty, civil unrest, etc.
8.2.3 The learner is able to understand how one’s own consumption affects working conditions of others in the global economy.
8.1.3 The learner understands the relation between employment and economic growth, and knows about other moderating factors like a growing labour force or new technologies that substitute jobs.
17.2.1 The learner is able to raise awareness about the importance of global partnerships for sustainable development.
17.3.4 The learner is able to support development cooperation activities.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in any PGRD Program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Practice questions with answers will be provided in week 3.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Case Study Individual 50%
2000 words (excluding references, charts tables and graphs)
Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Written Piece Individual 50%
3 hours
Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Report
Goal:
You will apply theories of international trade and foreign investment to a specified business situation.
Product: Case Study
Authorship Statement:
Format:
The report will include a title page, executive summary and a table of contents. The report will include the following sections: (i) Introduction, (ii) analysis, and (iii) Conclusion and recommendations.

This task is being used for measuring assurance of learning towards Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. The following Program Competency will be assessed:

PC1.3: Demonstrate digital literacy skills for advanced communication and information sharing in a business context.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Professional communication and presentation of data and background information supported by references
1 2
2
Reasoned analysis and recommendations based on application of relevant concepts and theories
1 2
3
PC1.3: Identification of digital tool for specific business purposes and outcomes
1
4
Communicate effectively using appropriate digital tools/channels
1 2
5
Demonstrate appreciation of the importance of protecting online reputation and its management
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving
All - Assessment Task 2:Written Piece
Goal:
The written piece, which covers all topics, involves responding to five questions. The written piece will allow you to demonstrate advanced knowledge of International trade and finance theory and practice.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
The written piece involves responding to compulsory short answer discussion type questions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Accurate calculations using relevant techniques
1 2 3
2
Knowledge and application of relevant concepts/theories to given scenarios
2 3
3
Clarity of written communication
1 2 3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Dominick Salvatore 2011 Introduction to International Economics 3rd edition Wiley
Recommended Dominick Salvatore 2020 International Economics 13th edition Wiley

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: