Course Outline

IBS221 Trade and Finance in a Global Economy

Course Coordinator:Raffaella Belloni (rbelloni@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 2

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.

Please go to usc.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

The course builds on the core Economics and International Business subjects and aims to introduce students to global theories of trade and finance and practice from an international perspective. The course is an essential course of study for students wishing to embark on a management career in a trading organisation, large or small. An in-depth understanding of International Trade Theory is integral to successful international business strategies. This course examines the emergence of the Global Marketplace and the implications for trade and finance in an ever more borderless world.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 11 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

The international economy and globalisation

Foundations of modern trade theory: comparative advantage

Tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers

Trade regulations and industrial/trade policies

Regional trading arrangements

International factor movements and MNEs

The Balance of payments

Foreign Exchange and exchange rate determination

Balance of payments and Exchange rate adustments 

Exchange rate systems & currency crisis

Macroeconomic Policy in an Open Economy

 

 

 

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

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 Demonstrate understanding and application of international economics theory Knowledgeable
Empowered
PC6, PC6.2, 12.1.5
2 Demonstrate knowledge and critical thinking to evaluate contemporary international trade issues and policies relevant to the international context Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
1.1.1, PC3, PC3.1, PC6, PC6.2, 8.1, 17.1.1
3 Analyse and evaluate the international environment by demonstrating an appreciation of cultural differences and by identifing relevant sustainable development goals (SDGs) Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed
1.1.1, PC4, PC5, PC6, 8.1.1, 10.1.4, 17.1.5
4 Participate in group work and set goals to reach outcomes. Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
PC2, PC2.1, PC3, PC3.1, PC6, PC6.1
5 Demonstrate advanced communication and digital skills in a business context Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
PC1, PC1.1, PC1.2, PC1.3, PC6

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1 Communication
PC1.1 Written Communication
PC1.2 Oral Communication
PC1.3 Digital Literacy
PC2 Collaboration
PC2.1 Teamwork
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC3.1 Problem Solving
PC4 Community Consciousness
PC5 Cultural Awareness
PC6 Career-ready
PC6.1 Self-management
PC6.2 Discipline Knowledge
Education for Sustainable Development Goals
1.1.1 The learner understands the concepts of extreme and relative poverty and is able to critically reflect on their underlying cultural and normative assumptions and practices.
8.1.1 The learner understands the concepts of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work, including the advancement of gender parity and equality, and knows about alternative economic models and indicators.
8.1 Cognitive learning objectives for “Decent Work and Economic Growth”
10.1.4 The learner understands local, national and global processes that both promote and hinder equality (fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, corporate activities, etc. ).
12.1.5 The learner understands dilemmas/trade-offs related to and system changes necessary for achieving sustainable consumption and production.
17.1.1 The learner understands global issues, including issues of financing for development, taxation, debt and trade policies, and the interconnectedness and interdependency of different countries and populations.
17.1.5 The learner knows concepts for measuring progress on sustainable development.

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

BUS102

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

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

Formative feedback will be provided through discussion of weekly topics in workshops and/or online from Week 1.

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 Written Piece Individual 25%
500-600 words
Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Oral Group 35%
10 minutes
Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Report Individual 40%
1600-1800 words excluding references
Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Problem set
Goal:
Demonstrate knowledge and application of international trade theory.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
Short-answer questions based on concepts presented in week 1-4. This is an individual assessment. More details will be provided on Canvas
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstrate an understanding and application of trade theory
1
2
Demonstrate an ability to resolve both qualitative and quantitative problems
2
3
Demonstrate effective written communication skills
5
All - Assessment Task 2:Podcast
Goal:
Prepare and present an argument for a trade policy to continue or to cease.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Oral
Format:
This is a group assessment (3 - 4 students per group) that will involve creating a podcast episode. It is advised that you organise your groups early in the semester. Self and Peer assessments are required. Further details will be available on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Knowledge and application of selected international economic and trade theories
1 2
2
Demonstrate an understanding of, and respect for, cultural differences within a trade and finance setting
3
3
Knowledge and application of effective groupwork processes
4
4
Use of effective time management
5
5
Individual contribution to the task
4
6
Acknowledgement and facilitation of strengths and skills of team members
4
7
Clarity, logic, depth and flow of arguments presented
5
8
Use of interpersonal skills when engaging with team members
4
All - Assessment Task 3:Report
Goal:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of trade and finance theories and issues through the analysis and the evaluation of the international context of a chosen country.
Product: Report
Format:
Individual assessment. A formal written report providing a critical evaluation of trade/finance situation of a foreign country. Further details will be provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification and critical analysis of issues in an international trade context
2
2
Demonstrate critical thinking in analysing issues and performance in an international business environment
1
3
Accuracy and presentation of written work and syntheses of information by using discipline-based vocabulary
5
4
Demonstrate appropriate use of Harvard citation style
5

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

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Robert Carbaugh 0 International Economics 18th ed n/a

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:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

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

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
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  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au