| Unit name | International Finance and Economics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ECONM0032 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Ahmed Pirzada |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Economics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Students will develop significant understanding of international financial markets and will find themselves sufficiently prepared to work in any role which involves analysing trends in financial markets and how events in one country may affect economic activity in another. Importantly, students will learn to draw from a range of economic theories to understand important economic events in recent history. By engaging in a groups project where students write a report as part of their assessment, students will also learn how to work in teams and communicate their insights from economic theory to an audience which does not specialise in international economics.
Some of the most appropriate areas where students can work after taking this unit include international banks, multilateral financial institutions, economic think tanks specialising in macroeconomic analysis, financial journalism, and the financial industry in general.
How does this fit into your programme of study?
The unit is part of the International Finance and Economics pathway of the MSc Economics, Finance and Management programme. The unit is integral to the pathway as it exposes students to both the economy theory and the empirical evidence in this literature. As part of employability objectives, we aim that students taking this unit will be prepared to work in international banks, multilateral financial institutions, economic think tanks specialising in macroeconomic analysis, financial journalism, and the financial industry in general. The unit also complements other units on the programme such as Global Economy and Financial Markets and Investment.
An overview of content
The unit starts with reviewing how financial markets interact with the real economy. It then moves on to discussing why countries trade and, importantly, why (net) international capital flows in a certain direction. While international linkages help improve economic efficiency, these also give rise to vulnerabilities which can expose countries to the possibility of sovereign debt and currency crises. The unit concludes by looking at some of these vulnerabilities, and policy measures which countries can take to minimise these. In doing so, the unit will cover both relevant theoretical frameworks and important economic events in recent history.
How will student, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The most important aspect of the unit is to introduce students to theoretical frameworks which will change the way they think about key economic challenges which the world today faces. Students will also get the opportunity to work in groups and produce a policy report which they can mention on their CVs as an important piece of work they have done during their studies. The teamworking skills they will develop and the friendships they will make in the process will benefit them when they enter the professional world.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
The unit will be taught using a mix of:
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Throughout the term, students will engage with problem set questions during the small group classes, formative MCQ tests, and in class presentations. These tasks will not only deepen students’ understanding of economic theory but will also prepare them for summative assessments which count towards the final grade on this unit.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
This unit will involve two pieces of summative assessments. The first one will be 2000 words group report which will count for 30% of the unit marks, assessing ILOs 1-3. The second one will be an examination of 2 hours, 70%. Assessing ILOs 1-3.
When assessment does not go to plan
When the student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis.
The reassessment of the group report will be a 2000 words individual reflective piece of the group work.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ECONM0032).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
