Economics: Economic Integration

You explore the world of economic integration. You will learn how to analyse and understand many of the events that have dominated global news recently. For instance, what happens to trade and welfare when a long-time member of the European Union (EU) decides to leave, such as the UK did through Brexit? What are the implications for the world economy when a long-time staunch defender of trade liberalisation, like the US, changes course and starts to implement protectionism, and engage in escalating trade wars? And how can we actually trace back environmental degradation – like the burning of the Amazon forest – to the same trade wars? By taking this course, you will learn all the tools that you need to analyse these events, and discuss their wider economic implications.

The course starts by introducing the multilateral trading system. We discuss the economics of a large set of trade policy instruments, and outline the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules for how countries may use them. In part two of the course, we focus on regional economic integration, analysing how free trade agreements, customs unions etc will affect trade and welfare under various assumptions. In the final part of the course, all tools that have been introduced in the course are applied to analyse and discuss a real-world policy example (for instance European Integration and Brexit).

The course offers lectures for which participation is voluntary, but strongly encouraged. You are encouraged to ask questions, and great care is taken to create a constructive atmosphere where you feel comfortable in speaking. Lecture materials are often linked to both current stories in the news (such as developing trade wars) and the most recent research literature.

You can take part in three interactive seminars where we discuss relevant articles in small groups. Participation is voluntary, but strongly encouraged, and you earn bonus points through active attendance.

Lastly, an external speaker is often invited to give a guest lecture. This speaker will typically have a non-academic role, for instance at a government agency or an international organisation, and the idea is to offer a hands-on perspective on what international trade can look like in practice. Participation at the guest lecture is voluntary, but strongly encouraged, and you earn bonus points through attending.

The examination has several parts. The major parts consist of a written exam at the end of the course. You can also add any bonus points that you earn through discussion seminars and the guest lecture.

Prerequisites

General and at least 20 ECTS basic economics, of which at least 7.5 ECTS basic microeconomics and a basic course in international economics.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at the application deadline (up to 165): 32 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 16,250
First payment: SEK 16,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.