The course aims to provide the theoretical tools necessary to understand the changing process of economic globalization, with a focus on the models and concepts developed in the field of international economics and in the literature on the international organization of production.
An overview of the history of economic globalization is offered, along with a critical explanation of the models that have been provided to interpret the different waves of international integration of economies. This will allow to identify the key drivers of international trade between countries, of cross-border capital flows deriving from the internationalization strategies of multinational companies, as well as their distributional impact.
Empirical evidence based on multiple data sources will accompany the introduction and discussion of models and concepts, providing students with the critical knowledge to read and interpret data on the global economy and in particular on the international flows of goods, services and capital.

1.  Introduction to the course: key dimensions of globalization and stylized facts

2.  Basic concepts of standard microeconomics and industrial organization

3.  International trade, absolute and comparative advantages: the Ricardian model

4.  International trade and factor endowment: the Heckscher-Ohlin model

5.  Intra-industry trade with monopolistic competition: the Krugman model

6.  Firm heterogeneity and international trade (hints of the Melitz model)

7.  Global trade restrictions and transport costs

8.  Multinational Corporations and FDIs

9.  Global Value Chains

10. Effects of globalization on economic growth, development and inequality

Basic concepts of standard microeconomics and industrial organization.

Students who need a textbook to revise standard tools of microeconomics may look to, e.g., Krugman, P., & Wells, R., Microeconomics, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishing, 2015; or Varian H. R., Intermediate Microeconomics. A Modern Approach, Ninth Edition, W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.

- Knowledge and understanding abilities: The course will yield abilities to collect and understand information on the different dimensions of globalisation: international movements of persons, goods and services, capital and knowledge. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Knowledge and applied abilities: students will have to apply the acquired knowledge in a comprehensive and flexible way, use concepts methods and interpretive models to data and statistics as well as to different analytical frameworks. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Autonomy of judgement: Students will have to connect different bits of knowledge and deal with complex issues in an autonomous way and developing a critical ability. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Communication abilities: Students will have to develop abilities to approprately communicate the concepts and facts illustrated and discussed during classwork. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Learning abilities: Students will have to develop good learning abilities that will enable them to deepen their knowledge of globalisation issues in subsequent academic and professional experiences. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course includes lectures and classroom discussions.

Homework assignments, such as short essays to be written by students on selected course topics, will be given and students will be expected to discuss them in class.

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

Course books

Beugelsdijk S., Brakman S., Garretsen H. and van Marrewijk C., International Economics and Business. Nations and Firms in the Global Economy, Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2013. (BBGV) Selected chapters.

Baldwin, R., The Great Convergence: Information Technology and the New Globalization. Harvard University Press, 2016. (Baldwin) Chapters 1-7 (pp. 1-219)

The textbook will be supplemented with slides, academic articles and further readings in electronic format that will be provided by the professor during classes or on the webpage of the course (the moodle platform).

Students who need a textbook to revise standard tools of microeconomics may look to, e.g., Krugman, P., & Wells, R., Microeconomics, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishing, 2015; or Varian H. R., Intermediate Microeconomics. A Modern Approach, Ninth Edition, W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.

Assessment

The evaluation consists of two parts:

1. Assessment of a short essay (possibly to be prepared in groups) aimed at discussing a specific topic assigned by the professor in the light of the models and data discussed in the previous classes. Groups of students will then be asked to present their topic in class. Further information about the short essay (selected topics, lenght of the essay, ecc.) will be delivered in class. The evaluation of the short essay and the oral presentation is worth 30% of the final grade.

2. Oral exam on the topics included in the course. The evoluation of the oral exam is worth 70% of the final grade.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students should refer to the same teaching material indicated for attending students.

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

Course books

Same as for attending students.

Assessment

Oral exam on the topics included in the course.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.