ECF5921 International economics
Faculty of Business and Economics
ECF5921 International economics is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECF5921
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After ECF5921
No unit lists ECF5921 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
If you are enrolled in course B6001, B6030 or B6036 you cannot undertake this unit.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
The unit introduces basic economic principles and concepts and discusses economic interdependence notions and gains from trade and globalisation; the role of institutions in promoting and facilitating these concepts in the international economy; theories of trade, incorporating notions of absolute and comparative advantage; modern trade theory and its extensions; empirical evidence which highlight trade theory strengths and limitations; investigation and analysis of welfare effects of trade, using both theory and evidence to answer contentious concerns: does trade make the poor even poorer; are trade restrictions necessary to protect jobs; do larger trade benefits accrue to developed countries more than developing countries?
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | Blended |
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test50%
- Written50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
introduce basic economic principles, concepts and ideas
- 2
identify and understand the theoretical foundations of why economies engage in trade
- 3
critically analyse issues, concerns and developments in the international economy and be able to interpret their impacts on the Australian economy.
Workload and teaching
- Applied sessions12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Assessments2 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit allows you to develop your research skills by engaging in structured inquiry using a systematic approach and discipline-specific methodologies.
Learning resources
Required resources
First semester: Mankiw, Gregory, Essentials of Economics, Cengage (10th edition), 2024
First and Second semester: Feenstra, Rob, and Taylor, Alan, International Trade, 5th edition, 2021
Where it fits
ECF5921 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Laura Puzzello
- Associate Professor Horag Choi
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECF5921?
ECF5921 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is ECF5921 offered?
In 2026, ECF5921 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield.
How much work is ECF5921?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECF5921 have an exam?
No. ECF5921 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ECF5921?
ECF5921 is part of Business economics, Global studies, International business and Policy studies.