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International Business Administration

Intermediate Macroeconomics

Exam number: 6071

Semester: from 5th semester (Schwerpunktbildung)

Duration of the module: One Semester

Form of the module (i.e. obligatory, elective etc.): Elective

Frequency of module offer: Irregularly

Prerequisites: The students should be able to analyze macroeconomic shocks in the IS-LM-model and the AS-AD-model in a verbal, graphical, and formal way. The students should be able to apply mathematical concepts such as the differential and Cramer's rule (Course: Macroeconomics 101). Furthermore, the students should have some background in statistics and should be able to construct and interpret confidence intervals, hypotheses tests and univariate regressions (Course: Statistics 101 and 201). Students should be able to run and interpret OLS regressions. Knowledge of Excel or statistical software such as “R” or STATA is required. Knowledge about the main equilibrium conditions in international macroeconomics, such as the different concepts of PPP, UIP, CIP and their empirical validity. Students should have knowledge about the underlying assumptions and equilibrium conditions of common macroeconomic models of the open economy (Mundell-Fleming model and the monetary model) and should have the skills to discuss shocks in a verbal, graphical, and formal way (Course: International Monetary Economics or International Macroeconomics). "Grundlagenausbildung” (orientation phase) and at least one additional course in European Economics should be completed.

Applicability of module for other study programmes:
Obligatory or elective in other study programmes. For further information check regulations of the study programme.

Person responsible for module: Prof. Dr. Georg Stadtmann

Name of the professor: Prof. Dr. Georg Stadtmann

Language of teaching: English

ECTS-Credits (based on the workload): 6

Workload and its composition (self-study, contact time):
Contact time (lecture, tutorials, seminar etc.) 42 h; self-study: 136 h; exam 1.5h

Contact hours (per week in semester): 3

Methods and duration of examination:

  • A complete submission of 5 group assignments on schedule and presentation in the tutorial class ((weight: 50 % in sum) (A group consists of 3 to 4 students).
  • Final exam (90 minutes, weight: 50%).
  • All students have to actively participate when a group has to present its solution. In case that a student does not take an active role in the presentation or is absent, the student can only earn 50 % of the credit of the group.
The final grade results from the weighted average of the single graded parts. Assessment criteria: A student receives a grade of 1.0 by exhibiting:
  • A comprehensive overview and a very sound knowledge of the various models, theories and methods covered in class.
  • A convincing general understanding of the basic assumptions of the models and theories covered in class.
  • An extensive ability to explain the adjustment mechanisms of the different models, by using graphical analysis as well as mathematical calculations that describe these mechanisms.
  • An extensive knowledge about individual models and theories and their applications - as reflected in a comprehensive rationale for the choice of model under given specific situations and problems.
  • A sound understanding of main principles of the monetary policy conducted by the ECB and its impact on the European economy.
A student receives a grade of 4.0 – minimum acceptable grade of successful completion of the course – by exhibiting:
  • A basic overview and a very sound knowledge of the various models, theories and methods covered in class
  • A basic general understanding of the basic assumptions the models and theories covered in class.
  • A basic ability to explain the adjustment mechanisms of the different models, by using graphical analysis as well as mathematical calculations that describe these mechanisms.
  • A basic knowledge about individual models and theories and their applications - as reflected in a comprehensive rationale for the choice of model under given specific situations and problems.
  • A basic understanding of main principles of the monetary policy conducted by the ECB and its impact on the European economy.

Emphasis of the grade for the final grade: Please check regulations of the study programme

Aim of the module (expected learning outcomes and competencies to be acquired):
The purpose of the course is to apply some of the most widely used models in international macroeconomics to the real world. The course provides more advanced tools for performing comparative static and dynamic analysis of the open economy. This tool-box contains verbal, graphical and mathematical tools. In addition, the students get hands-on experience analyzing economic data by using Excel and econometric software. The course introduces advanced macroeconomic models of the open economy. In relation to the study program's qualification profile, the subject explicitly focuses on:

  • Gain knowledge about the main equilibrium conditions in international macroeconomics, such as the different concepts of PPP, UIP, CIP and their empirical validity.
  • Students should apply their knowledge about the underlying assumptions and equilibrium conditions of common macroeconomic models of the open economy (Mundell-Fleming model, monetary model) and compare them to more advanced (dynamic) models such as the Dornbusch overshooting model.
  • Students learn the skills to analyze shocks in models with nominal rigidities (Dornbusch) and highlight the interdependencies between the various macroeconomic markets in a dynamic context.
  • Students possess the skills to analyze, compare and evaluate the consequences of various macroeconomic shocks on a small open economy. They gain also the skills to quantify these effects. To be more specific, students acquire the skills to apply, for example, Cramer's rule and Sarrus' rule to solve a linear system of equations.
  • Students have the skills to perform comparative static as well as dynamic analyses. Students are expected to derive impulse response functions by numerical simulation methods. Various sensitivity analyses highlight the importance of the different assumptions as well as the impact of different parameter constellations.
  • The various macroeconomic models build the basic modeling tools of the different crisis models. For example, the monetary model builds the basic block of first generation crises models discussed in the second half of the course. In the same respect, the Mundell-Fleming model will be augmented by the Bernanke-Gertler effect of the open economy to end up at the third generation crisis model introduced by Krugman. Hence, students gain the knowledge on how the main building blocks can be utilized to derive insights into connected fields of study.
  • Enhancing skills in application of statistical procedures to test hypotheses generated by the theoretical models. In this process, students gain the skills to collect, process, analyze and interpret data in Excel or Stata. The students master the scientific methodologies of a univariate regression analysis, which includes hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. These regressions might be of time series or cross-section regressions type. Panel econometric techniques are not applied.
  • Students assess theoretical/practical problems and set up and justify possible solutions. For example, data sets of a one-month ahead forward rate are given on a daily basis. If these data are analyzed in the raw data format, the student will run into serious autocorrelation problems. As a consequence, the student is asked to melt down the data set to a monthly frequency.
  • Students acquire the competence to manage work and master situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solutions. This competence is practiced in 5 group assignments which should be solved in a group of 3-4 students. Group assignments train the competence to initiate and implement research activities within a professional cooperation and take on professional responsibility. The results of the weekly assignments are presented by one group of students to train the skills to present and communicate research based knowledge in a professional manner. Subsequent class discussions train the communication competencies of the group as well as their classmates.
  • In order to strengthen the competencies to independently take responsibility for own professional development and specialization a written exam is also a part of the overall grade. This will also strengthen the skills to structure economic thinking and to communicate with professionals and non-specialists in a written form.

Contents of the module:
Lecture: Case studies in international macroeconomics
Tutorial: Discussion of problems relating to models of international macroeconomics, which are content of the lecture. Presentation and discussion of the group assignments. Review of some basics of statistics and linear regression.

Teaching and learning methods:
Lecture with tutorials, self-studies

Literature (compulsory reading, recommended literature):
Obstfeld/Krugman/Melitz: International Economics, Latest Edition.

Further information:
The program LaTeX has to be used for all written papers as well as presentations.All solutions have to follow the structure of a scientific paper:
Front page, table of contents, list of figures, list of tables, list of abbreviations, variables, indices.
All equations have to be numbered consecutively.
References as usual and a list of references at the end of a paper.

Students have to follow the usual rules with respect to academic honesty. Especially, we expect that students do not use any material (Solutions from previous classes, papers written for different classes) without referencing appropriately.

Registration through Moodle.