financial markets

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, successful students should be able to:

1.Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the drivers behind globalisation;

2.Participate in informed debate about the benefits and disadvantages of globalisation;

3.Critically evaluate the appropriateness of Trade Policy in an economy;

4.Critically assess the complexity of the forces that cause volatility in foreign exchange rates;

5.Critically evaluate the foreign exchange risk faced by multinational corporations.

AIMS OF THE MODULE:

The course aims to:

enhance the understanding of the international context of economics and finance;

appreciate the factors that drive, and inhibit International Trade;

give students an understanding of International Financial markets.

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION:

A fragmented world is likely to be a poorer one.

IMF, excerpt of its World Economic Outlook, September 2024/2025.

The global economy will grow just 2.8% this year, down from its forecast in January of 3.3% … The forecasts underscore the widespread impact of both the tariffs and the uncertainty they have created.

IMF via Associated Press, April 2025

You are a senior World Bank official, and in one week you have been invited to participate in a conference at the United Nations Headquarters to discuss the consequences of U.S. protectionism on the global economy (with specific reference to the trade war with China).

Your team, consisting of two people, is already working on preparing the final version of your speech. You have clearly explained to your staff that the speech should include a detailed overview of the following points:

1.What protectionism means and its consequences in terms of consumer surplus.(20%)

2.We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries … making ourproducts, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs. … We will follow twosimple rules: Buy American and hire American.

President D. Trump

What are the main motivations politicians cite to justify protectionism? Why are these explanations considered weak and economically unscientific? (20%)

3.What are the political and economic causes of the ongoing trade war between theU.S. and China? (30%)

4.What are the likely implications of the measures adopted on the economic growth ofboth countries? (30%)

Teams are made up of 2 people: one group member is supposed to address Q1 and Q3, the other Q2 and Q4.

STRUCTURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

COVER PAGE (not included in the word count): write your Matriculation number,title of the assignment, module name, lecturers name, date

TABLE OF CONTENTS (not included in the word count)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (not included in the word count) and INTRODUCTION*

BODY OF THE ASSIGNMENT*

CONCLUSION* (not included in the word count)

BIBLIOGRAPHY PAGE (not included in the word count)

*All sources must be cited as in-text citations in Harvard style.

The online library and Study, Research & Writing Skills documents are accessiblehere.

Harvard citations for in-text and bibliography page can be generated with Citethisforme website: https://www.citethisforme.com/harvard/source-type

GRADING: Assessed Component

Weighting

Date due

Group project

10%

February 22nd 2026

Group presentation

5%

Week 6 @class time

Individual content of group report

10%

February 22nd 2026

PLS MAKE POWER POINT PRESENTATION