About this Course

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This MOOC prepares students that want to analyse trade and investment policies of developing countries and emerging markets.  We couch you for the task of giving evidence-based policy. For students interested in policy advise the course brings a sound understanding of what can and what cannot be done with well-established theories and state-of-the-art research. For students interested in research the asset of this course is to learn how to effectively communicate research findings in a policy setting.
Upon completion, you will have a good understanding of international trade and investment theories and recent developments in the world economy and their consequence on issues related to developing countries and emerging markets. You will be able to analyse the determinants of trade and investment, to measure the impact of trade and investment and to provide evidence-based policy advice that fits development strategies in emerging markets and developing economies.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Intermediate Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Trading
Investment
Market (Economics)

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

Theories of globalization, trade and investment

After the first week (5 video lectures), you will understand key concepts and theories of international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) and describe recent trends in the world economy. With the debate over (de)globalization and development as our starting point, we analyze how (changes in) the economic context drive the formulation of new trade theories. We will discuss both mainstream and a selection of heterodox approaches. We explore concepts and theories related to FDI, provide an overview of FDI effects for host countries and discuss theories explaining investment activities across national boundaries.

4 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 51 min), 7 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Globalization and development8mHow globalization shaped economic theory 9mModern trade theories9mUnderstanding Foreign Direct Investment10mFDI and Development12m

7 readings

Measuring Openness10mProductivity: development, competition, and measurement10mSuggestions for further reading30mSuggestions for further reading30mAppendix A2: Essays on intra-industry spillovers from FDI in developing countries: A firm-level analysis with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa30mChapter 1: Essays on intra-industry spillovers from FDI in developing countries: A firm-level analysis with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa30mChapter 7: Essays on intra-industry spillovers from FDI in developing countries: A firm-level analysis with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa30m

1 practice exercise

Practice quiz week 115m

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Trade and investment policies

After the second week (4 video lectures) you will be able to identify national policies aimed at either stimulating or restricting international trade and investment. We discuss policies and instruments against the background of recent developments and provide context to the importance of negotiations and treaties that deal with policy instruments. You will be able to analyse where the use of bilateral economic diplomacy in state-to-state relationships can help to assist domestic companies as encounter difficulties abroad and where the contribution of economic diplomats is limited

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 36 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Micro: Trade and productivity

After the third block (3 video lectures) you will understand the nature of internationalization, heterogeneity, and development from a micro-economic perspective. We will discuss productivity development of firms and their decision to export and import and deal with access to detailed and reliable micro-economic data sets. You will understand the microeconomic underpinnings of globalization and productivity and the process of measuring productivity development and firm heterogeneity. You will also be able to evaluate the relationship between productivity and international trade and FDI and understand the relevance of heterogeneity across firms and their productivity development and interpret their results.

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 36 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Macro: Analytical tools and modelling

After the fourth block (4 video lectures) you will understand analytical tools and gravity modelling dealing with evaluation of trade and/or investment policies. The Block starts with Balassa’s index of revealed comparative advantage, the Herfindahl Hirschman concentration index, and the Grubel Lloyd index that measures intra-industry trade. You will be able to apply these indicators and relate them to real-world trade issues. Next, we discuss the historical development of the gravity model, which was originally developed in the Netherlands. Finally, you will be able to evaluate challenges and propose solutions to obtain reliable estimates of gravity modelling. Building on solutions proposed to avoid empirical gravity estimation biases, you will experience and experiment with evaluations of trade policies, dealing with time and cost of border documentation and processing for exporting and importing.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 42 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

Analytical tools and concepts 8mGravity model: history and recent developments11mGravity Estimation: challenges and solutions9mEstimation of trade policy analysis with gravity12m

4 readings

A practical guide to trade policy analysis45mA short history of gravity15mAn advanced guide to trade policy analysis: The structural gravity model45mFrom EAC-6 to EAC 7: potentials and pitfalls of the enlargement of the East African Community45m

1 practice exercise

Practice quiz week 410m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Trade & investment: evidence-based policies for development