International and European Economics

General

Course Contents

  1. Theories of international trade.
  2. The modern economic environment, Globalization.
  3. The international economic crisis and the crisis in the EU and in Greece.
  4. Controversial international problems: poverty, environment, oil, immigration.
  5. The Financial Conclusions.
  6. International transactions (trade, investments).
  7. The international and European monetary system.
  8. The International Economic Organizations.
  9. The European Union, treaties, institutions, budget and structural funds.
  10. Community policies, Constitutional Treaty.
  11. The Balkan economies in transition.
  12. The role of Greece in the Balkans and Greek investments in the Balkans.
  13. Developing and emerging economies.

Educational Goals

The general aim of the course is understanding and knowledge of the international economic environment, trends and organizations that influence it, modern developments in the EU. and in the Balkan region, as well as Greece’s position in the European, Balkan and international environment.

In particular, through lectures and the case studies, the aim is for the students to get to know and analyze the Greek economic and business reality, in the context of the international economic environment and in particular that of the European Union and the Balkan countries in transition.

Also, to be able to use the knowledge and understanding of the issues of the international, European and Balkan economic environment during professional engagement in extroverted organizations and companies and have the ability to develop and support arguments to solve problems related to the international economic and business environment.

Finally, to have the ability to gather, analyze and interpret reports, studies and quantitative data on the international economic environment and form judgments on relevant economic and scientific issues, as well as be able to present and support data, ideas , problems and solutions to specialized and non-specialized audiences.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Know the modern economic environment in the era of globalization, its content and trends.
  • Know the functions of EU institutions and policies, especially those related to business and competition.
  • Understand the characteristics of developing economies.
  • Aanalyze and interpret international trade, investment and monetary relations and in particular as it relates to foreign trade, foreign exchange and foreign investment.
  • Interpret the developments in the Balkans and Greece’s role in them and especially foreign trade and investments.
  • Evaluate and compose reports and analyses that refer to issues of international and especially European and Balkan business cooperation.
  • Acquire the necessary skills to support the outward orientation of organizations and businesses in general and especially in the Balkan countries.
  • Develop the necessary knowledge acquisition skills, in matters of the international economic environment, for further studies at postgraduate level.

General Skills

  • Working independently.
  • Team Work.
  • Working in an international environment.
  • Decision making.
  • Production of free, creative and inductive thinking.

Teaching Methods

  • In the classroom, face to face.

Use of ICT means

  • Basic software (windows, word, power point, the web, etc.).
  • Support of learning process through the electronic platform / e-class.

Teaching Organization

ActivitySemester workload
Lectures26
Practice works13
Assignment (Essay writing)20
Independent Study66
Total125

Students Evaluation

Written final exams (60%) that may include:

  • Judgemental questions.
  • Short answer questions.
  • Comparative evaluation of theory elements.

In each question, corresponding evaluation points are specified.
Optional assignment (Essay writing and presentation) corresponds to 40% of the final grade.

Recommended Bibliography

  1. Μαγούλιος Γιώργος, Προσεγγίσεις σε θέματα της Διεθνούς και Ευρωπαϊκής Οικονομικής Συνεργασίας, Εκδ. Β΄ Δ. Σφακιανάκη, Θεσσαλονίκη 2006.
  2. Ι. Χατζηδημητρίου, Διεθνείς Επιχειρηματικές Δραστηριότητες, εκδ. ΑΝΙΚΟΥΛΑ, 2003.

Related Research Journals

  1. Journal of Business and Economics.
  2. South Eastern Europe Journal of Economics.