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International Economics

A Comprehensive Economics Course

Brad Cartwright

Hi, I'm Brad and I’m thrilled you are interested in joining me for this International Economics course—the perfect place to explore how global trade and business shape our lives.

Economics isn’t just about numbers or theories; it’s about people, decisions, and the interconnected world we all share.

This course includes 35+ video lessons and downloadable notes that cover:

Read more

Hi, I'm Brad and I’m thrilled you are interested in joining me for this International Economics course—the perfect place to explore how global trade and business shape our lives.

Economics isn’t just about numbers or theories; it’s about people, decisions, and the interconnected world we all share.

This course includes 35+ video lessons and downloadable notes that cover:

  • Introduction to International Economics

  • The Benefits and Drawbacks of Global Free Trade

  • Protectionism: Tariffs, Subsidies, and Quotas Explained

  • Floating and Fixed Exchange Rate Systems

  • The Relationship Between Exchange Rates and International Trade

  • Balance of Payments: How International Trade is Accounted For

  • Economic Integration and Trading Blocs

And, of course, a love for Economics that I hope is contagious.

I teach Economics because it fascinates me. It’s the study of human behavior—how we make choices, interact, and respond in an economic setting. But it’s also so much more than that. Economics provides the tools to better understand global politics, cultural dynamics, and the tensions shaping our world today.

This course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and insights to think critically about international trade, its impact on your daily life, and its influence on the global economy.

A Weekly Bonus

As part of this course, you’ll receive a subscription to my weekly newsletter, Just One Thing. Each Monday, you’ll get a two-minute breakdown of one essential economic concept, delivered straight to your inbox. It’s a quick and stress-free way to expand your understanding of economics, one idea at a time.

I’ve been lucky to see the world through a unique lens—as a former Peace Corps Volunteer, a graduate of Duke University, and someone who has traveled to over 55 countries. These experiences deeply influence how I teach economics, with real-world examples, a global perspective, and a passion for making these concepts relatable to everyone.

Economics is more than charts and data—it’s about people, stories, and understanding the world we live in.

I’m excited to be a part of the learning journey with you through International Economics.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • A love of international economics that i hope is contagious!
  • A thorough understanding of the main principles of international economics!
  • A thorough understanding global business practices!
  • A thorough understanding international trade!
  • A thorough understanding the impact of protective tariffs!
  • A thorough understanding the impact of exchange rates on international trade!
  • A better understanding of global politics - as economics is the backbone of all political thought!

Syllabus

Lesson 4: The Floating Exchange Rate System
Lesson 5: Impact of an Increase in Demand of a Currency (Floating Exchange Rate
Unit 1: International Economics and Free Trade
Read more
Welcome to International Economics! Introduction and Overview of Course
Lesson 1: Introduction to Gains From Free Trade
Lesson 2: Comparative Advantage Theory
Lesson 3: The World Trade Organization (WTO)
Unit 2: Free Trade and Protectionism
Lesson 1: Introduction to Free Trade and Protectionism
Lesson 2: Arguments for Protectionism
Lesson 3: Arguments For Free Trade (Against Protectionism)
Lesson 4: The Free Trade Diagram
Lesson 5: The Protectionist Tariff Diagram
Lesson 6: The Protectionist Subsidy Diagram
Lesson 7: The Protectionist Quota Diagram
Lesson 8: Administrative Barriers to Free Trade
Unit 3: Exchange Rates
Lesson 1: Introduction to Exchange Rates
Lesson 2: The Exchange Rate Diagram
Lesson 3: The Fixed Exchange Rate System
Lesson 6: Impact of an Increase in Supply of a Currency (Floating Exchange Rate
Lesson 7: Managed Exchange Rates
Lesson 8: Strong Exchange Rate
Lesson 9: Weak Exchange Rate
Closing Remarks: Exchange Rates
Unit 4: Balance of Payments
Lesson 1: Introduction to Balance of Payments
Lesson 2: A Visual Understanding of Before You Begin
Lesson 3: The Current Account
Lesson 4: The Financial Account
Lesson 5: The Reserve Assets
Lesson 6: Relationship Between the Balance of Payments and the Exchange Rate
Lesson 7: Recap: A Visual Understanding of Balance of Payments
Closing Remarks: Balance of Payments
Unit 5: Economic Integration
Lesson 1: Introduction to Economic Integration
Lesson 2: Six Stages of Economic Integration
Closing Remarks: Economic Integration
Congratulations! Closing Thoughts on International Economics

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in International Economics: A Comprehensive Economics Course with these activities:
Review Microeconomics Principles
Solidify your understanding of fundamental microeconomic principles, which are essential for grasping international trade dynamics and the impact of policies.
Browse courses on Supply and Demand
Show steps
  • Review key concepts like supply, demand, and elasticity.
  • Work through practice problems related to market equilibrium.
  • Summarize the main principles of microeconomics.
Read 'Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration'
Explore the economic implications of immigration policies, a crucial aspect of international economics often debated and analyzed.
View Open Borders on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the economic arguments presented.
  • Summarize the key findings and arguments.
  • Reflect on how these arguments relate to the course material.
Write a blog post on a current trade war
Apply your knowledge of international trade and protectionism by analyzing a real-world trade conflict and its economic consequences.
Show steps
  • Choose a current or recent trade war to analyze.
  • Research the causes, impacts, and key players involved.
  • Write a blog post summarizing your findings and offering your analysis.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Read 'Global Economics' by Paul Krugman
Deepen your understanding of international economics with a widely respected textbook that covers key theories and models.
View International Finance: Theory and Policy,... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read selected chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Take notes on key concepts and models.
  • Work through the end-of-chapter problems.
Create a presentation on exchange rate manipulation
Investigate the strategies and consequences of exchange rate manipulation by different countries, enhancing your understanding of currency markets.
Show steps
  • Research different methods of exchange rate manipulation.
  • Analyze the economic effects of these manipulations.
  • Prepare a presentation summarizing your findings.
Analyze the impact of a trade agreement
Apply your knowledge to a comprehensive analysis of a specific trade agreement, evaluating its effects on participating countries.
Show steps
  • Choose a trade agreement (e.g., NAFTA, USMCA, EU).
  • Gather data on trade flows, investment, and economic growth.
  • Analyze the impact of the agreement using economic models.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings and conclusions.

Career center

Learners who complete International Economics: A Comprehensive Economics Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in International Economics: A Comprehensive Economics Course.
Cover image
International Finance: Theory and Policy, Global...
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Standard textbook used in many undergraduate and graduate international economics courses. It covers trade theory, trade policy, exchange rates, and open-economy macroeconomics in depth. It would be a valuable resource for students seeking a more rigorous and comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in the course.
International Finance: Theory and Policy, Global...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Open Borders
Save
Provides a comprehensive look at the economic and ethical arguments for open borders. It uses economic theory and data to analyze the potential impacts of immigration on wages, employment, and public services. It valuable resource for understanding the complex issues surrounding international labor flows and trade policies. This book adds depth to the course by exploring the often-controversial topic of immigration through an economic lens.
Open Borders
Paperback
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Open Borders
Kindle Edition
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