This course provides an introduction to international trade theory and policy. The focus of the course is on economic theory: emphasis is placed on developing analytic tools and applying them to shed light on relevant issues in international trade. The course will cover topics such as the case for free trade under perfect and imperfect competition, the determinants of international trade flows, winners and losers from trade, the impact of various trade policy instruments. Assessment: Students will take an exam on the material. An informal requirement will be class participation: sharing questions and comments with the rest of the class.
Lecturer: Michele Ruta is an economist in the Economic Research Division of the WTO. He received a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University in 2004 and has been a Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence between 2004 and 2007. Dr. Ruta received a Marie Curie Fellowship from the European Commission and had visiting positions at Yale University, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Italy. He specializes in international economics and political economy and his research focuses on issues related to European integration, the world trading system, global governance and immigration. Contacts: Michele Ruta, Economic Research Division, World Trade Organization, Rue de Lausanne 154, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland (e-mail:
, webpage: http://www.eui.eu/Personal/Fellows/MicheleRuta/Welcome.htm).
Cost: CHF 1’750 (CHF 2’700 together with International Trade II)
Master Programme (MILE) 
