Course Lecturer Name(s): Mr. Curlan Gilchrist/Dr. Lucy Eugene
Course Director Name: Mr. Curlan Gilchrist
Course Lecturer(s) Contact Information: cgilchrist@sgu.edu/leugene@sgu.edu
Course Lecturer(s) Office Hours: Mon/Wed 9:00 am – 10:00 am ( by appointment)
Course Director Office Hours: N/A
Course Lecturer(s) Office Location: Zoom meeting
Course Director Office Location: Zoom Meeting
Course Management tool: To learn to use Sakai, the Course management tool, access the link https://apps.sgu.edu/members.nsf/mycoursesintro.pdf
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide students with a general introduction to the principal multilateral organization responsible for the regulation of international trade, namely the World Trade Organization (WTO). Through an examination of the rules, principles and functioning of the WTO and other regional trade agreements, students will be given an opportunity to assess the role/relevance of trade agreements and negotiations, as part of a broader business development strategy.
In addition to the core obligations, students will be introduced to the rules/principles and policy considerations governing trade in goods and services, including non-discrimination, preferential treatment, regional agreements, sanitary and phyto- sanitary measures, permitted exceptions (for policy objectives) and the dispute settlement process. Students will also be introduced to the main regional trading arrangements such as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the Caribbean-Canada (CARIBCAN) and the USA’s Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) trade agreements.
Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course are to enable students to:
- describe the linkages between trade policy and business operations and opportunities.
- display an understanding of the terminologies, mechanisms and financing challenges to export.
- critically consider the implications of the WTO and other regional trading arrangements for market and products/services expansion in developing countries.
- deepen their planning and innovation skills and.
- become familiar with the negotiating process and gain an appreciation of the need for business advocacy.
Student Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this course, students should be able to:
- identify, outline and assess the main rules and principles of the world trading system.
- explain the relevance of WTO-compatibility for regional/preferential trade agreements and business advocacy.
- evaluate the extent to which the system is representative of the interests of developing countries, including those of the CARICOM.
- assess the complexities and costs associated with standards (especially those associated with food and safety issues) and technical requirements for export expansion.
- identify and assess the market opportunities and challenges presented by the stated agreements, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Caribbean region.
- assess the relevance of newly emerging issues such as the environment, and their possible implications for the business and.
- evaluate the benefits and challenges of participating in the WTO dispute settlement process.
Program Outcomes Met By This Course:
N/A
SAS Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned as follows:
A = 89.5% or better
B+ = 84.5 - 89.4%
B = 79.5 - 84.4%
C+ = 74.5 - 79.4%
C = 69.5 - 74.4%
D = 64.5 - 69.4%
F = 64.4% or less
Course Materials:
Prescribed Text
Mitsuo Matsushita et al The World Trade Organization: Law, Practice and Policy
Relevant reading material will be provided in class and where appropriate, additional reference materials will be placed in the library. Students will be advised accordingly.
Course Grading Requirement:
- Class Participation (attendance and contribution): 5%
- Individual Presentation: 10%
- Group Assignment (Written): 20%
- Group Presentation (In class): 15%
- Mid-semester exam: 20%
- Final Exam: 30%
- TOTAL: 100%
Course Requirements:
Students will be required to:
- be prepared for class by doing the necessary readings.
- contribute thoughtful ideas to class discussions and engage in constructive debate.
- conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, including being respectful of the opinions of others.
- listen carefully to instructions given and by if you do not understand, ask the instructor and.
- students should bring the text or copies of the relevant chapters to class at all times, unless instructed otherwise – or all other materials, as directed.
It is also a requirement that students display an awareness of current issues in international trade. It is therefore the student’s responsibility to keep abreast of news which relate to international trade – in the general newspapers, business/trade magazines and other media.
Course Schedule:
|
International Law and Trade Policy |
|
Chapter One |
|
Market Access/Core Principles |
|
Chapters 6 – 8 |
|
Services |
|
Chapter 16 |
|
Developing Countries (Special and Differential Treatment) |
|
Chapter 19 |
|
Regional Trade Agreements |
|
Chapter 14 |
|
Safeguards and Anti-dumping |
|
Chapter 12 |
| Sanitary, Phytosanitary and Technical Regulations | Chapter 13 | |
| Exceptions (Environment) | Chapter 20 |
School of Arts and Sciences Master Syllabi — Info for All Sections
Academic Integrity
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“Plagiarism is regarded as a cardinal offense in academia because it constitutes theft of the work of someone else, which is then purported as the original work of the plagiarist. Plagiarism draws into disrepute the credibility of the Institution, its faculty, and students; therefore, it is not tolerated” (p. 48).
Plagiarism also includes the unintentional copying or false accreditation of work, so double check your assignments BEFORE you hand them in.
Be sure to do good, honest work, credit your sources and reference accordingly and adhere to the University’s Honor Code. Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with very seriously following the university’s policies on Plagiarism as outlined in the Student Manual.
Your work may be subject to submission to plagiarism detection software, submission to this system means that your work automatically becomes part of that database and can be compared with the work of your classmates.
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“Students are expected to attend all classes and or clinical rotations for which they have registered. Although attendance may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance may be taken randomly. Students’ absence may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy. If absence from individual classes, examinations, and activities, or from the University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed. A particular course may define additional policies regarding specific attendance or participation” (p. 9).
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“All matriculated students are expected to attend all assigned academic activities for each course currently registered. Medical excuses will be based on self-reporting by students. Students who feel they are too sick to take an examination or other required activity on a specific day must submit the online SAS medical excuse, which is available on Carenage. Students are only allowed two such excuses a year. Upon consultation with the Director of University Health Service, the third excuse will result in a mandatory medical leave of absence. The policies regarding make-up examinations are at the option of the Course Director” (p.46).
For additional specific examination policies and procedures, refer to the St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020), pages 31 through 37.
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“A student with a disability or disabling condition that affects one or more major life activities, who would like to request an accommodation, must submit a completed application form and supporting documentation to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) located in the Dean of Students Office. It is highly recommended that students applying for accommodations do so at least one month before classes begin to allow for a more efficient and timely consideration of the request. If a fully completed application is not submitted in a timely fashion, an eligibility determination may not be made, and accommodations, where applicable, may not be granted prior to the commencement of classes and/or examinations” (p. 8).
It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and procedures that while they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus. These are contained in the St. George’s University Student Manual.