ITF 428 | Course Introduction and Application Information - Department of International Trade and Finance

Course Name

Special Topics in Foreign Trade

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
ITF 428	Fall/Spring	3	0	3	5

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	Elective
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	-
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	Discussion Group Work Problem Solving Case Study Q&A Field trip / Observation Lecture / Presentation
National Occupation Classification	-
Course Coordinator	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Birce Dobrucalı
Course Lecturer(s)	Öğr.Gör.Dr. HALİL ATİLLA SİVRİKAYA
Assistant(s)	Arş.Gör. MERT SAĞSÖZ

Course Objectives	This course will help students develop their knowledge of international business environments and develop skills to analyze strategies of multinational firms in the global economy.
Learning Outcomes	The students who succeeded in this course; Analyze major developments and transformations in global trade and business environments Evaluate the effects of trade policies, geopolitical developments, and economic diplomacy on international business. Assess market opportunities and country risks in selected international markets Apply economic intelligence techniques to the collection and evaluation of trade and market information. Compare market-access conditions, trade agreements, and investment environments relevant to international trade. Develop an evidence-based market-entry recommendation for a company operating in Trade areas Present trade and market-entry findings and recommendations effectively in a professional group setting
Course Description	This course examines contemporary issues in international trade and global business, with emphasis on trade policy, geopolitics, MENA markets, country risk, economic intelligence, Türkiye's foreign trade policy, free zones, investment, trade agreements, economic diplomacy, e-export, and emerging developments in global trade. The course combines theoretical analysis with case studies, institutional reports, economic intelligence exercises, field-based learning, and a group market-entry project.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses
	Supportive Courses	X
	Media and Management Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

Week	Subjects	Related Preparation
1	Introduction to Foreign Trade and Global Business	Krugman, P. R., Obstfeld, M., & Melitz, M. J. (2018). International Economics: Theory and Policy (11th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 1: “The World Economy.” ISBN 9780134520636.
2	Global Trade: Trends and Transformation	World Trade Organization (2025). World Trade Report 2025: Making Trade and AI Work Together to The Benefit of All. Executive Summary and Introduction.
3	Trade Policy and Geopolitics	European Commission, Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs & Directorate-General for Trade (2023). Global Trade Fragmentation: An EU Perspective, Executive Summary
4	International Markets: Opportunities and Risks	World Bank (2025). Global Economic Prospects, Introduction and Overview of Findings.
5	Market Entry and Country Risk Analysis	U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration. Assess Country Risk, sections “Country Factors to Research” and “Resources and Assistance.”
6	Economic Intelligence for Exporters	Heuer, R. J., Jr., & Pherson, R. H. (2019). Structured Analytic Techniques for Intelligence Analysis (3rd ed.). CQ Press/SAGE. Chapter 1: “The Nature of Analysis.” The third edition presents structured techniques for intelligence and business analysis.
7	Project Workshop: Company, Product and Market Selection	International Trade Centre (ITC). Trade Map: Trade Statistics for International Business Development — Students review the Trade Map methodology and identify potential markets for their selected product.
8	Midterm
9	Türkiye's Foreign Trade Policy and Export Supports	Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade. Export, sections on Export Regime and Inward Processing Regime. https://ticaret.gov.tr/
10	Free Zones, Investment and Regional Development	Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade. Free Zones – General Introduction, including the objectives, advantages, and institutional structure of Türkiye's free zones. https://ticaret.gov.tr/
11	Field Visit: İzmir Free Zone Directorate	Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade. İzmir Free Zone institutional information and statistics. Students review the institutional material before the field visit. https://www.izbas.net/tr/.
12	Trade Agreements and Economic Diplomacy	World Trade Organization. Regional Trade Agreements: An Introduction, sections “Regional Trade Agreements and the WTO” and “WTO Rules on RTAs.”
13	Re-globalization, E-Export and the Future of Trade	UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (2024). Digital Economy Report 2024: Shaping an Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Future, Chapter V: “E-commerce and Environmental Sustainability.”
14	Presentations	-
15	Presentations
16	Final Exam

Course Notes/Textbooks

Krugman, P. R., Obstfeld, M., & Melitz, M. J. (2018). International Economics: Theory and Policy (11th ed.). Pearson. ISBN: 9780134520636.

Pherson, R. H., & Heuer, R. J., Jr. (2019). Structured Analytic Techniques for Intelligence Analysis (3rd ed.). CQ Press/SAGE.

Suggested Readings/Materials

Baldwin, R. (2016). The Great Convergence: Information Technology and the New Globalization. Harvard University Press. ISBN: 9780674660489.

Friedman, G. (2009). The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century. Doubleday. ISBN: 9780385517058.

World Trade Organization (WTO), World Trade Report series.

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Trade and Development Report series.

International Monetary Fund (IMF), Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia.

World Bank, Middle East and North Africa Economic Update series.

International Trade Centre (ITC), Trade Map and Market Access Map.

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade, export legislation, export support programs, trade information resources, and free-zone publications.

Semester Activities	Number	Weigthing
Participation	1	10
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	-
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury	1	15
Project	1	20
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm	1	25
Final Exam	1	30
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade	4	70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade	1	30
Total

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours)	16	3	48
Laboratory / Application Hours	16		0
Study Hours Out of Class	14	2	28
Field Work			0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	-		0
Portfolio			0
Homework / Assignments			0
Presentation / Jury	1	15	15
Project	1	20	20
Seminar / Workshop			0
Oral Exam			0
Midterms	1	15	15
Final Exam	1	20	20
		Total	146

#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To be able to identify and analyze problems in the field of trade and finance, and to develop solutions.	-	-	X	-	-
2	To be able to apply theoretical and practical knowledge of international trade and finance to real-world professional contexts.	-	X	-	-	-
3	To be able to critically analyze global market developments and evaluate their implications for business and policy.	-	-	X	-	-
4	To be able to collect, analyze, and interpret financial and economic data by using digital and information technologies effectively.	-	-	-	-	-
5	To be able to understand and interpret legal frameworks, regulations and practices relevant to international trade and finance.	-	X	-	-	-
6	To be able to anticipate, define, and manage financial and trade-related risks through informed decision-making.	-	X	-	-	-
7	To be able to acquire and use verbal, written, and numerical skills effectively for the nature of international trade and finance program.	-	-	-	-	-
8	To be able to obtain, synthesize, and report trade- and finance-related information clearly and effectively.	-	-	-	-	-
9	To be able to contribute effectively as individuals, team members, and leaders in multidisciplinary environments.	-	-	-	-	-
10	To be able to evaluate trade and finance issues from ethical, social, and sustainability perspectives.	-	-	-	-	-
11	To be able to collect data in the areas of International Trade and Finance and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1).	-	-	-	-	-
12	To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.	-	-	-	-	-
13	To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout human history to their field of expertise.	-	-	-	-	-