ECON 2302 Unit 8
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Unit 8: Global Finance

 

 

A.  Read the following selections from the Margin Notes by clicking on each link.

 

B.  Watch these presentations. When you click on one of the links below, a new screen will pop up. Use the scrollbar on the side of the new screen to navigate. You need Adobe Reader to view PDF files.

 

C.  (Optional) Read the following chapters from the textbook.

Chapters 15 - 16

 

D.  The following Optional Links will help you do better in your course but they are not required.

 

E.  Project: Working with Exchange Rates (20 points)To Do Note

For your project you'll be looking closely at the concept of exchange rates.

It's important that you read again the Exchange Rates section of your Margin Notes. You might also want to visit How Stuff Works to read an article on how exchange rates work. Once you are certain you understand the basics of exchange rates, complete all four parts of your project following the instructions below.

 

Part 1: Calculating Exchange Rates

To calculate exchange rates, begin with the equation of one currency equal to another. For example, the table below indicates that the price of 1 US Dollar, in terms of British Pounds, is 0.64 Pounds; therefore, US$1 = £0.64, and £1 = US$1.56. You can then use that information to find out other things. Use this exchange rate information from December 2014 to answer the six questions below. Number your answers to the questions.

SELECTED EXCHANGE RATES

£1  =  US$1.56

US$1  =  £0.64

British Pounds

C$=  US$0.86

US$=  C$1.16

Canadian Dollars

Egyptian Pounds

RUSSIAN RUBLE1  =  US$0.02

US$=  RUSSIAN RUBLE59.58

Russian Rubles

South African Rand1  =  US$0.09

US$1  = South African Rand11.63

South African Rands

1  =  US$1.02

US$1  =  0.98

Swiss Francs

  1. How much does it cost in US Dollars to buy one South African Rand?

  2. How much does it cost in Russian Rubles to buy one US Dollar?

  3. Suppose you wanted to buy a sculpture, and the price was 2,000 Egyptian Pounds. How much would the sculpture cost in US Dollars?

  4. Suppose you wanted to buy a watch, and the price was 50 Swiss Francs. How much would the watch cost in US Dollars?

  5. If you planned a vacation to the United Kingdom and wanted to exchange your money before you left, how many British Pounds could you get for $1,000?

  6. Why might Canadian business owners try to avoid accepting US money from customers?

 

Part 2: Interpreting Exchange Rates I

Go to the Currency Exchange Table and put in the following information.

Create table in this base currency: United States Dollars – USD

As of: January 1, 2012

Click on the blue arrow on the right.

Under XE Currency Table: USD - US Dollar, click once on Currency Name.

Scroll down until you see Brazilian Real, copy or write down the number in the USD per Unit column. (This is the amount of US dollars and cents required to purchase one Brazilian Real in 2012.)

Click Back in the toolbar.

Replace January 1, 2012 with January 1, 2014.

Click on the blue arrow on the right.

Under XE Currency Table: USD - US Dollar, click once on Currency Name.

Scroll down until you see Brazilian Real, copy or write down the number in the USD per Unit column. (This is the amount of US dollars and cents required to purchase one Brazilian Real in 2014.)

Compare the two numbers.

Answer the following 6 questions in 1-2 complete sentences each. Number your answers.

  1. Did the US Dollar appreciated (Did Brazilian currency get less expensive?) or depreciated (Did Brazilian currency get more expensive?) between 2012 and 2014?

  2. What effect would an appreciation of the US Dollar have had on the price Americans paid for imports from Brazil in 2014 compared to 2012?

  3. Would an appreciation of the US Dollar have led the US to import more or less from Brazil in 2014 compared to 2012?

  4. If the US Dollar had appreciated, would the Brazilian Real have appreciated or depreciated in value between 2012 and 2014?

  5. What effect would a depreciation of Brazilian currency have had on the price Brazilians paid for imports from the US in 2014 compared to 2012?

  6. Would a depreciation of the Brazilian currency have led Brazilians to import more or less from the US in 2014 compared to 2012?

 

Part 3: Interpreting Exchange Rates II

  1. Assume the US develops a strong international dollar. Write a paragraph or two about the strong dollar, explaining its effect and the reason for that effect on each of the following.

  1. The price of Pakistani rugs

  2. The amount of rugs imported from Pakistan

  3. US demand for the Pakistani currency, Rupees

  4. Importers' profits, such as Pier One Imports

  5. The price of US machinery to Pakistani retail firms

  6. The amount of US machinery exported to Pakistan

  7. Pakistani demand for US Dollars

  8. Exporters' profits, such as US machinery producers

  9. US balance of trade (trade deficit or trade surplus?)

  1. Assume that the US dollar depreciated in value. Write a paragraph or two about the weak dollar, explaining its effect and the reason for that effect on each of the following

  1. US imports of foreign products

  2. US exports to foreign consumers

  3. US balance of trade (trade deficit or trade surplus?)

  1. Write a paragraph or two explaining whether each of these people would prefer a strong dollar or a weak dollar and why.

  1. A farmer

  2. A line worker at an auto plant

  3. A gas station owner

  4. A banana consumer

  1. Write a paragraph or two explaining which is more beneficial for the US: a strong dollar, a weak dollar, both or neither and why.

 

Part 4: A Trip Around The World

An acceptable definition for exchange rate is the method used to calculate the value of one currency compared to another currency. We do this using the following formula.

EXCHANGE RATE FORMULA

 

 

 

Let's say, for example, we are in Australia, have spent 1,200 of the Australian currency and would like to know how much that is in US dollars, in other words what the exchange rate is between the two. We simply divide the amount we spent by the value of the foreign currency. By value of the foreign currency, we mean the value of that currency compared to 1 US dollar. In Australian currency, 1 US dollar equals 1.71 Australian dollars, or US$1 = A$1.71.

In our example, then, we divide the amount spent (A$1,200) by the value of the foreign currency (A$1.71) to find out that we've spent US$701.75 in US dollars.

To put your skills to the test, you are going to take a trip around the world. At each of your 10 stops, you will spend a specific amount of the local currency. Your challenge is to find the exchange rate for each of the amounts you spent compared to the US dollar and then calculate a total for your trip.

To accomplish that, you need three items from this page.

  1. Use the World Travel Itinerary (below) to find out what countries you visit and how much local currency you spend in each (and on what!).

  2. Use the World Travel Exchange Rates chart (below) and the formula discussed above to convert the local currency amounts to US dollars. Use only the exchange rates in this chart for this part of the project. As you know, actual exchange rates change constantly and rather than worry about when the rate you used was current, I've provided you with a list of fixed rates you must use.

  3. Use the World Travel Log (below) to record the currency name for each country you visited, the amount you spent at each stop and that same amount in US dollars for each. Once you have converted all 10 amounts into US dollars, record the total amount spent on your trip. (You can select and copy the blank travel log below and paste it into a Word doc to fill it in. If you want a hard copy of the travel log, you may use the link below to open it in a printer-friendly page.)

 

World Travel Itinerary

THREE GLOBES1ST STOP: To begin your trip you depart from the DFW Airport and head southwest to visit Mexico's ancient Aztec ruins. Calixtlahuaca near Toluca in Mexico is a well-preserved Aztec archaeological site and was once a thriving city. El Tepozteco is an ancient hilltop shrine to the Aztec deity Tepoztecatl. Teotihuacan was a holy Mesoamerican city built around 400 BC and is one of the country’s oldest archeological sites. Teotihuacan was clearly a city of significant religious importance to its inhabitants and includes looming stepped pyramids, castles - such as the Palace of Quetzalcoatl and the Palace of the Citadel - residential buildings and communal buildings. You're exhausted from exploring the ruins and reward yourself by spending 5,091.00 of Mexico's currency on local artwork. [Click on any picture below to enlarge it.]

Calixtlahuaca, Mexico

El Tepozteco, Mexico 2009

Teotihuacan, Mexico 07/2013

Calixtlahuaca

El Tepozteco

Teotihuacan

 

2ND STOP: You take off again to visit Egypt's Great Pyramid and to see Africa's longest river. You spend 4,233.00 of the currency on camel rides and at the bazaars.

The Pyramids of Giza

The Nile River

A Camel

Egyptian bazaar

The Pyramids of Giza

The Nile River

A Tired Camel

Egyptian bazaar

 

3RD STOP: Off again, you fly to Germany to see a Mercedes Benz factory and the site of the 1972 summer Olympics, spending 1,572.00 of the local currency on beer and bratwurst.

Mercedes Benz, Munich, Germany

Olympiapark, Munich, Germany, site of the 1972 Summer Olympics 08/2013

Biergärten Viktualienmarkt, Munich, Germany

Mercedes Benz, Munich

Olympiapark,

site of the 1972 Summer Olympics

Biergärten Viktualienmarkt, Munich

 

4TH STOP:  On a whim, you visit Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, a mountainous country in the South Caucasus mountains. Legend says Armenia was established here in the Ararat region, on which Noah's Ark is said to have come to rest after the flood, by the great-great-grandson of Noah. While in Armenia, you visit the Etchmiadzin Cathedral (Armenia's Mother Church, traditionally dated 303 AD, is considered the oldest cathedral in the world.) and Khor Virap, an ancient monastery and the perfect place to observe Mount Ararat. Before you leave the country, you spend a full day at Yerevan Vernissage (the arts and crafts market), looking at woodcarvings, antiques, fine lace, hand-knotted wool carpets, obsidian jewelry and ornamental objects, locally-created gold items. and Soviet relics. Before heading for the Zvartnots International Airport, you spend 3,103.00 of Armenia's currency at the Yerevan market.

Yerevan, Armenia 09/2013

Etchmiadzin Cathedral 10/2002

Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia with Mount Ararat in the Background 07/2007

Yerevan Vernissage (arts and crafts market) 09/2010

Map of Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan, Armenia

Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Khor Virap Monastery,

with Mount Ararat in the background

Yerevan Vernissage (arts and crafts market)

Map showing Yerevan, Armenia

 

5TH STOP: Despite the US State Department's travel warnings, you decide to make a quick trip to Iraq to see just how bad things are. You make it as far as Mosul and then spend 500.00 of Iraq's currency trying to get back out again.

Map showing Mosul, Iraq

Northern Iraq 04/2008

Northern Iraq refugee camp 11/2014

Mosul Iraq

Mosul Iraq Airport 12/2010

Map showing

Mosul, Iraq

Northern Iraq

Northern Iraq refugee camp

Mosul

Mosul Airport

 

6TH STOP: From Iraq, you travel to see the Bridge of Continents, in the country that covers two continents. You also visit the city built by Constantine I. There is so much interesting local art and handcraft that you can't decide what to buy and spend 500.00 of Turkey's currency.

Istanbul, Turkey

Bridge of Continents, Istanbul, Turkey

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey 06/2013

Istanbul, Turkey

Bridge of Continents

Grand Bazaar

 

7TH STOP: With the Cold War ended, it seems safe to visit the Kremlin and Lenin’s tomb. You spend 20,338.00 of Russia's currency on vodka and caviar.

Moscow, Russia

The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia 07/2012

Lenin's Tomb, Moscow, Russia

A Russian vodka bar for vodka & caviar

Moscow, Russia

The Kremlin

Lenin's Tomb

A Russian vodka bar

 

8TH STOP: You wouldn't think of going around the world without seeing China's Forbidden City, Grand Canal and the many rice fields in the countryside. All of that travel costs you 1,733.00 of China's currency.

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is located in the center of Beijing, China.

Starting at Beijing and linking the Yellow River and Yangtze River, the Grand Canal is the longest canal or artificial river in the world (1,104 miles).

Chinese rice fields

The Forbidden City, Beijing

The Grand Canal

links the

Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.

Chinese countryside, rice fields

 

9TH STOP: Before heading back to the States you can't resist visiting the sites of so many battles fought by a past generation. You spend 500,000.00 of Vietnam's currency traveling throughout the country.

The Citadel, Hue, Vietnam  12/2011

Tunnel area at Long Phuoc, Vietnam 04/2013

Da Nang, Vietnam 12/2014

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 11/2013

Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vietnam

The Rockpile (Thon Khe Tri) Vietnam

The Citadel, Hue

Tunnel area at

Long Phuoc

Da Nang

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh Trail

The Rockpile

(Thon Khe Tri)

 

10TH STOP: On your way home, you decide to stop in our 50th state for some rest and relaxation at a resort hotel. The resort is too expensive to stay very long, though, and after you spend 2,515.00 of Hawaii's currency you head for DFW again, hoping you'll have enough room in your car to haul all of your purchases from the airport to your home.

Honolulu Hawaii

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

Honolulu

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

 

 

World Travel Exchange Rates

as of December 2015

Country

Currency

Value Equal to 1 US Dollar

(rounded)

Angola

kwanza

158.83

Armenia

dram

489.12

Australia

Australian dollar

1.33

Canada

Canadian dollar

1.33

China

renminbi

6.51

Egypt

Egyptian pound

8.95

Falkland Islands

Falkland Island pound

0.70

Germany

euro

0.90

Guatemala

quetzal

7.72

Iceland

krona

126.20

India

rupee

67.19

Iraq

Iraqi dinar

1,106.37

Israel

shekel

3.89

Japan

yen

113.46

Kenya

shilling

101.45

Kuwait

Kuwaiti dinar

0.30

Malaysia

ringgit

4.12

Mexico

peso

17.79

New Zealand

New Zealand dollar

1.50

Norway

krone

8.48

Russia

ruble

69.96

Saudi Arabia

riyal

3.75

Singapore

Singapore dollar

1.38

South Korea

won

1,190.46

Thailand

baht

32.88

Turkey

lira

2.87

United States

US dollar

1.00

Vietnam

dong

22,425.00

 

World Travel Log

Countries You Visit

Name of Country's Currency

Amount Spent In Country Currency

Value Equal to 1 US Dollar

(rounded)

Amount Spent In US Dollars

Mexico

 

 

 

 

Egypt

 

 

 

 

Germany

 

 

 

 

Armenia

 

 

 

 

Iraq

 

 

 

 

Turkey

 

 

 

 

Russia

 

 

 

 

China

 

 

 

 

Vietnam

 

 

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

 

 

Total Amount in US$ Spent On the Trip

 

World Travel Log [printer-friendly page]

 

Project Submission Instructions

Once you have completed all four parts of your project, you should have the following things ready to submit. Check your work and make certain you aren't missing anything.

Part 1 – 6 numbered answers

Part 2 – 6 numbered answers in complete sentences

Part 3 – 4-8 paragraphs discussing the 4 topics given

Part 4 – completed World Travel Log

By the deadline shown in the Course Schedule on the main page of your syllabus:
  • Send, in order, all 4 parts of your work containing the components requested in the body of one new email to dramyglenn@gmail.com.

  • Put only your name and Project at the beginning of your email.

  • Be careful to use the correct subject line.

  • Late projects will lose one point per day late, including weekends and holidays.

A NOTE OF CAUTION: This is a 20-point assignment ... the detail and comprehensiveness of your response should reflect that additional weight.

Proofread your work for spelling and grammar errors and make corrections where necessary.

 


 

 

 

Course EvaluationTo Do Note

While the benefit you gain from your courses is ultimately up to you, all faculty members take seriously the responsibility for facilitating student learning. Faculty members desire students’ honest opinions to help improve instruction and to help verify the positive aspects of instruction. Creating online courses is extremely labor-intensive and time-consuming and all online faculty members value thoughtful feedback.

I’ve modified a short face-to-face student evaluation for online student use and strongly encourage you to participate. The answers from each completed evaluation are electronically submitted to a results file that is never publically accessible. Because no login is required to complete the evaluation, it is impossible to identify who completed a specific evaluation. The only information associated with an individual evaluation (as a method of weeding out bogus evaluations) is the date and time it was submitted.

To begin, go to the Student Course Evaluation page and follow the directions. Take care to choose the correct course and semester. Too, remember that your course is an online course and should be compared to other online courses you've taken, not to face-to-face courses. If the course you are evaluating is your first online course, compare it to your realistic expectations of an online course.

The evaluation will be available at the link above two weeks prior to your final exam and will remain available for one week following your final.  The evaluation only takes about 10 minutes to complete but the feedback you provide will be invaluable … I really do use student feedback to help improve my courses!

 


 

 

 

Final Exam (20 points)To Do Note

The final exam has 40 multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth one-half point. There is a comprehensive review for the final on the Final Exam Review page, linked off of the main page of the syllabus.

The final exam is an online exam.  You must read the instructions for the final exam before taking it. The instructions are on the main page of your syllabus just below the Course Schedule.

Please note that students taking the final exam online must complete the exam by the deadline shown in the Course Schedule on the main page of the syllabus. The deadline gives you the maximum possible amount of time to take the exam but it allows NO margin of error since grades are due. If you miss that deadline, regardless of the reason, you will not be able to take a make-up exam. I strongly encourage you to take it early rather than risking damage to your grade by waiting until the last minute.

 


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Copyright © 1996 Amy S Glenn
Last updated:   02/14/2018   0130

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