The United States has a comparative advantage over China on the production of specialized and capital-intensive labor. It also has a comparative advantage in the production of services, such as travel and tourism.
For this discussion, first play these simulation games in the MindTap environment:
- Comparative Advantage (Without Trade)
- Comparative Advantage (With Trade)
In your initial post, share your experience playing the games, and include an image of one of your simulation reports. (See Module Two Simulation Discussion Screenshot Instructions.) Then address the following:
- Countries trade goods just like the food trucks do in the simulation. Did the food trucks benefit from specialization and trade? How can the United States benefit from specialization and trade? Provide examples from the textbook.
- Research and share a current news article on international trade that supports the argument economists make in favor of free trade agreements (FTAs). In what ways is the article supportive of FTAs?
In your responses, comment on at least two of your peers posts. Critique the arguments made in each peers article by weighing the costs of FTAs against the benefits. Support your position with sources from the news or the textbook.
To access your simulations, click the simulation link found in the module.
To complete this assignment, review the Module Two Simulation Discussion Guidelines and Rubric.
Overview
Your active participation in the discussions is essential to your overall success this term. The simulation discussions in this course allow you to share your experiences playing simulation games related to the final project simulation. These discussions give you a chance to express your thoughts, ask questions, and gain insights from your peers and instructor.
Directions
Create one initial post and follow up with at least two response posts.
For your initial post, you must do the following:
- Create a post that addresses the discussion prompt.
- Attach a screenshot of your simulation report.
- Complete your initial post by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
- Use proper citation methods for your discipline when referencing scholarly or popular sources.
For your two response posts, you must do the following:
- Reply to at least two classmates outside of your own initial thread.
- Complete your responses by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
- Follow the guidance in the discussion prompt.
Criteria | Proficient (100%) | Needs Improvement (55%) | Not Evident (0%) | Value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Post: Timeliness | Develops an initial post that includes simulation image by the indicated time | Initial post does not include simulation image or is not posted by the indicated time | Does not make an initial post | 20 |
Initial Post: Benefits of Specialization and Trade | Explains the similarities between the simulation and the benefits of specialization and trade for the United States, including examples from the textbook to illustrate | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
Initial Post: Current News Article | Shares a current news article on international trade that supports free trade agreements (FTAs); explains the ways in which the article is supportive of FTAs | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions | Does not attempt criterion | 20 |
Response Posts | Responds to at least two peers by weighing the costs of FTAs against the benefits; supports position with sources from the news or the textbook | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions | Does not attempt criterion | 30 |
Articulation of Response | Clearly conveys meaning with correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, negatively impacting readability | Submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas | 5 |
Citations and Attributions | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with only minor errors | Uses citations for ideas requiring attribution, with major errors | Does not use citations for ideas requiring attribution | 5 |
Total: | 100% |