Discover the perfect balance of broad knowledge and specialized skills for your academic growth.
Introduction to Macroeconomics
Course Outline:
Week 1-2: Introduction to Macroeconomics
Definition and scope of macroeconomics
Basic economic concepts: scarcity, opportunity cost, supply and demand
Economic systems and the role of government
Week 3-4: Measuring Economic Activity
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national income accounting
Real vs. nominal GDP
Components of GDP: consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports
Week 5-6: Economic Growth
Long-term economic growth and productivity
Theories of economic growth
Growth policies and implications
Week 7-8: Unemployment and Inflation
Measuring unemployment
Types and causes of unemployment
Inflation: measurement and types
Causes and consequences of inflation
Week 9-10: Fiscal Policy
Government budgets and deficits
Fiscal policy tools: taxes and government spending
Effects of fiscal policy on the economy
Public debt and its implications
Week 11-12: Monetary Policy
Money and banking
The role of central banks
Tools of monetary policy
Monetary policy, interest rates, and the economy
Week 13-14: International Economics and Trade
Balance of payments
Exchange rates and their determination
Effects of trade policies
Global economic challenges
Week 15: Course Review and Final Examination
Assessment Methods:
Midterm Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 40%
Assignments and Quizzes: 20%
Participation and Attendance: 10%
Additional Resources:
Supplementary readings will be provided for each topic.
Online resources and economic data sources.
Prerequisites
• Principles of Economics
• Basic Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
• Introductory Statistics
Course Objectives
• To understand the economic theories related to labor markets and human resource management.
• To analyze the factors influencing labor supply and demand.
• To explore wage determination and employment policies.
• To evaluate the impact of government policies on labor markets and human resource practices.
Textbook
"Human Resource Economics and Public Policy: Essays in Honor of Vernon M. Briggs Jr." by Charles J. Whalen (or an equivalent textbook)
Course Outline
Week 1-2: Introduction to Human Resource Economics
• Overview of human resource economics
• The role of human resources in economic development
• Basic concepts: Labor supply, labor demand, and labor market equilibrium
Week 3-4: Labor Supply and Demographics
• Individual labor supply decisions
• Household labor supply
• Demographic trends and labor force participation
Week 5-6: Human Capital Theory
• Education and training as investment in human capital
• The economics of skills development and knowledge acquisition
• Returns to education and skill formation
Week 7-8: Wage Determination and Labor Market Policies
• Wage theories: Marginal productivity, bargaining, and efficiency wages
• Minimum wage policies and their impact
• Income inequality and wage differentials
Week 9-10: Unemployment and Labor Market Dynamics
• Types of unemployment: Frictional, structural, cyclical
• Job search theory and matching in labor markets
• Impact of automation and globalization on employment
Week 11-12: Government Policies and Labor Markets
• Labor market regulations: Labor laws and protections
• Social insurance programs: Unemployment insurance, health insurance, and pensions
• The role of unions and collective bargaining
Week 13-14: Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Economics
• Gender, race, and diversity in the workplace
• The gig economy and non-traditional work arrangements
• International labor migration
Week 15: Course Review and Final Examination
Evaluation
• Midterm Exam: 25%
• Final Exam: 35%
• Research Paper/Project: 25%
• Class Participation and Assignments: 15%
Additional Resources
• Journal articles and case studies
• Reports from governmental and international organizations
• Guest lectures from industry experts
Human Resource Economics
Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
Introduction
Definition of Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
Importance of studying Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
Brief overview of global environmental challenges
Section 1: Fundamental Concepts
Definition of Key Terms
Natural resources
Environmental Economics
Sustainability
Principles of Environmental Economics
Market failure
Externalities
Public goods
Property rights
Types of Natural Resources
Renewable vs Non-renewable resources
Ecological significance
Economic Valuation of Natural Resources
Methods of valuation (cost-benefit analysis, contingent valuation, etc.)
Challenges in valuation
Section 2: Resource Management and Sustainability
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
Strategies for sustainable forestry, fisheries, and water use
The role of technology and innovation
Economic Policies for Sustainability
Environmental regulations
Taxes and subsidies
Tradable permits for pollution
The role of international agreements and cooperation
Section 3: Economic Analysis of Environmental Issues
Climate Change Economics
Economic impacts of climate change
Cost of mitigation vs. adaptation
Economic models of climate change (e.g., Integrated Assessment Models)
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Economic value of biodiversity
Market and non-market valuation techniques
Conservation strategies and their economic implications
Section 4: Case Studies and Applications
Case Study 1: Water Resource Management
Challenges and economic solutions
Success stories and lessons learned
Case Study 2: Deforestation and Reforestation Efforts
Economic drivers of deforestation
Reforestation and its economic benefits
Policy measures and their effectiveness
Industrial Economics I
This course offers an in-depth analysis of the industrial sector of the economy, focusing on market structures, firm behaviour, and the impact of government policies. It integrates theoretical models with real-world examples to understand how industries operate and compete.
Prerequisites
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Basic Calculus
Introductory Statistics
Course Objectives
Understand the different market structures and their implications for firm behaviour and market outcomes.
Analyse the strategic interactions of firms in different industrial settings.
Evaluate the role of government policy and regulation in industrial markets.
Develop analytical skills to assess industry case studies.
Textbook
"Industrial Organization: Theory and Applications" by Oz Shy
Course Outline
Week 1-2: Introduction to Industrial Economics
Overview of industrial economics
History and scope
Basic concepts and tools
Week 3-4: Market Structures
Perfect competition
Monopoly and monopsony
Oligopoly and monopolistic competition
Game theory basics
Week 5-6: Firm Behavior
Pricing strategies
Product differentiation and innovation
Advertising and marketing strategies
Vertical and horizontal integration
Week 7-8: Market Dynamics and Entry Barriers
Entry and exit in markets
Sunk costs and entry deterrence
Network effects and standards
Dynamic competition and strategic trade policy
Week 9-10: Regulation and Antitrust Policies
The rationale for government intervention
Antitrust laws and policies
Regulation of natural monopolies
Case studies in antitrust and regulation
Week 11-12: Strategic Behavior and Competition Policy
Cartels and collusion
Predatory pricing and other exclusionary practices
Mergers and acquisitions
International aspects of competition policy
Week 13-14: Empirical Methods in Industrial Economics
Econometric tools for industrial economics
Case study approach
Interpretation of empirical results
Week 15: Course Review and Final Examination
Evaluation
Midterm Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 40%
Research Paper/Project: 20%
Class Participation and Assignments: 10%
Additional Resources
Journal articles and case studies
Industry reports and market analyses
Guest lectures from industry experts