University of Commerce Luigi Bocconi

This course introduces the study of development economics. The central aim of the course is to present key theoretical models and related empirical evidence that shape our thinking of economic interactions and policy-making in developing countries. The course begins by giving an overview of growth theory in order to identify potential drivers of economic growth and to provide a benchmark for analyzing the role of market imperfections. The course then analyzes markets and institutions in developing countries, with a focus on how they have developed to make up for market imperfections in developing countries. In particular, the structure of labor and credit markets in developing countries is introduced with a view towards understanding how imperfections in these markets affect the lives of the poor and the economy at large, and shape economic policy-making. The course also explores issues related to education and gender in development, with a particular focus on the methodology of field experiments to provide insights into these topics. The course has a strong applied focus. For each topic, simple theoretical models are introduced to derive testable predictions, followed by a review of the empirical results and their implications for policy. The course discusses topics including: facts about development and growth; growth via factor accumulation; inequality and growth; foreign aid, development, and corruption; impact evaluation; education; gender and ethnicity; informal institutions; financial markets and microcredit; private sector development and entrepreneurship; and labor markets. Students are expected to be comfortable with econometrics and microeconomics to feel at ease with this course.

The course explores the world of fashion and luxury by providing an overview and general framework of the sectors, the companies, and brands, then delving into two key areas: the sustainability and circularity management focus and the merchandising process (from the point of view of brand building of the seasonal offerings). Both topics are strategic today: sustainability has become a key factor for the fashion system; collection development has to be adapted to the industry evolution and the omnichannel approach. The course discusses topics including an overview of the fashion system and a detailed industry analysis; analyzing the main business logic and business models in fashion; an overview of opportunities and challenges related to sustainability and circularity management in fashion; key tools to manage sustainability and circularity in fashion, to create a competitive advantage based on differentiation; the concept of the fashion cycle and innovation, the pipeline and its timing; the seasonal strategies at the level of the product, with relation to distribution and communication; and the role of merchandiser, the collection plan, the sales campaign, and the role of buyer.

The course examines how the mass media and political elites structure public opinion and political behavior, both from a theoretical and an empirical perspective. While the majority of the course focuses on advanced industrial democracies, specific attention is given to media, elite and mass linkages in the developing world. Topics such as the persuasive effects of the media, strategic agenda setting of political elites, and electoral campaigning are covered from a multidisciplinary approach, covering work from economics, political science, and communication science. Special attention is devoted to social media and social media effects are put in a historical context. The course introduces students to a basic toolkit used by researchers to understand the relationship between the media, strategic political elites, and the public. The course covers the following topics: a historical and comparative look at political communication; media coverage and bias; political elites and electoral campaigns; the persuasion effects of the media: agenda-setting, framing, and priming; empirical analysis of media effects; and the use of social media in politics.

This course provides an information set to properly assess investment opportunities using accounting publicly released information. The course includes: a review of basic accounting concepts and main tools; the analysis of financial statements; earnings quality analysis: determinants, economic consequences, and proxy; firms’ valuation using the most common valuation techniques; and an overall understanding of role and responsibility of key players in the financial information field (analysts, investor relators, and so on). The course requires knowledge of basic financial accounting as a prerequisite.

This course focuses on how to create value and growth through innovation in new and existing markets. The course includes a general overview of reasons for success or failure of new products as well as techniques on how to identify opportunities for successful product/service innovations. Students examine the skills of innovation and how to apply those skills within the context of a marketing strategy framework. Students apply innovation methods across a wide variety of product and service categories. The course is taught using interactive workshop methods and techniques. Students first experience these facilitation techniques while learning innovation.

This course provides students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the key macroeconomic forces shaping the global economy today. The course discusses how long-term growth, globalization, financial integration, and climate change interact in shaping economic outcomes across countries and over time. The course combines economic theory with real-world data, case studies, and contemporary policy challenges to equip students with the analytical tools needed to interpret global macroeconomic dynamics and assess their implications for business, policy, and society. The course is structures in 4 core pillars: 1) Economic Growth and Development; 2) International Trade and Globalization; 3) Global Finance and Crises; 4) Economics and Climate Change. Prerequisites: Knowledge of the concepts covered in introductory undergraduate macroeconomic and microeconomic courses is highly recommended. 

This course introduces students to the politics of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a particular focus on regional dynamics related to religion, authoritarianism, foreign intervention, and popular politics. The first half of the course provides the main historical, social, and economic features underpinning current politics in MENA by examining historical state formation, authoritarian governance, and political economy in the region. In so doing, the course equips students with the main analytical tools needed to comprehend and critically analyze the course of current political developments, which the second half of the course addresses. Students learn about the trajectory of the Arab Spring, the rise and decline of Islamist political movements, and ongoing struggles with civil wars and terrorism, among other topics. The course requires students have basic knowledge of theories and concepts of political science to participate in the course.