Thailand

This course uses a political, economic, and sociocultural approach to provide a study of significant phenomena around the world, within the ASEAN region, and in Thailand. More specifically, through the theories and principles of social science, the course analyzes global issues, the complexity of global interrelationships, the global mindset, and challenges old paradigms.

The course analyzes the social and cultural positions and representations of women and men in British and American literature. Issues addressed include power, self expression, rights movements, and aspects of alternative genders. The course provides an understanding of the traditional role of men and women as portrayed in 19th-century fiction through a detailed study of the works of Jane Austen and Henry James; the paradigm shift in attitudes to gender and sexuality that took place in western society during the 20th century; and of how contemporary literature reflects the profoundly different ways in which women and men relate to each other socially, economically, and culturally today. Topics include the representation of women and traditional gender roles in 19th-century British and American literature; the emergence of alternative genders and sexualities in 20th-century British and American literature; the altered social, economic and cultural positions of women and men in contemporary British and American literature. Assessment: classwork (10%), midterm (40%), and final exam (50%).

This course provides an analysis of the effects of government spending on the macroeconomic goals, such as price stability, economic growth, distribution of income, and employment conditions, as well as the effects of government spending on important economic sectors. Topics include the role of government in economic activities, government outlay, welfare economics, theory of public goods, theory of externalities, public choice, public pricing and policies, and fiscal decentralization.

The course examines twentieth century Britain and explores the changes that affected society during that time. Beginning with the Edwardian period of the early 1900s, the course traces the development of Britain through the various eras that characterized what was a tumultuous century both at home and abroad. While the issue of the class system is an important aspect of any history of modern Britain, the course covers how attitudes toward Empire, religion, politics, education, employment, regionalism, and nationalism evolved and fluctuated during the twentieth century. Topics include World War I, the 1920s, The Great Depression, World War II, the labor government and welfare state, the 1950s and political consensus, the 1960s and 1970s, and social and cultural changes during the Thatcher era. Texts: Peter Clarke, HOPE AND GLORY: BRITAIN 1900-1990; Kenneth O. Morgan, THE PEOPLE'S PEACE: BRITAIN SINCE 1945; A.N. Wilson, AFTER THE VICTORIANS. Assessment: attendance and participation (20%), midterm (30%), final exam (50%).

This course studies the development of economic thought from the pre-classical period to the 20th century. Topics covered include agricultural doctrines, mercantilism, neoclassic economic thought, Keynesian theory, socialism, post Keynesian theory, and institutional economic thought. Texts: R. B. Elelund and R. F. Hebert, A HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THEORY.

The course covers basic concepts in anthropology in four major fields—biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, prehistoric archaeology, and social and cultural anthropology. It provides a study of major anthropological theories (classical, contemporary, etc.), concepts, and methodologies. The course includes anthropological research and ethnographic writing. Topics include human evolution; prehistoric culture; family, kinship, social structure, and gender; politics and human rights; social and cultural dimensions of economy; ethnicity and nationalism; symbolic culture; language; expressive culture (art, music, performance, literature); urban anthropology; and media and the digital age.

This course provides an introduction to the practice of business consulting, including its origins and evolution. It examines the characteristics and development of businesses in Thailand and analyzes different types of business statuses to provide an understanding of the environment, competitive advantages, problems, and obstacles that occur. It also explores the client perspective, communicating with a client, building a client relationship, marketing, conflict and negotiation, and ethics.

The course examines cultural diversity in Southeast Asia, political recognition of cultural differences, cultural assimilation, cultural change, and cultural competition between Southeast Asian nations. Topics include the global historical context, world religious cultures, cultural diversity and dynamism, interaction of politics and cultures, and multiculturalism in ASEAN.

This advanced course provides a study of financial management with an international focus. It covers international financial markets and their evolution. Topics include the international monetary system; international parity conditions; direct investment and political risk analysis; global cost and availability of capital; sourcing equity and debt globally; international portfolio theory and diversification; alternative hedging (interest rate and currency swaps); multinational capital budgeting; and financial crises. Texts: David K. Eiteman, et al, MULTINATIONAL BUSINESS FINANCE; Adrian Buckley, INTERNATIONAL FINANCE: A PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE; Jeff Madura, INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE FINANCE. Assessment: attendance, assignments, and participation (10%), quizzes (30%), midterm exam (30%), final exam (30%).