Economics

This course introduces the dynamics of the world economy and the impact on Singapore in the last two centuries. It examines how Singapore grew through continual dependence on the rest of the world in different ways by focusing on major labor, capital, and technological factors, in which threats are also seen as opportunities.

The course explores the theory of public economics; the empirical effects of taxes, spending and debt on economic growth and stability, resource allocation, the distribution of economic well-being and intergenerational equity; analysis of fiscal institutions; and the current and continuing policy debates. References are made to the fiscal issues and problems of other countries, developed and developing, but the primary focus will be on South Africa

This course provides an overview of the level and changes of socio-economic conditions (income, poverty, education, health) in the global south. These conditions are put in perspective in presentations and discussions of the major trends in classical and contemporary thinking about economic development. General textbook material and selected articles on the subject form the core of the readings. The range of topics covered include theories of development, micro- and macroeconomic issues, economic analysis, as well as key policy issues and recommendations.

This course examines different ways of defining the economy and their implications for measuring, managing, and changing it. We will engage with a range of critical theoretical perspectives, some of which suggest broad interpretations of the economy that extends beyond corporations to consider domains such as unpaid household labor and different scales of government, as well as the role of social categories such as gender and race in shaping economies. As students build up a sophisticated conceptual understanding, they explore competing explanations for geographical differences in economic activities, wealth and development, as well as the relations between places.

This course teaches basic mathematical tools (linear algebra, multivariate differential calculus, function maximization) to build economic models and do economic analysis. The following mathematical tools are covered: Static Economic Models and The Concept of Equilibrium; Matrix Algebra; Vector Space and Linear Transformation; Determinant, Inverse Matrix, and Cramer's rule; Differential Calculus and Comparative Statics; Comparative Statics--Applications; Optimization; Optimization--Multivariate Case; Optimization--Equality Constraints and Nonlinear Programming; General Equilibrium and Game Theory.

Given the continuously growing impact of the European Union on business, attention to politics is warranted in international business studies. At the same time, governance in the EU is far from straightforward, as it is based on a very complex mixture of political principles, structures, and institutions. This course looks at the wider institutional environment of the firm and provides background for doing business in Europe.  This course is a good option for students aspiring to work for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or business practitioners in Europe. A creative, multidisciplinary approach is taken, using original and challenging literature from the literature on international business, comparative politics, and comparative economic systems. The course material assists in understanding past and current changes in the broader European business & politics landscape.