Economics

This course introduces the principles of microeconomic analysis including choice and equilibrium, competitive markets, and market failures. 

The course explores the ethical basis of economics, with special reference to applied microeconomics and environmental policy analysis. Key skills developed include critical thinking (in understanding the theory), active listening (in lectures and tutorial classes), written materials (through the essays), information skills (in preparing essays), and oral/visual presentation (in tutorial classes).

Consumption has come to dominate our lives, is driving economies, yet also endangering the future of our planet. This course asks questions about consumption from multiple perspectives, such as how did consumption assume its prominent place, how do economists rationalize consumption, how do companies use behavioral models to craft marketing strategies, whether consumption is good or bad for society or the individual, or whether consumers need to be protected.

This course provides a broad, up-to-date introduction to the economic analysis of public policy issues. Drawing on microeconomic theory, the course focuses on the development of analytical tools and their application to key policy issues relating to the spending, taxing, and financing activities of Government. Particular emphasis is given to recent developments in public economics, including findings from current research, in areas such as behavioral public economics, new empirical methods, and policy innovations.

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.