Economics

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program in Economics. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course is intended for students who have a strong background in economics. The course focuses on corporate and investment banking activity, with particular attention on venture capital and private equity financing. Topics covered include: investment banking, private equity, venture capital buyouts, structured finance, the venture capital cycle (fund-raising, screening and valuation, deal structuring, monitoring, divestment), financial tools needed to evaluate investments, and financing decisions in high-growth potential firms. Required Reading includes: OPTIONS, FUTURES, AND OTHER DERIVATIVES by J. Hull. Assessment in based on a written in class final exam. Students are offered the option of solving a case study and delivering the solution to the instructor as an additional optional assignment. Students are required to solve the case study as a group.

This course introduces the theory and practice of consumer studies. In terms of theory, the course focuses on economic, psychological, sociological, communication, and marketing theories to develop an understanding of consumers. Concepts such as information processing, attitude formation, framing, group norms, conflicts, motivations, emotions, goals, income, wealth, social practices, and culture are studied. In terms of practice, the course reviews four different approaches to consumer studies. All theories can be analyzed with at least four different approaches: marketing, communication, sociology, and economics. During a group assignment students analyze a self-chosen problem concerning a consumer situation with the four approaches to examine how and why consumers behave the way they do, and to provide an answer to the raised research problem.

This is a special studies course involving an internship with a corporate, public, governmental, or private organization, arranged with the Study Center Director of Liaison Officer. Specific internships vary each term and are described on a special study project form for each student. A substantial paper or series of reports is required. Units vary depending on the contact hours and method of assessment. Graded P/NP only.