Economics

This course gives students an understanding of the power and limitations of the theoretical constructs used to interpret human behavior in economics, as brought to bear on observed consumption behavior; to enable them to critically evaluate policies targeted at individuals, both in terms of their theoretical basis and of their practical importance, and to recognize the importance of measurement in the design and evaluation of policy and the challenges it poses. Students build upon the core material learned in the first two years of the BSc (Econ) Economics degree program to further study problems pertinent to our understanding of individual choices, to their measurement, and to the design and evaluation of policy.

This course provides an introduction to programming in order to numerically solve simple economic models and perform basic data analysis. The first part of the course introduces programming using the general-purpose Python language. It teaches how to write conditional statements, loops, functions, and classes; print results; and produce static and interactive plots. It provides an opportunity to solve simple numerical optimization problems; draw random numbers; run simulations; test, debug, and document code; and use online communities proactively when writing code. The second part of the course instructs how to import data from offline and online sources, structure it, produce central descriptive statistics, and estimate simple statistical models on the data. The third part of the course introduces the concept of a numerical algorithm to write simple searching, sorting, and optimization algorithms, solve linear algebra problems, solve non-linear equations numerically and symbolically, find fixed points, and solve complicated numerical optimization problems relying on function approximation. The course provides hands-on experience with applying the above techniques to solve well-known microeconomic and macroeconomic problems through both a small data analysis project and a larger model analysis project based on a well-known economic model.

The course reviews agglomeration and clustering of economic activities from both geographical and urban economics disciplinary perspectives, in relation to cluster and urban economic policy. The course explains the current innovative and knowledge economy of firms and policymaking in relation to urban competitiveness. The geographical discipline focuses on clusters, network formation and industry evolution using institutional theories in which the actor-approach of firms and governments is central. Urban economics traditionally focuses on the role of externalities and urban contexts as attractions for firm and population location decisions and the growth and innovation potentials of firms in a more quantitative sense. Both disciplines heavily lean on empirical research, using complementary research methods like case-study research, surveys, spatial econometrics and general equilibrium modelling. Those methods are explained in the course in relation to current issues and empirical research on urban development. Much attention is given to regional and urban economic policy issues. Participants apply the theoretical and empirical insights from the lectures in an actual case study of urban policy in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

The goals of this course are to (i) acquire a structured insight into the important role of the state in modern market economies, (ii) learn about the functioning and performance of the state and its interactions with markets, and (iii) understand and critically reflect upon recent developments and discussions concerning issues of the public sector like inequality, taxation, or climate protection. The topics include (i) taxation, redistribution, inequality, poverty, and fairness, (ii) market failures such as incomplete information, public goods, and externalities, as well as (iii) political decision-making and elections. These topics are analyzed from a normative (welfare economic) as well as from a positive (explanatory) perspective, with emphasis on the relevance and limitation of traditional economic theory.

This is a graduate level course that is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course offers an overview of: how health economics theory and methods can be applied to understand the challenges facing health systems in low and middle income countries; the patterns and key issues of health systems and policies in developing countries, with an emphasis on critical assessment of current and future policy options. By the end of the course students are expected to be able to: appreciate the relevance of applying health economics methods in low and middle-income countries; assess alternative methods of raising revenue to fund health systems in low and middle-income countries; assess equity of access to health services and how health system can identify and respond to health inequities; assess policy options to improve health systems performance in low and middle-income countries; adopt a systematic view of health and health systems in developing countries, and develop independent thinking on future perspective regarding health sector reforms. Topics covered: the outlook of LMICs and overview of their health systems; assessing the performance of health systems in LMICs; identify key areas of debate that remain unresolved; the relationship between health and development: how much does disease depress development in human capital and income around the world?; effects of childhood health on adult income; effects of adult health on adult productivity; reverse causality; macroeconomic implications; health behavior and demand of health in LMICs; health disparities and policy interventions; access to Health Care in LMICs: supply side; the role of governments and budget allocations; international organizations; the quality of medical care as a function of competences and practices of providers; policy interventions; parental inputs, parental time, transmission, and children's health.