Economics

This course covers the economic history of the 20th century focusing primarily on Asia. It thus continues where the first semester left off, but this semester can be taken as an independent course. The first half of the semester gives an overview of the history of individual economies. Then the second half of the semester looks at different topics in 20th-century economic history. Topics include the West, the Soviet Union, japan, China, Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia, agriculture, demography, manufacturing, international trade, war and imperialism, economic crises, and economic policy. Assessment: participation, group projects, final exam, midterm quiz.

This course provides an introduction to classical and recent models of international trade and their predictions of trade patterns, with some consideration of empirical studies and policy issues. More precisely, it introduces students to the remarkable growth of international trade in recent decades; the Gravity model, classic models of trade theory, such as the theory of comparative advantage; the Specific Factor model and the Heckscher–Ohlin model, always focusing on the empirical relevance and usefulness of the theories. It also covers new trade theory, i.e. trade models incorporating economies of scale, imperfect competition, and product differentiation. Finally, it provides tools to analyze the economic effects of various trade policies.

This is a history of contextual thinking. Thus, although the chronological structure of this course allows us to discuss the main developments in economic theory from the marginalist revolution (1870s-90s) to the end of the 20th century, it places these developments in the general context of ideas and, above all, in the social and political context that promotes or hinders the spread of competing approaches to economics. Particular attention is paid to the historical conditions in which policies are in agreement or contradiction with the findings of economic science. Efforts are also made to draw parallels between contemporary debates on economic policy and the way in which these same debates unfolded in the previous century.

This is a comprehensive and in-depth financial management course, combining theory and applications. The course examines investment and finance decisions, and their interrelatedness. The major topics include financial analysis and planning, valuation, capital budgeting (NPV, IRR), capital structure policy, dividend policy, capital management, mergers and acquisition, agency theory, corporate governance, and risk and return analysis. An added topic entails a discussion on Business Ethics as related to Corporate Finance. The course looks at some of the greatest failings in Corporate Governance and examines how companies are attempting to place safeguards in their governance structure which will prevent past failings from occurring again.

This course examines how the European Left thinks and practices economics, above and beyond the vast but erroneous stereotype: that this is a party that is incapable, once in power, to conduct a coherent economic policy. At the crossroads of history, sociology, and political science, this course reexamines the tormented history of the Left towards economics, from the first world war to the consequences of the financial crisis of 2007-2008.  It uses a transnational comparative approach and looks at several case studies done in the European zone to examine the movement of ideas and the crucial role of the economy in the changes and political recompositions of the Left during this time.