Economics

This course focuses on the fundamental financial theories and applications that explain how investors, managers, corporations and other market participants interact and behave in the financial markets and what affects and drives their decisions, as well as the implication of those decisions and interactions. It also considers how corporate financial managers make financing decisions and manage financial risks. The course covers several major aspects of financial analysis and decision making that are important to modern corporations, including the valuation of projects and securities, capital structure choice, working capital management, and the management of international risks. While many of the theories and tools in financial management assume well-functioning capital markets with rational economic agents, the course also covers alternative perspectives based on key insights from the field of Behavioral Finance.

The course introduces students to the origins of modern economic thought; the development of the main traditions and the differences and controversies between them, and demonstrates their contemporary relevance. It examines the history of economic ideas and the evolution of the main schools of economic thought from the 18th century to the present day. 

This course covers econometrics techniques for analyzing data to answer various economic and financial questions. The course introduces the nature of econometrics and economic data, then examines various types of regression analysis.

This course explores the quantitative instruments needed to pose and analyze economic problems with the aid of a formal model. Topics include: concepts of matrices and algebra of matrices; analysis of dynamic economic models; differential and difference equations and systems; examination of the qualitative behavior of solutions. 

This course uses economic theories such as trade specialization and investment strategy to create a foundation for international economic analysis. Primarily, the course focuses on the impacts of globalization, its roots, the current state of global trade and the concept of “de-globalization.” As well as this, it discusses the link between free-trade and growth, and why we do not see this connection in certain developing countries.

This course covers two parts for international economics, international trade and international finance. In the first part, we will examine the causes and effects of international trade. We will analyze the content of trade, the distribution of gains to trade, and measure of the Global Value Chain. The effects of trade on economic growth, wage, employment, economic inequality, and environment will be studied. Lastly, we will explore why countries may want to limit and regulate international trade, and discuss the causes of trade conflicts and possible solutions. The second part of the course covers topics in open-economy macroeconomics and in international finance. We will first introduce national income accounting and the balance of payments, and discuss the relation between international trade and financial transactions. We will then study exchange rate, an important international price, exchange rate determination, and exchange rate regime. Finally, we will discuss the theory and policy of open-economy macroeconomics, and the internationalization of the Chinese yuan.

This course examines a selection of the major themes in economic history. Students read academic articles written by economists that use novel historical data, state-of-the-art micro econometric methods, and economic theory. The reading list covers a broad range of historical periods and geographic regions that provide unique settings to answer questions that are usually difficult to address in contemporary settings. The course begins with a discussion of the evolution of economic history and the main empirical methods used in applied microeconomics and their application in economic history. Then, students examine interrelated themes including the ultimate determinants of economic prosperity; culture and religion as drivers of social and economic change; the origins of gender inequality; the impact of ethnic animus and conflict in the long run; and the persistent effects of immigration and technology adoption on the economy.

"Economic Geography" is a major component of geography, which is the most developed sub-discipline in most National Geographic Science Systems. The development and characteristics of economic geography, on one hand, are closely related to the development of economic activities. On the other hand, they are greatly influenced by geography, economics and other related disciplines. As an independent discipline, economic geography has only a history of over a hundred years. However, its origin and development can be traced further.

The course provides students with a thorough understanding of core concepts and methods of microeconomics, as a foundation for subsequent study of microeconomics, and as one of the key elements in the professional training of an economist.