Economics

This course provides students with a general understanding of the different functions performed by financial markets and institutions and their role in the economic system. The course begins with a brief overview of the functions of the financial system and its connections to the real economy. The course then studies the functioning of financial markets and the main financial instruments. Finally, the course studies the economics of different types of financial institutions. The first part of the course analyzes in detail the characteristics of the major financial assets, and describes the institutional characteristics of the markets in which these assets are traded. The second part of the course studies in detail the objectives as well as the organization of the major financial intermediaries (commercial banks, investment banks, mutual funds) that allow to match demand and supply of funds when securities markets do not function perfectly. The course recommends students have background knowledge in Mathematics (applied), Management, Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis as a prerequisite.

This course explores Chinese economic reforms and development, and introduces many of the elements of China's emergence and its potential role in the world economy. It uses China as a case study placing Chinese economic development in a historical and comparative context, exploring the contradiction between the unprecedented economic growth of the past century and the persistence of poverty in wealthy countries. The course begins with theories of economic growth and poverty, and studies economic and social institutions and public policy debates on ways to achieve rising incomes while improving living standards and promoting equality. The first part is on economic development and the most commonly used models of development. The second part covers contracts and development. 

Chinese-taught version of ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPMENT IN AN ERA OF GLOBALIZATION. Slightly different title used at the host, but same course.

This course provides understanding of game theory. The course not only introduces the basic concepts of game theory, such as Nash equilibrium, subgame perfect Nash equilibrium, perfect Bayesian equilibrium, but also focuses on the "information" of these issues. Some emphases include moral hazard, adverse selection, mechanism design, and models of communication. Additionally, a number of information-related applications, such as negotiation and bidding are introduced.

This course introduces the dynamics of the world economy and the impact on Singapore in the last two centuries. It examines how Singapore grew through continual dependence on the rest of the world in different ways by focusing on major labor, capital, and technological factors, in which threats are also seen as opportunities.

The course explores the theory of public economics; the empirical effects of taxes, spending and debt on economic growth and stability, resource allocation, the distribution of economic well-being and intergenerational equity; analysis of fiscal institutions; and the current and continuing policy debates. References are made to the fiscal issues and problems of other countries, developed and developing, but the primary focus will be on South Africa

This course provides an overview of the level and changes of socio-economic conditions (income, poverty, education, health) in the global south. These conditions are put in perspective in presentations and discussions of the major trends in classical and contemporary thinking about economic development. General textbook material and selected articles on the subject form the core of the readings. The range of topics covered include theories of development, micro- and macroeconomic issues, economic analysis, as well as key policy issues and recommendations.

This course examines different ways of defining the economy and their implications for measuring, managing, and changing it. We will engage with a range of critical theoretical perspectives, some of which suggest broad interpretations of the economy that extends beyond corporations to consider domains such as unpaid household labor and different scales of government, as well as the role of social categories such as gender and race in shaping economies. As students build up a sophisticated conceptual understanding, they explore competing explanations for geographical differences in economic activities, wealth and development, as well as the relations between places.