Global Economics - Junior

Course # ECON 3246

Credits 6

Prerequisite: Introduction to Microeconomics

Course Description

This course focuses on processes of economic development within the context of low and middle-income countries, emphasizing the implications for development strategies and policies. Key issues include the level and nature of inter-relationships between rural and urban development, the processes of economic transformation, and the role of institutions and policies in development. The analytical approach and many of the issues discussed are drawn from development economics, although these will be positioned within the broader geographical, social and political context of Central Asia. The course employs theories and skills learnt in other economics courses and applies them in a less abstract way through collection and analysis of data from various sources. By the end of the course, the students should be able to identify relevant problems constraining the economic (rural and urban) development of the individual Central Asian republics and approach these problems in a rigorous and critical way.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, students will be able to:  

• Discuss economic theories that have shaped growth and development
• Explain the causes and consequences of underdevelopment, poverty and income inequality
• Apply the tools of economic analysis to problems of rural and urban development
• Analyze policy initiatives undertaken to spur economic growth and their economic, social and environmental impact
• Employ theory and data to conduct basic economic analyses on issues specific to economic development
• Evaluate empirical work in development.

Course Assessment and Grading

Course # ECON 3409

Credits 6

Prerequisite: Accounting

Course description 

The aim of the performance management course is to develop knowledge and skills in application management techniques to quantitative and qualitative information for planning, decision-making, performance measurement and control. In the modern, competitive environment, information systems are vital mechanisms of managing and controlling an organization. The course focuses on the information needs and systems required by organizations to manage and measure performance. The course introduces costing and management accounting topics, budgeting, performance measurement and control. Managers need to appreciate the problems surrounding scarce resources, pricing and make-or-buy decisions, and how this relates to the assessment of performance. Risk and uncertainty are a factor of real-life decisions, and students need to understand risk and be able to apply some basic methods to help resolve the risks inherent in decision-making. All the subject areas covered in this syllabus could be examined in either a public sector or private sector context. 

Course learning outcomes  

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify the information systems and developments in technology required for organizations to manage and measure performance. 
• Apply cost accounting techniques for decision-making. 
• Apply decision-making techniques to facilitate business decisions and promote efficient and effective use of scarce business resources.
• Apply appropriate budgeting techniques and methods for planning and control.
• Use standard costing systems to measure and control business performance and to identify remedial action. 
• Assess the performance of an organization from both a financial and non-financial viewpoint.

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # ECON 3243E

Course Description 

An overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions that permit human society to manage risks and foster enterprise.  Emphasis on financially-savvy leadership skills. Description of practices today and analysis of prospects for the future. Introduction to risk management and behavioral finance principles to understand the real-world functioning of securities, insurance, and banking industries.  The ultimate goal of this course is using such industries effectively and towards a better society. The course will combine primary content delivery from one of the top minds in Financial Economics, Nobel Prize winner Robert Shiller, with discussion and application on campus. 

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:  

• Interpret stock and bond price fundamentals
• Recognize and define asset price bubbles
• Analyze insurance policies and markets
• Interpret financial risks and risk management strategies
• Analyze futures and futures prices
• Use prospect theory to understand financial decisions
• Assess and improve corporate and nonprofit financial strategies

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # ECON 4223E

Credits 3        

This course is provided by CERGE-EI.

Course Description

Energy is a basic necessity of daily life and a vital input to industry in any society. New technologies, especially renewable power generators, such as wind and solar, are changing the industry. Also, new climate policies have a growing influence on the economics and practical functioning of energy systems, especially the electricity industry. First, this course aims to give a deeper theoretical insight regarding economic externalities, such as global warming. Several classical economic instruments are presented, such as Pigovean taxes, cap-and-trade programs, subsidies, and mandates. The theory addressed has broad applications, including in the field of public finance and public policy. Second, this course gives an overview of the economics of new potential decarbonization technologies, such as hydrogen, heat pumps, electric cars, and gas as a transition fuel. Third, the most recent decarbonization developments will be discussed.

Course # ECON 4203E

Credits 3

This course is provided by CERGE-EI.

Course description

This course provides an introduction to the data science as a profession and focuses on the theoretical methodologies of the most widely applied machine learning models. The main topics covered include: data preparation (data mining, cleaning and exploring strategies), statistical modeling with the application of appropriate machine learning methodologies (data segmentation, predictive analytics), and mathematical evaluation (test-train split, accuracy measures).

Course # MDIA 4086

Credits 6        

Course Description 

This course explores the development theory of Communication for Development and Social Change (CDSC) / Communication for Development (C4D), an emerging field of studies and professional practice whose goal is to use communication processes, techniques and media to facilitate social, economic and technological development.  The traditions of employing CDSC; the factors that influence theory and practice; the organization of CDSC; and new and evolving approaches to CDSC are introduced.  The different ways in which communication can be leveraged to bring about change in attitudes, behavior and knowledge in individuals and communities are explored. The ways in which 'participation' can make a difference in the planning, implementation and evaluation of social change processes and the key role played by culture in social change, and contemporary uses of community media in the facilitation of change are analyzed. The course is designed to strengthen knowledge of key theories and concepts in this area of study and build skills for work in the state, inter-governmental and NGO sectors. 

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:  

• Define key theories around communication, development, culture, behavior and social change;
• Analyze the role of communication in shaping social norms, attitudes, and behaviours;
• Define and distinguish key CDSC concepts, principles, approaches, methods and techniques;
• Evaluate a variety of communication issues in distinct societal and geographical areas in order to do identify best CDSC practices;
• Apply communication theories to real-world scenarios through case studies;
• Analyse mediated social change in order to better understand its impact and its relevance to specific contexts;
• Identify the steps involved in the design and development of effective, evidence-based and human rights-based C4D strategies in line with best practice.

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # ECON 4243E

Credits 3        

Course description

This course is designed to teach students the basics of how to manage the finances of a project; how to evaluate financial performance; where to raise funds for a project, and how to plan, run, and manage a successful crowdfunding campaign on the platform. It is designed to help students to understand, predict, and use marketing, analytics, and trends. The aim is to learn how to plan, create, launch, and market a crowdfunding campaign and kickstart the way to success in fundraising.

Course learning outcomes

Upon the completion this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the ways of managing finance;
• Evaluate financial performance of a project;
• Identify different sources of financing the projects;
• Differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of sources of financing;
• Plan and manage a crowdsourcing campaign.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # ECON 3213E

Credits 3        

Course description 

Social, economic, and cultural inequalities and environmental issues continue to exist in the Central Asia region and globally. Governments, corporations, NGOs, and individuals recognize these challenges and seek initiatives that enable sustainable development. The course introduces the different models, frameworks, and processes of social entrepreneurship. The mission and vision of social entrepreneurship is explored.  

Course learning outcomes  

Upon the completion this course, students will be able to:  

• Define social entrepreneurship in the local and global context 
• Explain the legal, cultural and business framework and different models of social enterprises in the region through case studies and working with a real social enterprise 
• Apply the social business model canvas 
• Identify social and environmental issues in the local context; i 
• Identify what are the opportunities for social enterprise around these issues 

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # ECON 4276E

Credits 6        

Prerequisites: Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, International Trade and Monetary Economics  

Course Description 

This course provides an overview of key topics and developments in global economics. Students will be introduced to theoretical and practical aspects of the world economy and international economic relations. They will discuss cases pertaining to developed countries, emerging markets and transition economies. Special attention will be given to Central Asian republics. The course “Global Economics” will use tools learned in courses of micro/macroeconomics, international trade and monetary economics.  

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to: 

• explain the nature of the evolution and development of the world economy.
• classify countries according to their social and economic development.
• possess skills related to searching and using statistical information for the analysis of resource potential development of the modern world economy.
• analyze different approaches reflecting global processes, consequences and new trends in economic globalization. 
• explain key forms of international economic relations, and their characteristics. 
• understand current specifics of international migration, in particular in the case of Central Asian republics. 
• determine mechanisms, structure and dynamics of international capital flows.
• explain the role and benefits of international economic integration.

Course Assessments and Grading   

Course # ECON 4246E

Credits 6

Prerequisite: Introduction to Statistics

Course Description 

This course provides an overview of the issues and methods involved in measuring the impact of policies, programs, and interventions, with a focus on developing countries. Through lectures, case studies, and real-world examples, you learn how to quantify the causal effect of interventions by carefully understanding attribution and the practical applications of methodologies. The course explores the steps involved in designing an evaluation, including conceptualization, developing a theory of change, understanding the different methodologies for conducting impact evaluation and choosing the most appropriate methodology given the set of circumstances. You learn about four methods of impact evaluation (randomized controlled trials (RCTs), instrumental variables, regression discontinuity designs, and difference-in-differences), and the weaknesses and strengths, as well as their appropriateness to real life evaluation scenarios.  The goal of this course is to equip you with the skills to design and conduct rigorous evaluations and so that you can make a real positive impact in the world, whether it be in academia, non-profit work, social entrepreneurship, private philanthropy or government. 

Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to: 

• Explain the theory of change underlying the causal relationship between an intervention and its outcomes.
• Develop evaluation questions that effectively measure the impact of a program or policy.
• Evaluate and select appropriate comparison groups that approximate the counterfactual in various real-life scenarios.
• Apply experimental and quasi-experimental designs to evaluate the impact of interventions.
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different impact evaluation methodologies and make informed decisions on the most appropriate methodology for a given situation.

Course Assessment and Grading 

Course # ECON 3286E

Credits 6        

Course Description 

The Project Management specialization is designed to be an introduction to the project management discipline, including the concepts, tools, and techniques used in the management and leadership of projects. Key topics covered include the role of the project manager; the project team; cost, schedule and risk management; quality in projects; and the project lifecycle. The courses in this specialization can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. Throughout the specialization, learners will be introduced to the concepts of project management. Students will learn the formal project management process which includes tools that are commonly used in the discipline. Learners will have an opportunity to apply these tools to manage a small “virtual” project. Upon completion of the specialization, learners should have the basis for a comprehensive final project plan.  

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:  

• Develop familiarity with the concepts, tools, and techniques used in project management.
• Distinguish different project management methodologies and determine which is best for a particular project.
• Describe the role of the project manager and the different phases of the project life cycle.

Course Assessments and Grading