Global Economics - Senior

Course # ECON 4036

Credits 6        

Prerequisite: Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics and Econometrics I

Course Description 

In this course we look at key developments and tendencies in post-Soviet economies of Central Asia. We introduce students to logic and instruments of analysis of national economies of the region. It starts with the historical background of Central Asia and highlights the region’s transition from planned to a market-based economy. The role of natural resources, migration, and remittances in the context of specific Central Asian republics is discussed in detail. Economic integration in the form of free trade, customs union and other types of regional cooperation is explored as well. In the end of the course differences in growth rates of output, human and physical capital and total factor productivity in all Central Asian countries will be analyzed based on the growth accounting technique.  

Course Learning Outcomes  

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

• explain the nature of centrally planned economic system and its failure in the former Soviet Union, particularly, in the context of all Central Asian republics.
• analyze costs associated with transition to a market-based economy in the region.
• discuss the role of natural resources in a country’s post-Communist development and presence of any type of resource curse in Central Asia.
• explain the role of international migration from the region and remittances on a country’s development for the last two decades. 
• analyze regional cooperation projects among Central Asian republics and their possible integration into the world economy.
• apply the Solow growth model to identify differences in economic performance among all countries of the region.
• determine existing and prospective policies for bilateral and multilateral cooperation of Central Asian republics with other countries and international, and regional agencies. 

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # ECON 4233

Credits 3        

Course Description 

Exploring Tourism Economics in Central Asia's Mountainous Regions is a course designed to delve into the economic aspects of tourism specific to Central Asia's mountainous areas. After a series of introductory lectures, this course fosters active student participation through a "guided readings and presentations" approach. Functioning more like a research seminar, students are encouraged to present and engage in discussions about current research in related fields. In addition, students engage with the tourism industry through visits of tourist service providers, specific resorts, and other key industry stakeholders, gaining firsthand experience and insights. 

There will a be a few introductory lectures on selected topics from existing tourism textbooks.  

Course Learning Outcomes 

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

• describe the driving forces of the tourism sector in mountainous regions
• recognize the gains and losses linked to tourism activities for different categories of people and localities
• describe the role of mountain tourism in the Central Asian economies
• analyze how tourism stakeholders can be affected by the competitive and macroeconomic environments
• discuss the economic impacts of tourism on mountainous communities are
• analyze how economics can support policy implications to manage leisure and tourism in remote mountainous areas

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 3001E          

Credits 3

Course Description

Professional Tajik language is a practical course for students who need to develop their skills in using professional Tajik language, both in written and verbal form, and who wish to improve their language proficiency in the context of business communications. The course is useful for students for both native Tajik speakers and foreign students. However, due to the nature of the course, all students are required to be proficient in Tajik language at an advanced level. The course includes various forms of business documents, as well as grammar, syntax, and style to help students easily adapt to formal and professional contexts.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

• speak clearly, fluently, and eloquently.
• follow the requirements of the scientific style, separate and group scientific terms from the text
• express their opinion on various topics based on the requirements of the journalistic style in the form of an article, news, report, poster, story, etc. in writing.
• to comply with the phonetics and spelling of Tajik language according with the spelling rules of Tajik language;
• accurately prepare working documents based on the requirements of official and working style;
• be able to express in formal Tajik language, such as when attending interviews or other similar events;
• be able to follow complex written and spoken academic texts;
• be able to write descriptions, narratives, formal and informal letters, essays on various topics;
• be able to speak freely and accurately in formal and informal communication contexts;
• express their opinions effectively in oral and written communication.

Course Assessment 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 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 behaviors;
• 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 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