Global Economics - Sophomore

Course # HUSS 2041

Credits 3

Course Description 

This course focuses on practical aspects of individual and collective life that sociological research helps us understand better. It introduces basic sociological categories such as social action, role, expectation, identity, group, community, institution, network, etc. We discuss major approaches in sociological analysis and try to use their perspectives in dealing with everyday concerns such as bringing up children, managing an enterprise, committing to a political cause, engaging in economic activities, adapting to a world of globalization and digitalization. We explore how sociology helps us address pressing issues of inequality, intolerance, various forms of violence, and climate change. The course is designed to involve students actively in producing sociologically informed projects that will be relevant for their future careers. 

Course Learning Outcomes 

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

• Develop sociological imagination and recognize patterns in individual and collective activities with the use of such concepts as social order and social change;
• Analyze how individuals are shaped through basic social interaction on a microlevel in families, peer groups, and organizations;
• Explain what is meant by the social institution and how institutions affect everyday interactions;
• Discuss the pressing issues in the development of large complex societies from the perspectives of macrosociological analysis;
• Organize collective work in project teams with members of different cultural and educational backgrounds, give and receive critical feedback among peers ethically and respectfully.

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # HUSS 2072

Credits 3        

Course Description 

The modern societies have transformed politics into a separate domain of action and a specialized field of knowledge. This course aims to introduce students to the diversity of political phenomena that affect our everyday lives ranging from local politics to the international system. The general topics such as the formation of the modern state, its current functions and problems, contemporary international system, will be followed by the focus on the recent political processes in Central Asia, including the emergence of the independent states, regional cooperation and competition, the role of global actors in the region. The course is designed to help students explore how the challenges of decolonization, globalization, digitalization and growing environmental concerns can be addressed by the next generations. From a practical perspective, students are expected to learn to competently evaluate policy choices by doing several projects (e.g. constitution project, conflict resolution project). 

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon the completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Compare and contrast the difference between classical and modern approaches to politics;
• Define the approaches to power, types of power relations;
• Describe the form(s) and function(s) of the state;
• Describe local contexts and diverse legacies of states in Central Asia;
• Explain the role legitimacy and justice play in political processes;
• Discuss the varied impact that globalization, digitalization, and climate change have on modern states and political processes.

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # HUSS 2061

Credits 3        

TBA

Course # ECON 2002

Credits 6

Course Description

Intermediate Macroeconomics brings you up to date with modern developments in macroeconomic theory and offers you fresh perspectives on the macroeconomic challenges of the day. The main objective of the course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic theory and its applications. The course starts with the classical framework to evaluate the economy over the long-run and will be followed by the Keynesian framework to evaluate short-run economic fluctuations employing graphs primarily with occasional equations. In addition, the course provides students with analytical skills and theoretical concepts employed to understand synthetically macroeconomic phenomena from the side of the whole structure, rather than individual agency that help in their future career in academia, research, consultancy, government, and central bank. 

Course Learning Outcomes 

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

• Define key macroeconomic concepts and principles.
• Calculate basic macroeconomic indicators and indexes.
• Apply analytical models to solve typical macroeconomic problems.
• Justify positive macroeconomic policy propositions through the lenses of appropriate theories. 
• Develop a relevant macroeconomic model to illustrate real-life phenomena.
• Describe the determinants of output, employment, and growth in the long run.
• Identify the forces that drive long-term prosperity and why economic activity fluctuates. 
• Analyze how government policy can influence the economy in both the long run and short run. 

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # ECON 2003

Credits 6

Course Description 

Econometrics I is an introductory econometrics course which covers basic statistical methods and tools used by economists and other social scientists to evaluate empirical relationships among variables of interest and to test specific theories.  The course emphasizes both theoretical and practical aspects of econometric models through the analysis of real-world data using the programming language R. Tools for conducting research, undertaking regression analysis pertaining to estimating certain economic parameters, testing relevant hypotheses and conducting forecasting of economic variables using quantitative data will be explored.   

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon the completion the course students should be able to: 

• Explain mechanics of basic econometric models.
• Derive ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator for a linear regression model.
• Discuss all assumptions of classical regression analysis. 
• Prove that the OLS estimator is unbiased, BLUE and consistent.
• Identify and correct any violations of the linear regression model assumptions in order to obtain sound empirical results.
• Use statistical software (R language) to analyze and visualize quantitative data.
• Interpret findings obtained as a result of empirical estimation.        

Course # DMNS 2073

Credits 3

Course description

This course covers the field of ecology, focusing on the interactions between living organisms and their physical environments. Students explore the structure and functionality of various ecological systems, including populations, communities, and ecosystems. The course aims to ensure students master major concepts and basic terminology of ecology, comprehend how evolution and ecology complement each other, and become familiar with different approaches to ecological study, such as theory, observations, and experiments. By the end of the course, students achieve a comprehensive understanding of the complex interrelationships that define ecological systems.

Course learning outcomes

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

• Explain the environmental characteristics of different ecosystems, evolution, and adaptation of organisms to environmental conditions.
• Define the energy flow and nutrient cycle.
• Recognize and evaluate examples of human impact on the natural world.
• Analyze the global processes. (water cycle, Climate change etc.)

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # HUSS 2102E          

Credits 1.5

Course description 

This course focuses on Civil defense as a system of measures aimed at the preparation and protection of the population and its material and cultural values from dangers arising during military operations as well as in natural and man-caused emergency situations. It discusses why Civil defense is one of the most important functions of the state and an integral part of defense construction and ensuring population security. Emergencies that pose a threat to people's lives and health, associated with natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, snowstorms and drifts, forest and peat fires are examined. It explains why all developed countries, including the Republic of Tajikistan, to effectively reduce the negative consequences of an emergency, and to protect the population and the national heritage of the country from the dangers of emergencies arising in peacetime and wartime, are constantly preparing for such situations.  

Course Learning Outcomes 

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

• Discuss ways to protect themselves and others during dangerous and harmful environmental events.
• Assess the damage caused by accidents and catastrophes to industrial facilities and ways to prevent the amount of damage caused.
• Identify the main hazards of the human environment, assess the risk of their implementation, and choose methods of protection from hazards to ensure comfortable living conditions.
• Classify industrial objects according to their degree of danger to workers, employees and the population.
• Explain legislative and legal acts in safety and environmental protection and the safety requirements of technical regulations.
• Explain ways to predict and evaluate possible emergencies, and the measures that can be taken to ensure the stability of economic facilities in the country if they are affected by natural and human-caused disasters, epidemics, and other threats to security.
• Explain ways to develop and implement timely measures to protect the population in emergencies, to provide first aid to victims, and to use personal protective equipment in emergencies.

Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # EAES 2215E          

Credits 1.5

TBA

Course # EAES 2215E          

Credits 1.5

Course Description

The course delves into the fundamental methodologies of the natural sciences, exploring the principles governing natural laws. Encompassing physics, astrophysics, cosmology, biology, chemistry, ecology, and geology, this course aims to cultivate students' understanding of essential research methods and enhance their skills in comprehending natural processes. Specific topics covered include insights into natural events, celestial bodies such as stars and planets, and brief discussions on chemical and environmental occurrences. The course provides a comprehensive overview, fostering knowledge and proficiency in the diverse realms of the natural sciences.

Course Assessments and Grading