Global Economics - Junior

Course # ECON 3246

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Principles of Microeconomics (or equivalent)

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 completion of the course, the 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

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Basics of accounting, Mathematics, Statistics

Course Description

The aim of 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, the 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  3411E

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Accounting, Financial Economics

Course Description

This course examines the tax policies and systems in Central Asia, with a focus on Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Students explore various taxation structures, principles, and compliance requirements, along with the economic and social implications of tax policy. By analyzing real-world examples and case studies, students gain insights into regional tax challenges and reforms.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

• Analyze the legal and institutional frameworks of tax systems in Central Asia.
• Assess the impact of different types of taxes on individuals and businesses.
• Evaluate compliance and tax reporting mechanisms.
• Calculate taxes and conduct audits by applying relevant tax regimes.
• Propose policy solutions to enhance tax fairness and efficiency.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # ECON 4246E

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: An introductory course in 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 completion of this 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 3103E

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This course explores the major economic changes that have occurred in world history in the modern period.  Topics taught in this course deal with the history of economic growth, trade and industrialization from the period of colonialization to the recent globalization of the world economy. The focus of this course is to examine the origin and rise of global trade, industrial, demographic and technological changes, differences, and disparity in economic growth in different parts of the world, in developing and developed countries. By exploring economic history students will be able to question how some countries become poor, and some rich; what were the geographical, cultural, social, human, political, and economic factors that led to the growth of human capital, and industry in the rich countries. Overall, the course enables students to reflect on the possible impact of history on the recent economic and technological changes in the world. Throughout the course students are introduced to up-to-date research, relevant primary, and secondary sources (database) on global economic history.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

• • critically examine the primary and secondary sources informing about economic changes
  • identify events, and transformations that have shaped the global economy
  • analyse historical roots, and reasoans of economic growth and various paths of development in different countries, and economic regions of the globe
  • use relevant economic concepts for explaining the course of development around the globe
  • interpret the causes of historical changes and long-run economic development around the globe.
  • identify, interpret and present relevant information about history of the world economy.

Course Assessment and Grading

Course # ECON 3216E

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Calculus, Linear algebra and Statistics

Course Description

This elective course introduces advanced mathematical tools used in modern economic analysis. Designed for undergraduate economics students, it covers further topics in multivariable calculus, series and ordinary differential equations. Emphasis is placed on formulating economic problems mathematically, deriving solutions, and interpreting results in economic terms. Lectures develop core concepts, while tutorials focus on problem-solving and applied exercises. The course prepares students for mathematically intensive upper-level economics courses and future graduate study.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

• Apply advanced multivariable calculus techniques to formulate and analyze economic problems;
• Use series expansions to approximate and study economic relationships and functional behavior;
• Solve ordinary differential equations arising in basic dynamic economic models;
• Translate economic concepts into formal mathematical representations and derive analytical solutions;
• Interpret mathematical results in economic terms and assess their implications for economic analysis;
• Solve mathematically intensive problems independently and in group settings using appropriate methods.

Course Assessment and Grading

Course # ECON 4088E

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This marketing course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and strategies in marketing. It highlights the role of marketing in influencing economic trends, consumer behavior, and global market dynamics. Throughout the course, students actively engage in analyzing real-world marketing scenarios, developing marketing strategies, and applying marketing principles in various contexts. By the end of the course, students will have acquired the skills to understand consumer behavior, evaluate marketing environments, and create effective marketing plans.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

• Analyze consumer behavior using relevant theories and models.
• Develop effective marketing strategies based on market research and analysis.
• Apply the principles of the marketing mix to real-world business scenarios.
• Evaluate the impact of external environments on marketing decisions.
• Design a comprehensive marketing plan that integrates strategic and tactical marketing elements.

Course Assessment and Grading

Course # ECON 4223E

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Microeconomics

CERGE - EI course 

Course Description

Climate change, in the form of global warming, affects lives, societies, and economies. At the same time, energy remains a basic necessity of daily life and a vital input to industry in society. New climate policies seek to address these tensions and now exert a strong and growing influence on how economies and energy systems operate.
First, this course gives a brief overview of the present and expected future state of global warming and its economic consequences. Second, it offers clear theoretical insight into the economics of externalities, of which global warming is a prime example. It introduces key economic policy tools, such as Pigovean taxes, emission trading systems (also known as cap-and-trade), subsidies, and mandates. The theory has wide applications, including in public finance and public policy. Third, new technologies, from renewables such as wind, biofuels, and solar to the renewed interest in nuclear power, are reshaping the energy industry. Fourth, the course examines the main elements of the EU’s climate strategies and assesses the degree to which they align with economic theory and cost-benefit logic. Where possible, we highlight the relevance of climate change and the course concepts for participants’ local context.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this 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 4283E

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Microeconomics at the introductory level, BA level of mathematics (derivations) and statistics

CERGE - EI course 

Course Description

This course covers production and demand for healthcare, how the determinants of demand and supply affect the costs of various types of healthcare services, and individual, family, and market investments in health. The field uses the tools from both microeconomics and econometrics to theoretically and empirically examine a number of topics, including the role of health insurance, healthcare in developing countries, and risky behavior.

Course Assessment and Grading

Course # ECON 3253E

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites:

TBA

Course # ECON 4243E

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

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 projects, 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 completion of 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 Assessment and Grading

Course # EAES 3059E

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of sustainable energy systems and the global energy transition. Students learn how energy is produced, converted, and used; how major technologies compare on cost, performance, and environmental impacts; and how policy, markets, and social priorities shape energy choices. Emphasis is placed on interpreting real-world datasets and contemporary reports and news to evaluate energy options and trade-offs. Students develop practical energy literacy through a two-part Home Energy Survey (draft plus final submission with instructor feedback) and apply course concepts in a team-based transition brief and presentation. The course is designed as a review course with no prerequisites and builds skills in evidence-based reasoning, data interpretation, and clear communication about pathways toward affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy futures. The course runs over seven teaching weeks, with the final exam held during the exam week.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

• Explain core energy concepts (power vs. energy, units, efficiency, energy services) and interpret key energy indicators.
• Interpret and visualize basic energy and emissions data using public sources (e.g., electricity mix, consumption, emissions).
• Compare major energy technologies (fossil, renewable, nuclear, storage) using common metrics (cost, reliability, lifecycle impacts).
• Analyze system-level transition challenges (variability, grids, storage, demand growth, sector coupling) using evidence and transparent assumptions.
• Conduct a household-level energy assessment by compiling appliance-use data, estimating monthly kWh consumption, and comparing results with bills/tariffs for two households.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # COOP 3001

Credits 2