Course Description

This course aims to provide students with an analysis of the theories to analyse different phenomena in the global economy, and to develop their ability to apply these theories to explain real-world events. There are three themes in the course. The first is to discuss the structure of world trade, related economic theories and efforts from different international bodies to organize trade.  The second theme turns to the landscape of international financial markets, by looking at capital flows around the world and theories to explain them.  Lastly, the debate on, and theories of, exchange rate arrangements across countries will also be discussed.  Throughout the coverage of these topics heavy reference will be made to recent major economic events round the world.

This course deals with quantitative model building and statistical skills which students will find useful in economics, marketing, risk management, and investment. It aims to teach students how to use statistical techniques to estimate and test hypotheses in business and economics. Students will learn how to create a statement of theory or a hypothesis, how to collect data, and how to specify economic and business models. Students will also learn how to estimate the parameters of their chosen forecasting model, check for model adequacy, and test the hypotheses derived from the model. The emphasis is on the application of econometric methods to the analysis of real world economic data using advanced statistical software.

This course aims to examine the causes and consequences of globalization from an economic perspective, and how the world is integrated through trade and financial transactions. It discusses the patterns of international trade, why nations trade, what they trade, and the consequences of trade. Then, we go on to analyze the determinants and the implementations of different trade and investment policies, the motives for countries to restrict international trade, and the welfare implications of those trade policies. This course also examines a couple of other topics as they relate to the developing world: primary education, and public accountability. Real world issues and policies pertaining to globalization will be discussed throughout the course, including the effects of trade on economic growth and income inequality, multinationals, foreign direct investment, WTO, IMF and different exchange rate regimes.

This course aims at providing an economic analysis of the role of government and the formulation of public policies. The course starts with an examination of the different perspectives on the role of government. It is then followed by the discussion and analysis of welfare economics, public expenditure theory, taxation theory, public policies on education, health care, social insurance, welfare programs and technology. 

After completing the course, the student will be able to: (1) apply the statistical concept of method to policy data, and (2) interpret the results of estimation as to both mathematical properties and policy analysis. Students will learn Maximum likelihood estimation, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression), instrumental variables (IV) regression, heteroscedasticity-consistent regression, fixed and random effects models, probit, logit and tobit models, and identification and two-stage least squares estimation of simultaneous equations models.

This course aims to introduce four dominant approaches in the study of international relations, namely, Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, and Constructivism. It enables students to identify and discuss critically these perspectives and apply them to explain and examine empirical cases in international relations.

This course aims to introduce students to the contexts that have given rise to global issues. It also explores the impacts of those global issues that are pertinent to our day-to-day lives. By the end of the course, the students should be able to apply a wide array of social sciences concepts and theories (in political science, economics, sociology, and public policy) to conceptualise, analyse, and evaluate the different global issues of our time.

This course aims to examine the key concepts and theories of global political economy and their application to the development process in the real world. Drawing on the experiences of developed and developing countries, especially those in East Asia, the course is designed to guide students to analyse the roles of the government in economic development in both local and global contexts.  

This course also examines the prospects and problems of the interplay between government policies and economic development within a country, as well as the interdependence among national economies in the age of globalization. Real-world examples from international and regional organizations such as the European Union (EU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amongst others, will also be discussed throughout the course.

The course aims to introduce students to the major concepts, theories of globalization, and the social and cultural dimensions of globalization. It also aims at enabling students to critically engage with competing perspectives of globalization and to evaluate effects of globalization on poverty and national/local cultures, and to analyze impacts that globalization has made on the state and its conventional functions.