Postgraduate Courses
- ECON 5030Foundations of Economic Analysis[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 503Exclusion(s)ECON 5110DescriptionFor MScFA and MScIM students only. An examination of some micro- and macro-economic concepts: competitive markets, profits in terms of cost structure and market power; national accounts and business cycles; money and inflation, economic growth, capital accumulation, technological advance and returns to capital and balance of payments.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Formulate good recommendations in all areas of finance based on their financial knowledge with solid foundations in economics, statistics and accounting.
- ECON 5040Economics of Financial Technology[2-0-0:2]BackgroundBasic knowledge of macroeconomicsDescriptionThis course focuses on using economic concepts to analyze the implications of financial technologies (FinTech) on the macroeconomy. It also addresses policy implications of FinTech on financial stability, central banking, and monetary policy. The aim is to highlight the importance of formulating appropriate policies to foster healthy development of the FinTech sector and at the same time ensure the financial stability of the economy.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Use economic concepts to analyze the reasons for the rises of FinTech.
- 2.Explain implications of FinTech on the financial sector and the rest of the economy.
- 3.Identify potential benefits and risks of FinTech for financial stability.
- 4.Address implications of FinTech on central banking and monetary policy.
- ECON 5050China’s Economic Model : Key Insights and the Way Forward[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100VExclusion(s)ECON 5120DescriptionThe course overviews the key characteristics of the Chinese economy with a big emphasis on its transformation. Key attention is put on China’s way forward both in terms of challenges and opportunities.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Recognize China’s economic growth model.
- 2.Summarize how China runs its monetary and exchange policies.
- 3.Identify special characteristics of China’s financial system.
- 4.Analyze China’s relations with the rest of the world in terms of trade and investment.
- 5.Analyze China’s key economic challenges ahead.
- ECON 5100Mathematics for Business and Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 510DescriptionApplication of mathematics to economic and business analysis; mathematical analysis and linear algebra; optimization methods. For SBM students only. Graded P or F.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Summarize the general knowledge of mathematics with special emphasis on linear algebra and optimization.
- 2.Develop and apply the mathematical skills which are essential for postgraduate studies of economic theory.
- ECON 5110Managerial Microeconomics[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 511Exclusion(s)ECON 5130, IMBA 5040Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionDemand analysis and estimation; cost analysis; market structure, strategic behavior and interaction; pricing decisions: asymmetric information; special topics in managerial economics; case studies. This is a core course for MBA.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply demand and supply analysis in predicting market price and related dynamics in competitive markets.
- 2.Analyze key trade-offs in pricing, and compare different pricing strategies according to industry or market conditions.
- 3.Predict competitors' actions and reactions using basic game theoretic methods, and in the context of oligopoly market, analyze the direct effect and the strategic effect of various business decisions.
- 4.Explain the impacts of asymmetric information on market efficiency.
- 5.Communicate microeconomic analysis in business decisions to multiple stakeholder groups.
- 6.Work effectively within a team environment for solving both technical and non-technical problems.
- ECON 5120China in the Global Economy[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 512Exclusion(s)ECON 5050DescriptionThis course provides an understanding of macroeconomic accounts, develops an ability to anticipate changes in the macroeconomic environment and economic policy, and introduces tools to evaluate the impact of these changes on the business environment.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe determinants of growth, business cycles, fiscal and monetary policy, exchange rate issue, financial crises, current account sustainability and capital flows.
- ECON 5125Behavioral Economics[1-0-0:1]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6101CDescriptionThe course demonstrates how insights of behavioral economics can be utilized by managers to address important decisions confronting the firm via case studies. It introduces the basic concepts of behavioral economics, including loss aversion, prospect theory, time-inconsistency, biases in information processing, nudge/choice architecture, behavioral game theory. Graded P of F.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Understand and apply the core academic concepts of business functions required for General Managers.
- 2.Integrate functional knowledge concepts to make general management decisions.
- 3.Apply Western management expertise to Greater China.
- 4.Effectively work as member of cross-cultural teams.
- 5.Define, analyze, and solve complex problems.
- 6.Develop responsible leadership skills.
- ECON 5130Microeconomic Analysis[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 513Exclusion(s)ECON 5210BackgroundMSc students, Non-Economics PhD students.DescriptionTheory of the consumer, theory of the firm; market structures and market equilibrium; information and uncertainty; game theory.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Define the theory of general equilibrium.
- 2.Present various cases in industrial organization.
- 3.Explain standard equilibrium concepts in game theory.
- ECON 5140Macroeconomic Analysis[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 514Exclusion(s)ECON 5250BackgroundMSc students, Non-Economics PhD studentsDescriptionStylized facts about the macroeconomy; microfoundations of macroeconomics; dynamic stochastic models as tools to understand inflation, unemployment, business cycles and growth; fiscal and monetary policies.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe the main questions in macroeconomics and the main components of standard macroeconomic theories, explain the impact of each key component and the consequence of including it, and critique the applicability of models.
- 2.Use theories and knowledge from macroeconomics to review and explain economic and monetary policies, trade and economic growth.
- 3.Illustrate mathematical methods related to static optimization and dynamic optimization.
- 4.Locate, gather, organize and use appropriate information for macroeconomic studies.
- ECON 5180Strategy and Organization[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 518, ECON 612DPrerequisite(s)ECON 5110 OR ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210DescriptionThis course uses economic analysis and case studies to examine the design of organizations, and the relationship between organizational structure and corporate strategy. The first half of the course focuses on relationships within the firm, topics includes agency problems, incentive pay, internal labor policies, conflict and cooperation among divisions, and transfer pricing. The second half of the course focuses on the boundaries and market relationships of the firm, topics include horizontal mergers and conglomerate diversification, internal capital market, vertical integration, and other vertical relationships such as franchising and strategic contracts.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Examine the design of organizations, and the relationship between organizational structure and corporate strategy using economic analysis.
- ECON 5190Games and Strategic Behavior[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100MPrerequisite(s)ECON 5110 OR ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210DescriptionThis course demonstrates how game theory can be utilized for decision making. It helps students to know how other players form their strategies and to identify one's own best strategy; use game theories to analyze entry or exit from businesses, change the perceptions of competitors, the extent of product differentiation and proliferation that is implied by competition; and formulate strategies to alleviate price competition among firms.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain how other players form their strategies and expectations in order to identify one's own best response strategy.
- 2.Model social interactions as strategic games, use game theoretic concepts to predict behavior in these interactions and conceive of ways in which altering the game affects social outcomes.
- 3.Explain how managers can utilize insights of game theory to address important decisions confronting the firm.
- 4.Construct game theoretic reasoning to analyze issues related to entry into new markets or exit from established businesses, changing the perceptions of competitors, the extent of product differentiation and proliferation that is implied by competition, and strategies aimed at alleviating price competition among firms.
- ECON 5200Global Macroeconomics[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 520Exclusion(s)ECON 5250DescriptionThis course covers the basic theory of short run macroeconomics, as it has developed since Keynes. The basic framework will be the "IS-LM" equilibrium method, in which we analyze the major markets which affect the macroeconomy - labor, output, money and foreign exchange markets by studying positions of general equilibrium in them. This framework will be used to analyze fiscal and monetary policies. This is a core course for MBA.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify the framework, style and tools of macroeconomics.
- 2.Apply the concepts and framework developed to current global macroeconomic issues.
- 3.Enhance research report writing and presentation skills.
- ECON 5210Microeconomic Theory I[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 521BackgroundOne year of calculusDescriptionTheory of the firm, theory of consumer behavior, duality; theory of the market, game theory; neoclassical and alternative approaches.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Interpret classic results in microeconomic theory.
- 2.Formalize economic problems using simple but well-reasoned models.
- 3.Find solutions for formal economic problems.
- 4.Apply equilibrium concepts of game theory to various economic settings.
- ECON 5220Microeconomic Theory II[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 522Prerequisite(s)ECON 5210DescriptionIntroduction to general equilibrium theory and welfare economics, economics of information and uncertainty, game theory, theory of contract and organization, topics in modern microeconomics.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Understand models and major issues regarding individual decision making processes.
- 2.Reproduce proofs of some classic results but also be able to explain intuitively each model's perspectives and results.
- 3.Understand the power and limitation of standard models.
- 4.Apply the theory and principles studied in class to real world applications.
- 5.Be well prepared for other economics courses in the program.
- ECON 5250Macroeconomic Theory I[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 525DescriptionClassical and Keynesian models, microfoundations of macroeconomics, dynamic and stochastic models of the macroeconomy, rational expectations, business cycles.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Conduct business cycle analysis.
- 2.Evaluate government fiscal and monetary policies.
- 3.Use deterministic and stochastic models of economic growth.
- ECON 5260Macroeconomic Theory II[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 526Prerequisite(s)ECON 5250DescriptionTheories of consumption, investment, money, and asset prices; inflation; unemployment; economic growth; the "twin" deficits; fiscal and monetary policies.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Have an up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of advanced macroeconomics, especially monetary economics. Understand the important questions of monetary economics and the main components of business cycle and monetary theories. (SILO # 1)
- 2.Grasp the advanced mathematical and quantitative tools to understand the important macroeconomic research questions discussed in the literature. (SILO # 1.2, #1.3)
- 3.Apply the concepts, principles, and models learnt in this course to analyze economic phenomena and the current macroeconomic events and its impact on the business environment and the economy. (SILO # 2.2)
- 4.Develop new research questions independently based on the literatures and current macroeconomic phenomenon; and carry out research independently to address these questions. (SILO # 4.1)
- 5.Apply monetary theories and models to understand and evaluate the effects of monetary policies, possible effects and causes of recent financial crisis, and financial and monetary policies that may stabilize fluctuations. (SILO # 2.2)
- 6.Think critically and creatively when making effective economic decisions and policy suggestions supported by macroeconomic theories and analytical and quantitative techniques. (SILO # 1.3)
- ECON 5280Applied Econometrics[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 528Exclusion(s)ECON 5300DescriptionOrdinary least squares; multiple regression; variable selection and model specification; multicollinearity; heteroscedasticity and serial correlation; errors in variables; Endogeneity and instrumental variable regression; panel data model.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate a reasonably solid theoretical foundation and practical knowledge in econometrics.
- 2.Carry out empirical research and interpret empirical results in economics.
- ECON 5300Econometrics[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 530Prerequisite(s)ECON 5100 AND ISOM 5540DescriptionOrdinary least squares, multiple regression and maximum likelihood estimation; variable selection and model specification; multicollinearity; heteroscedasticity and serial correlation; errors in variables; Endogeneity and instrumental variable regression; panel data model; generalized method of moment.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Possess a solid theoretical foundation and practical knowledge in econometrics.
- 2.Carry out empirical research competently in economics, finance, accounting and other areas in business and social science.
- ECON 5330Information Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100HPrerequisite(s)ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210DescriptionThis course covers theories and applications of information and organizational approaches. Specifically, it covers the four main topics in information economics and organization theory: signalling, mechanism design, complete contract, and incomplete contract. Students are required to understand various concepts intuitively and to be able to deal with simple applications.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain standard concepts in information economics.
- 2.Present several classical papers on information economics.
- 3.Apply the standard theory and approach to mechanism design.
- 4.Describe the standard theory on agency problems.
- ECON 5341Topics in Monetary Policy and Central Banking[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100RPrerequisite(s)ECON 3024 OR ECON 3143 OR ECON 5140DescriptionThe topics to be covered in this course include an overview of tasks and responsibilities of a central bank/monetary authority; relationships of monetary policy to other forms of economic and financial stability policy; objectives of monetary policy; institutional and historical aspects of monetary policy; monetary policy transmission channels, interactions between monetary, fiscal, and exchange rate policies; tools of monetary policy; causes and dynamics of hyperinflations; forecasting methods for inflation, output, and financial variables; international aspects of central banking and monetary policy.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the role of central banks in financial regulation.
- 2.Describe relationships of monetary policy to other economic policies.
- 3.Describe goals and instruments of monetary policy.
- 4.Discuss pros and cons of central bank independence.
- 5.Identify approaches to capital controls and exchange rate policies.
- 6.Illustrate models of exchange rate determination.
- 7.Describe the role of economic forecasting at a central bank.
- ECON 5342Antitrust Economics and Competition Policy[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100XPrerequisite(s)ECON 5110 OR ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210Exclusion(s)ECON 5180DescriptionThis course provides basic analytical tools for antitrust economics and introduces students to applications of economic theory to understand competition policies. Topics include (i) cartels and other collusive behavior among competitors and leniency programs, (ii) monopoly and dominant firm conduct, (iii) vertical restraints of trade between suppliers and customers such as resale price maintenance, tying arrangements, and exclusive dealing contracts, and (iv) horizontal and vertical mergers.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Use economic theory to explain rationales behind antitrust regulations.
- 2.Predict consequences of anticompetitive practices.
- 3.argue from the perspective of the antitrust regulator why certain business practices should be disallowed.
- 4.argue from the perspective of the firm(s) why certain business practices should be allowed.
- ECON 5343Open Economy Macroeconomics[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6110CPrerequisite(s)ECON 5140 OR ECON 5250DescriptionThe course will cover macroeconomic models of exchange rates and international capital flows. This includes the connection between monetary policy and foreign exchange markets, models of long-term growth and the real exchange rates, and business cycle models of the balance of payments.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Construct a variety of measures of exchange rates and relate them to one another.
- 2.Measure the components of the balance of payments and use macroeconomic theory to explain the determinants.
- 3.Explain the relationship between macroeconomic policy and exchange rates and the balance of payments.
- 4.Explain and represent the implementation of exchange rate policy.
- ECON 5348Financial Economics: Corporate Finance[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100SExclusion(s)FINA 5120DescriptionThis course applies Industrial Organization to examine crucial corporate finance policies such as investment policy, financing policy, and payout policy, and to demonstrate their importance in creating or destroying firm value. Students learn to value any asset using simple, universal principles, and use Microeconomic Theories to analyze corporate governance issues such as agency conflicts and managerial incentives. For MSc(ECON) students only.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Correctly use the tools of finance to add value to the firm (and avoid destroying value).
- 2.Describe and interrelate the three main corporate finance policies (investment, financial, payout).
- 3.Relate the three main corporate finance policies to corporate governance (and vice versa).
- 4.Apply all knowledge, skills, and insights gained in the course to tackle real-world situations.
- 5.Subject proposed actions to the three lenses (economic, legal, ethical) of corporate responsibility.
- ECON 5349Financial Economics: Portfolio Management[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100QExclusion(s)FINA 5210DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to the most fundamental aspects of modern portfolio theory, including passive portfolio management and active portfolio management. Topics include how to trade on financial exchanges, evaluate risk-return characteristics for investment projects and construct "optimal" portfolios, classic topics in asset pricing such as CAPM and arbitrage, and key methods in equity valuation. For MSc(ECON) students only.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain how investors trade off risk and return using the concept of utility maximization.
- 2.Allocate money across different asset classes in a scientific manner.
- 3.Price financial securities on the basis of fundamental financial principles.
- 4.Identify basic principles of equity research and valuation models.
- 5.Determine whether a portfolio manager is doing a good job.
- 6.Perform passive and active portfolio analysis using Microsoft Office Excel.
- ECON 5350Banking and Financial Intermediation[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 535, ECON 612APrerequisite(s)ECON 5140 or ECON 5250DescriptionThis course examines several economic aspects of the banking industry, the economic foundations of financial intermediation including liquidity provision and asymmetric information problems. We examine the economic risks faced by banks and how they use their comparative advantage to best manage those risks.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Know the basic models built on coalition of depositors, coalition of borrowers, delegated monitoring, etc.
- 2.Learn the complicacy of the borrower-leader relationship due to costly state verification and moral hazard.
- 3.Understand some common practices in financial intermediation, financial crisis and regulations.
- ECON 5351Environmental Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6110DCo-list withPPOL 5351Prerequisite(s)(ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210) AND ECON 5280Exclusion(s)PPOL 5351, ENVR 5250DescriptionThis course is an introduction to an economics perspective of environmental problems, with attention to public policy solutions to pollution and climate change challenges. Part I will cover the ways in which markets fail to efficiently allocate resources in the presence of pollution along with the class of Pigouvian policies used to correct those failures. Part II will focus on the empirical techniques used by economists to assess the cost and benefits of environmental policies.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply economic analysis to the management of the environment and natural resources.
- 2.Appreciate theoretical and empirical research in environmental economics.
- 3.Use economic principles and non-market valuation techniques to address a variety of continuing and contemporary environmental issues.
- 4.Explain the method in policy evaluation and develop policy evaluation report(s).
- 5.Demonstrate effective writing and communication skills in report preparation and presentation.
- ECON 5352Housing Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6110IPrerequisite(s)ECON 5130 AND ECON 5140 AND ECON 5280DescriptionHousing has its unique characteristics in terms of heterogeneity, durability, spatial fixity, and high purchase price. This suggests that conventional economic concepts need to be readdressed in order to analyze housing. Besides, many households use mortgage loan to finance home purchase. A substantial collapse in house price might lead to negative equity for leveraged households and reduce their consumption and investment thereafter. This course studies both the microeconomic and macroeconomic issues of housing. Topics include housing demand and supply analysis, equilibrium models of housing market, rationales and effects of public policies on housing, causes and consequences of housing market dynamics and crisis. Applications to the subprime mortgage crisis and housing markets in Hong Kong and China will also be addressed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply the microeconomic concepts and models to conduct supply and demand analysis of housing markets.
- 2.Explain the economic rationales and effects of public policies on housing.
- 3.Apply the macroeconomic concepts and models to analyze the dynamics and spillovers of the housing market.
- 4.Use the relevant quantitative tools to carry out the empirical analysis of housing markets.
- 5.Formulate and conduct a secondary research project related to housing market issues.
- 6.Communicate the topic effectively in oral and written English.
- ECON 5360Monetary Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 613GPrerequisite(s)ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210DescriptionThis course studies the basic theories of money and their applications to monetary issues. It also examines a class of phenomena related to banking, credits and liquidity from monetary perspective.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Know the basic models for money.
- 2.Learn the models implications to various monetary policy issues.
- 3.Learn analyzing dynamic models.
- ECON 5370Using Data for Economics Analysis[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100GPrerequisite(s)ECON 5130 OR ECON 5140 OR ECON 5210 OR ECON 5250DescriptionThis course puts econometrics theories and models into practice. Students are required to write their own program with R, and do a term project. Topics included linear regression, panel data analysis and time series analysis regarding estimation, hypothesis testing and statistical interference.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply econometric theories and models in analyzing economic issues in real world with solid support by data, including: identification of research questions, looking for suitable datasources, establishing solid research methodology according to research questions and data availability.
- 2.Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the R platform, including familiarizing R working environment, performing data management with R, using graphic functions for presentation, and writing R scripts for specific research projects.
- 3.Enhance report writing and presentation skills.
- ECON 5390Labor Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100KPrerequisite(s)ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210DescriptionThis course presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of labor markets, utilizing primarily the tools developed in microeconomics and econometrics. We will investigate how wages are determined in various labor markets and study the effects of private and public policies on wages and unemployment. Issues about human capital and labor market discrimination will be studied. We will also examine how employers can design compensation packages, incentive contracts, and performance evaluations for their employees.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify economic critical thinking.
- 2.Utilize labor economics to explain pertinent economic and social phenomena.
- 3.Carry out independently applied research in economic and social problems of the labor market.
- 4.Apply economic theory to practical human resources situations and make sound economic decisions.
- 5.Recognize cultural diversity on labor issues.
- 6.Formulate informed ethical thinking based on rigorous economic and social analyses.
- 7.Communicate effectively.
- 8.Be a lifelong user of economic analysis.
- ECON 5400Money and Macroeconomics[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 540, ECON 610BPrerequisite(s)ECON 5200DescriptionThis course provides a systematic introduction to the financial markets, U.S. and Eurodollar. Students will analyze the major financial markets in the context of the macroeconomy. For each market, the instruments traded; its risks, liquidity and return offered; its uses; and how the market for it is made by money market brokers, dealers and investors will be discussed. Important innovations in the use of derivatives securities will be introduced.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Understand global economic issues.
- 2.Understand the basic economic framework.
- 3.Argue coherently on economic issues.
- 4.Conduct research on macro problems.
- ECON 5410Value Investing from an Economic Perspective[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 541, ECON 610CPrerequisite(s)ECON 5400DescriptionThis course will introduce the precepts of value investing. It will focus on the equity market, and begin with the classic Graham and Dodd investing criteria. This includes stock search; valuation; and design of optimal portfolio. Innovations to the classic criteria as well as use of derivates in the portfolio will be introduced.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe the philosophy, style and tools of value investing.
- 2.Apply concepts in Accounting, Microeconomics and Corporate Finance to analyze companies and their stocks.
- 3.Write a research report.
- ECON 5420Topics in Development Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6100LPrerequisite(s)(ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210) AND (ECON 5140 OR ECON 5250)DescriptionThe course investigates how economics grow, the meaning of "development", and the barriers individuals and countries face in achieving development. Topics include the poverty trap; how population growth affects economic growth; the rationale for government intervention in peoples' fertility choices; rural-to-urban migration and its socioeconomic implications; how credit market frictions affect economic activity and whether they can lead to poverty traps; how microcredit works and whether it helps to alleviate poverty; and the role of the state in economic development.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.State and explain the theoretical and empirically observed relationship between economic growth and poverty reduction.
- 2.Analyze the theoretical mechanisms through which poverty might become a "trap".
- 3.Describe theoretical assumptions under which population growth might affect economic growth, provide economic explanations for fertility choices, describe the empirically observed relationship between economic growth and population growth and interpret it.
- 4.Describe credit market imperfections and analyze how market imperfections may impede growth, and in particular lead to a poverty trap.
- 5.Analyze the mechanisms that cause microcredit programmes to have high repayment rates, and provide possible explanations why they do not appear to lead to poverty reduction.
- 6.Explain the role of incentives in determining how public servants operate.
- 7.Distinguish between correlation and causality, and analyze the merits and demerits of different empirical methods.
- 8.State a research question clearly, provide well-reasoned arguments for and against various mechanisms driving an observed phenomenon.
- 9.Critically evaluate an empirical research paper and interpret its results.
- ECON 5510International Trade[2-0-0:2]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6110FPrerequisite(s)(ECON 5130 OR ECON 5210) AND (ECON 5140 OR ECON 5250)Exclusion(s)ECON 5560 (prior to 2022-23)DescriptionInternational trade has become more and more important, as transportation costs and artificial trade barriers keep falling over time. The world is more and more integrated through trade. Trade also plays a very important role in the development of many emerging economies, such as China. This course discusses the determinants of the pattern of international trade, why nations trade, what they trade, the gains from trade, and the distributional effects of trade. Then, we go on to analyze the motives, consequence and welfare implications of trade policies, and political economy of trade, such as free trade agreements, and the World Trade Organization.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Understand the theories behind gains from trade, comparative advantage and trade, economies of scale and trade, distributional effects of trade, and trade policy, and in some cases, understand how to take the theory to the data and estimate the model empirically.
- 2.Apply the theories to analyze gains from trade, what determines comparative advantage, how comparative advantage determines trade pattern, how increasing returns to scale determines trade pattern, how trade affects factor returns and the effects of trade policy.
- ECON 5560Advanced International Trade and Investment[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6120GPrerequisite(s)ECON 5130 OR (ECON 5210 AND ECON 5220)Exclusion(s)ECON 6120C, ECON 6120DDescriptionThis is an advanced course on the economics of international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). In this course, students learn to analyze the causes and consequences of international trade and foreign direct investment. Topics include the sources of gains from trade, the determinants of trade pattern, offshoring, multinational production, geography & trade, and implications of trade policies.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Know the different theories that seek to explain the causes of trade, gains from trade and pattern of trade flow.
- 2.Analyze the impact of trade on individual economies and to the world, including the aspects of welfare, growth and resource allocation.
- 3.Analyze the causes and consequences of trade protection.
- 4.Explain the gap between the theory and observed facts about international trade.
- 5.Know the economics of the world trading system.
- ECON 5570Advanced Topics in Macroeconomics[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6120APrerequisite(s)ECON 5250DescriptionThe objective of this course is to study the implications of financial market imperfections for macroeconomics and finance, including uninsurable idiosyncratic risks, asymmetric information, moral hazard, agency costs, adjustment costs, and taxation. Lecture is focused on the theoretical foundation of financial imperfections and their qualitative implications. Students need to present papers to the class and complete a computation/estimation project.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Implications of financial market imperfections for macroeconomics and finance.
- 2.Theoretical foundation of financial imperfections and their qualitative implications.
- 3.Present the topics to layman.
- 4.Use computational methods to solve and estimate models.
- ECON 5580International Economics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6120NPrerequisite(s)ECON 5140 or ECON 5250DescriptionThe course aims to familiarize graduate students with theories of international macroeconomics and related research questions. It focuses on determination of the current account and exchange rate, business cycle co-movement, and optimal monetary policy in open economies.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Have an up-to-date and in-depth knowledge on international macroeconomics. Understand the important questions in the literature and the main components of international macroeconomic theories.
- 2.Grasp the advanced mathematical and quantitative tools to understand the important research questions discussed in the literature.
- 3.Apply the concepts, principles, and models learnt in this course to analyze economic phenomena, understand and evaluate the international macroeconomics policies, possible effects and causes of
recent financial crisis, and financial and monetary policies that may stabilize fluctuations. - 4.Develop new research questions independently based on the literatures and current macroeconomic phenomenon; and carry out research independently to address these questions.
- 5.Think critically and creatively when making effective economic decisions and policy suggestions supported by international macroeconomic theories and analytical and quantitative techniques.
- 6.Communicate effectively in oral and written English.
- 7.Demonstrate proficiency in using mathematical, quantitative and empirical tools to conduct economics research.
- 8.Locate, gather, and analyze data using appropriate information technology, software and systems.
- ECON 5610Cheap-Talk: Theory and Experiment[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6120KPrerequisite(s)ECON 5210 AND ECON 5220DescriptionThis course covers game-theoretic works on communication. It maintains a healthy balance between classic/core papers and more recent papers, and between theory papers and experimental papers. Some of the topics covered is sender-receiver games, mediated communication, psychological aspects of communication, and game theory at the intersection of economics and linguistics. The goal is to stimulate original (theoretical and/or experimental) research in one of these areas.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the theoretical and experimental concepts of game theory.
- 2.Describe, analyze and summarize data sets.
- 3.Carry out original research in related areas.
- 4.Develop original paper and proposal for theory and experimental ideas respectively.
- 5.Conclude precisely the ideas presented.
- ECON 5620Theory of Industrial Organization[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6120LPrerequisite(s)ECON 5210DescriptionThis course surveys recent advances in the theory of industrial organization, with the objective of preparing students to develop their own research ideas in related areas. Relevant tools of dynamic game theory, mechanism and information design are introduced. Topics such as competition and pricing, contract design and information disclosure will be covered.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Use industrial organization concepts or theories acquired through this course to explain and analyze real-life economic issues.
- 2.Form informed opinion on the contributions of a research paper and propose potential follow-up research projects.
- 3.Develop simple theoretical models to conduct industrial organization research.
- ECON 5630Empirical Industrial Organization[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6120ICorequisite(s)ECON 5210 AND ECON 5300DescriptionThis course covers various econometric methods used in industrial organization that is often referred to as the structural estimation approach. These methods have been gradually developed since 1980s in parallel with the modernization of industrial organization based on the game theory and now widely applied in antitrust policy, business strategy, and neighboring fields such as labor economics and international economics. This course presumes a good understanding of PhD-level microeconomics and microeconometrics. Participants are expected to understand at least UG-level industrial organization. This course requires participants to write programs mostly in R and sometimes in C++ to implement various econometric methods.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the theory behind the econometric methods for industrial economics.
- 2.Implement the methods by writing programs using R and C++.
- 3.Critically assess the question, motivation, method, materials, and implications of research papers.
- 4.Discuss the contemporary business and organizational issues as analyzed in recent industrial economics papers.
- 5.Present the question, motivation, method, and implications of research papers.
- ECON 5640Policy Evaluation and Evidence Based Policy Making[3-0-0:3]Prerequisite(s)ECON 5280DescriptionThis course has two objectives: 1) to provide basic tools and skills for evaluating public policies in both developed and developing countries, and 2) to learn, through examples, how these tools and skills are actually applied to public policy evaluation. The case studies will focus on human capital development such as health, education, and labor policies.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Develop cognitive skill: Evaluate and compare differing social scientific perspectives on public policy evaluation and design.
- 2.Evaluate current public health, education, and labor policies: Critically assess existing public policies and develop empirical tools to evaluate their impacts.
- 3.Apply evaluation skills to policies: Perform data analysis using Excel and Stata.
- 4.Create professional writing skills: Write reaction papers for an academic audience.
- 5.Develop interpersonal skills: Present, discuss, evaluate and defend supplemental readings in front of a large group.
- ECON 5700Macroeconomic and Financial Risk Management[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 6110EPrerequisite(s)ECON 5280DescriptionMacroeconomic and financial risk is the likelihood that changes in macroeconomic or financial conditions like interest rates, exchange rates, sovereign credit rating, government policy or regulation, political stability, commodity prices, or equity prices will affect the economic profit or investment return of an entity. This course introduces fundamental concepts of macroeconomic and financial risk management. It focuses on the identification, quantification, and management of various macroeconomic and financial risks. It evaluates and applies different tools and procedures, comprising quantitative measures and qualitative assessment, to measure and manage risk. Problems and challenges that arise in risk management process are also addressed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Analyze qualitatively and quantitatively economic and financial risk exposures for financial institutions.
- 2.Apply risk management tools and procedures to manage economic and financial risks.
- 3.Address problems and challenges in the risk management process.
- ECON 6100-6190Special Topics[1-4 credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 610-619DescriptionSelected topics from the frontiers of research in economic theory and application.
- ECON 6950MSc Project[4 credits]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 695Prerequisite(s)MSc statusDescriptionAn independent project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Gain insight of the research process.
- 2.Write up research papers/documents.
- ECON 6970Independent Study[1-4 credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 697DescriptionStudy of selected economic issues under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department. (Special permission from the Associate Dean is required for MBA students to take this course.)
- ECON 6980Independent Project[6 credits]DescriptionFor MSc(ECON) students opting for the Research Preparation concentration only. This course aims to acquire students with research skills through producing a term paper under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Approach research problems in a logistical way.
- 2.Conduct literature review.
- 3.Write up research papers/documents.
- ECON 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchPrevious Course Code(s)ECON 699DescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Present the topic to the public.
- 2.Deep grasp of the subject matter.
- ECON 7800Economics Seminar[0-1-0:1]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 780DescriptionResearch seminars presented by students, faculty and guest speakers. Students are expected to attend regularly. May be repeated for credit. Graded P or F.
- ECON 7900Doctoral Seminar[1-4 credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)ECON 790DescriptionPresentations and discussions of current research projects conducted by PhD students, faculty and visiting scholars. A required course of MPhil (ECON) and PhD (ECON) programs.
- ECON 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchPrevious Course Code(s)ECON 799DescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Present the topic to the public.
- 2.Deep grasp of the subject matter.