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Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus
(name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)
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NA
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Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address
and signature) and Office Hours:
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Prof.Dr. Eglantina Hysa ehysa@epoka.edu.al
, 16.00-18.00, Tuesday
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Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email
address and signature) and Office Hours:
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NA
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| Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: |
NA
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| Language: |
English
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| Compulsory/Elective: |
Elective
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| Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) |
Master of Science in Banking and Finance
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| Classroom and Meeting Time: |
18.00-20.45, Tuesday (E211)
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| Code of Ethics: |
Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
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| Attendance Requirement: |
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| Course Description: |
Major elements in the economic development of resources, production, marketing, finance, labor; economic policy; political, social and technological factors affecting economic development, theories of growth.
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| Course Objectives: |
There are several objectives of the course. First, students should be aware of the current debates about the definition of economic progress, and what we should consider when studying ‘economic development and growth’. Secondly, they should become familiar with the available cross-country data, and how this data can be used to draw meaningful insights into the important determinants of economic growth. Thirdly, students should have a good understanding of the formal economic models of economic growth and be able to use these models as a basis for understanding and distinguishing the various sources of, and constraints on, economic growth.
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BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
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| 1 |
Agriculture Sector
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| 2 |
Foreign Aid
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| 3 |
Environmental Economics
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| 4 |
Trade Theories
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| 5 |
Policymaking
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| Week |
Topics |
| 1 |
Agricultural Transformation and Rural Development (In this chapter, after a look at broad trends, we will examine the basic characteristics of agrarian systems in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Although there is considerable diversity among developing nations, as well as within developing countries, each region tends to have a number of characteristics in common. First, these regions typically reflect the agricultural patterns of agriculture-based economies (in Africa), agriculturally transforming economies (in Asia), and urbanized economies (in Latin America). Relatedly, agriculture in these regions often typifies the stages of subsistence, mixed, and commercial farming, with important regional exceptions and varying success at inclusion of the poor. With successful development, countries tend to move toward commercialized agriculture, though with different trajectories and differing economic, social, and technical problems to solve along the way) (pp.437-490) |
| 2 |
Agricultural Transformation and Rural Development (In this chapter, after a look at broad trends, we will examine the basic characteristics of agrarian systems in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Although there is considerable diversity among developing nations, as well as within developing countries, each region tends to have a number of characteristics in common. First, these regions typically reflect the agricultural patterns of agriculture-based economies (in Africa), agriculturally transforming economies (in Asia), and urbanized economies (in Latin America). Relatedly, agriculture in these regions often typifies the stages of subsistence, mixed, and commercial farming, with important regional exceptions and varying success at inclusion of the poor. With successful development, countries tend to move toward commercialized agriculture, though with different trajectories and differing economic, social, and technical problems to solve along the way) (pp.437-490) |
| 3 |
The Environmental and Development (In this chapter, we examine the economic causes and consequences of environmental crises and explore potential solutions to the cycle of poverty and resource degradation. We begin with a survey of basic issues, including discussions of sustainable development and the linkages among population, poverty, economic growth, rural development, urbanization, and the environment in developing countries. We next look at the applicability of traditional economic models of the environment, depict some typical environmental situations, and provide some relevant data. We then broaden our scope to examine the global environment and explore policies for seeking worldwide sustainable development. The end-of-chapter comparative case study of Haiti and the Dominican Republic—two nations sharing one island—examines the role of environment as one of the dimensions of their very different development outcomes.) (490-541) |
| 4 |
The Environmental and Development (In this chapter, we examine the economic causes and consequences of environmental crises and explore potential solutions to the cycle of poverty and resource degradation. We begin with a survey of basic issues, including discussions of sustainable development and the linkages among population, poverty, economic growth, rural development, urbanization, and the environment in developing countries. We next look at the applicability of traditional economic models of the environment, depict some typical environmental situations, and provide some relevant data. We then broaden our scope to examine the global environment and explore policies for seeking worldwide sustainable development. The end-of-chapter comparative case study of Haiti and the Dominican Republic—two nations sharing one island—examines the role of environment as one of the dimensions of their very different development outcomes.) (490-541) |
| 5 |
Development Policymaking and the Roles of the Market, State and Civil Society (In this chapter, we examine the roles and limitations of planning and development policymaking as practiced in developing nations, consider the problems of economic transition to more competitive market economies, and ask fundamental questions as to the proper role of the state and how public and private economic activity can best be made mutually supporting. We start with a brief review of the nature of development planning and a summary of general planning issues. After examining the main arguments for and against the role of planning in developing societies and briefly reviewing different models of planning and project appraisal, we examine the requirements for getting the most social benefits from market economies and evaluate the argu - ments for and against a relatively broader or narrower role of the state in con - temporary developing nations.) (541-600) |
| 6 |
Development Policymaking and the Roles of the Market, State and Civil Society (In this chapter, we examine the roles and limitations of planning and development policymaking as practiced in developing nations, consider the problems of economic transition to more competitive market economies, and ask fundamental questions as to the proper role of the state and how public and private economic activity can best be made mutually supporting. We start with a brief review of the nature of development planning and a summary of general planning issues. After examining the main arguments for and against the role of planning in developing societies and briefly reviewing different models of planning and project appraisal, we examine the requirements for getting the most social benefits from market economies and evaluate the argu - ments for and against a relatively broader or narrower role of the state in con - temporary developing nations.) (541-600) |
| 7 |
International Trade Theory and Development Strategy (International trade has often played a central role in the historical experience of the developing world. As with many other topics in development, there is a great deal of diversity in developing countries’ experiences with trade. In recent years, much of the attention to trade and development issues has been focused on understanding the spectacular export success of East Asia. Taiwan, South Korea, and other East Asian economies pioneered this strategy, which has been successfully followed by their much larger neighbor, China. The experiences of these economies are an important plotline in the unfolding trade and development drama and will be examined later in the chapter.) (600-678) |
| 8 |
Mid-Term Project |
| 9 |
International Trade Theory and Development Strategy (International trade has often played a central role in the historical experience of the developing world. As with many other topics in development, there is a great deal of diversity in developing countries’ experiences with trade. In recent years, much of the attention to trade and development issues has been focused on understanding the spectacular export success of East Asia. Taiwan, South Korea, and other East Asian economies pioneered this strategy, which has been successfully followed by their much larger neighbor, China. The experiences of these economies are an important plotline in the unfolding trade and development drama and will be examined later in the chapter.) (600-678) |
| 10 |
Balance of Payments, Developing-Country Debt, and the Macroeconomic Stabilization Controversy (In this chapter, after looking at a country’s balance of payments accounts and recent trends in developing-country trade balances, we will examine the dimensions and effects of debt crises in developing countries. We will examine in depth how major debt crises emerged during the 1980s and into the 1990s, and why debt remained a serious impediment to growth in Africa for two decades or more after the crisis hit. These crises are of exceptional importance because of their scope and impact on slowing the development progress of dozens of developing nations over protracted periods; and much has been learned from years of careful study of the lessons from this experience.) (678-731) |
| 11 |
Foreign Finance, Investment and Aid: Controversies and Opportunities (In this chapter, we explained that a country’s international financial situation as reflected in its balance of payments and its level of monetary reserves depends not only on its current account balance (its commodity trade) but also on its capital account balance (its net inflow or outflow of private and public financial resources). Because a majority of non-oil-exporting developing nations have historically incurred deficits on their current account balance, a continuous net inflow of foreign financial resources represents an important ingredient in their long-run development strategies. These recurrent requirements are amplified by the need for targeted resources for investments in key sectors and for carrying out poverty reduction strategies.) (731-781) |
| 12 |
Foreign Finance, Investment and Aid: Controversies and Opportunities (In this chapter, we explained that a country’s international financial situation as reflected in its balance of payments and its level of monetary reserves depends not only on its current account balance (its commodity trade) but also on its capital account balance (its net inflow or outflow of private and public financial resources). Because a majority of non-oil-exporting developing nations have historically incurred deficits on their current account balance, a continuous net inflow of foreign financial resources represents an important ingredient in their long-run development strategies. These recurrent requirements are amplified by the need for targeted resources for investments in key sectors and for carrying out poverty reduction strategies.) (731-781) |
| 13 |
Finance and Fiscal Policy for Development (Financial systems remain an integral component of the general economic system in developing countries. For example, in the context of severe macroeconomic instability with high inflation, accompanied by large budget and trade deficits, they represent a key element in any overall stabilization effort. Moreover, as noted earlier, financial systems provide a variety of needed services, including savings mobilization, credit allocation, risk limitations, insurance protection, and foreign-exchange facilitation. Let us therefore continue our examination of the structure of financial systems with a look at the central bank.) (781-850) |
| 14 |
Some Critical Issues for the Twenty-First Century (A large variety of topics to be discussed) |
| No |
Program Competencies |
Cont. |
| Master of Science in Banking and Finance Program |
| 1 |
The students gain the ability to look at the problems of daily life from a broader perspective with an increased awareness of the importance of moral/ethical considerations and professional integrity in the workplace. |
3 |
| 2 |
They develop a broader understanding of banking and finance including concepts, theories, and analytical tools that serve both in national and international markets. |
3 |
| 3 |
They are able to apply advanced valuation models to estimate the price of different financial assets as well as evaluate multinational business firms. |
3 |
| 4 |
They are able to apply different investment techniques and form portfolios that would generate higher returns by decreasing the unsystematic risk level. |
4 |
| 5 |
They have advanced knowledge of the regulatory framework and functioning of the banking system, international banking, central banking and the conduct of monetary policy. |
1 |
| 6 |
They are able to conduct advanced financial analysis and use the results in the decision-making process of business firms. |
1 |
| 7 |
They are able to understand and use advanced economic theories and tools to solve economic problems in banking and financial services industry. |
2 |
| 8 |
They have the ability to utilize accounting, financial and economic data as well as other information to solve complex and unstructured business problems by using advanced econometric and statistical models. |
5 |
| 9 |
They develop their ability to think critically, do advanced and independent research, analyze, interpret results, draw conclusions, and communicate effectively, both individually and as part of a team. |
4 |
| 10 |
They are provided with opportunities to acquire the necessary skills and competencies to move on to further study within the discipline. |
4 |
