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The George Washington University has a wealth of economics courses directly related to international economic policy at the master's level. (Please contact the Department of Economics for information about PhD courses.)
Below is a list of regularly offered courses, along with recent syllabi. All courses assume current knowledge of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Special topics courses (Econ 295) are offered occasionally.
Masters Courses
Econ 250 Survey of Economic Development.
An introduction to economic problems faced by less developed countries. Emphasis placed on applications to policy-making and evaluation. This course provides students with a survey of major theoretical and empirical economic analyses that seek to explain and to devise policies to support economic development in less developed countries, with a particular focus on understanding and alleviating extreme poverty. Students will learn to "think like an economist" about problems and solutions of poverty and economic
development, and to make use of some of the key modeling frameworks of development economics, so as to be able to apply these ideas as development professionals.
Sample syllabus (Fall 2007, Smith)
Econ 280 Survey of International Economics.
The course is divided into two sections. The first half (lasting roughly seven weeks) will focus on international trade topics. These include the effects of trade on an economy, the economic consequences of protectionism and the institutional and legal structures of international trade in goods and services. The second half of the course (lasting for the balance of the semester) will involve international financial issues. These include the determination of exchange rates, international capital flows, balance of payments accounts and fixed versus flexible exchange rate regimes.
Sample syllabus (Fall 2007, Moore) (Fall 2007, Suranovic)
Econ 283 Survey of International Trade Theory and Policy.
This course is an introduction to international trade theory and policy. The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical background in economics that will allow them to analyze current trade policy questions. Material covered includes economic theory but also institutions and legal frameworks that govern the current international trading system. For example, students will understand both the economic impact of free trade agreements but also current US approaches to these agreements and the WTO rules that influence how they are negotiated. For graduate students in fields other than economics. Survey of international economics and policy; application of comparative advantage and other arguments for trade; impact of trade on a domestic economy; new arguments for protectionism; regional trading blocs. Sample syllabus (Fall 2007, Moore) (Summer 2007, Suranovic)
Econ 284 Survey of International Macroeconomics and Finance Theory and Policy.
For graduate students in fields other than economics. The program of this course emphasizes macroeconomic issues and policies in an open-economy setting. It begins with the analysis of national income accounts and the balance of payments. It continues with the analysis of flexible exchange rate regimes and the effects of fiscal and monetary policies on the exchange rate and economic activity. Afterwards, it examines fixed exchange rate regimes. It concludes with a variety of topics in international finance, such as currency crises, international capital flow volatility, and the history of the international monetary system.
Sample syllabus (Spring 2007, Kaminsky) (Spring 2007, Cipriani)
Econ 255 Economics of Technological Change.
Economics of research and development; innovation and growth; the role of government in the development and use of new technology.
Sample syllabus (Fall 2005)
Econ 269 Economy of China Analysis of organization, operation, policies, and problems.
This course is designed to give the student an overview of the problems and opportunities that face the contemporary Chinese economy. Emphasis will be on the last steps China needs to take in its long transition from a socialist to a market-led economy. Issues in the transition will be discussed, the geography and national characteristics of China will be touchen on, and the future outlook addressed. The student will learn how to use basic microeconomics and macroeconomics techniques to analyze China's goods, labor and capital markets. China's experience will serve as a platform from which to better understand economic growth theory, financial market issues, and international trade and investment issues. Implications of China's emergence as a market economy for the East Asian Region and the United States will be addressed. Sample syllabus (Spring 2007, Brown)
Econ 271 Economy of Japan.
This course is designed to give the student an overview of the problems and opportunities that face the contemporary Japanese economy. Students will learn to discriminate between theories that lie behind Japan's unusual boom and bust growth
pattern over past decades and the role of government policy. Views of economists will be supplemented by sociologists, historians, political scientists and technology specialists. Japan will be used as a platform from which key microeconomic and macroeconomic principles can be reviewed and tested. These concepts includes growth theory, fiscal and monetary policy, trade theory, balance of payments, and market competition principles.
Sample syllabus (Fall 2007, Brown)
Econ 285 Economic Development of Latin America.
This course will analyze economic developments in Latin American economies since indepence. Specific instances covered will include the oil boom of the 1970s, the debt crisis of the 1980s, the reform process of the 1990s, the recent financial crises, and the effect of the new political movements to the left and/or to populism. Determinants of economics growth, the relevance of economic growth theories to the region, and human capital, poverty and income distribution will be covered. These topics will be followed by a study of the region's relations with the rest of the world, including issues of trade and relations with international organizations.
Sample syllabus (Fall 2007, Loser & Suarez)
Last updated: Monday, 23 Jun 2008