Courses Global Competencies

Theme and Major Concepts/Theories Introduction to the major concepts, processes and theories of globalization. - South vs. Global North Schism Bottom billion

Projects and Assignments Book Critique Topical working group examining how technology and social media are being used globally. As a group-member, I focused on how mobile money is being used as a way to leapfrog traditional banking for the poor in Haiti. 5-minute presentation on the G24 5-minute presentation on Argentinas manufactured data and the international finance systems reactions Wrote policy brief on how Haiti should strive to reduce political instabilities in order to attract more FDIs.

Skills Learned Ability to critically analyze arguments Ability to present an argument verbally as well as in written form. Ability to critically analyze an issue and provide solutions.

International Financial Institutions and Globalization

Economic Globalization and Development

Examine the role financial institutions play in globalization. Overview of key political forums such as the G-7, G20, etc., and the network of international organizations such as World Bank, IMF, OECD and the WTO. Provide a historical perspective of the rise of the global capitalist system and the debates surrounding globalization and development. History behind the current global system such as Bretton Woods, Export-Led Growth vs. ImportSubstitution, Decolonization, Development, etc Examines the political processes, actors, institutions that interact with the current global economic order. Trade agreements National economic policy Business

Became comfortable with oral presentation as well as ways to prepare for presentations. Learned how to write a policy brief.

Global Political Economy

Critique of Suzanne Berger article, Globalization and Politics Critique of Michael Rosss The Political Economy of the Resource Curse 18-page argumentative paper analyzing the different approaches recently developed countries, mainly the newly industrialized countries of East Asia (NICs), have taken and the policies some LDCs have been prescribed to enact in order to be industrialized. Analyzed which set of policies have had the best success stories. Through Harvard Business Case studies, closely examined national economic policies and their effects. Countries examined included the followings: Botswanas diamond industry, Brazils social reforms; and Mexicos national economic policies and

Learned how to concisely present an argument and critique its weaknesses by providing rebuttals to the argument while also recognizing the strengths of the argument. From the skills learned from the first two assignments, I was able to articulate my own argument regarding the most efficient type of economic policies for developing countries.

Through the Harvard business case studies as well as my project on Mexico, I was able to understand how economic policies do affect firms and markets. This skill has provided me with the ability to analyze the effect of how economic policies affect firms.

competition Theory of balance of payments Foreign direct investments World Banks role in development International relations and development

Nations and Globalization: The Republic of Georgia From Theory to Case Study

Case study examining the Republic of Georgias place within globalization. Program focused on analyzing statebuilding, nationalization.

Research Methods in Cultural Studies

Investments& Macroeconomics

Class introduced students to anthropological research methods used in cultural studies. Emphasis on library and internet research. Introductory class on macroeconomic theories.

the effects of those policies on Mexican firms competiveness. Closely examined Mexicos national economic policy reforms and presented on the effect of anti-trust and competition laws on the telecommunication sector in Mexico. Argued that due to lack of competition Mexico has allowed the monopoly of the telecommunication sector. Mexico has the lowest mobile phone concentration within Latin American and the Caribbean even in comparison with poorer countries such as Haiti and Bolivia. For final project, examined Haitis policies on Foreign Direct Investment. 20- page paper analyzing the Saakashvilis government use of World Bank Ease of Doing Business to attract Foreign Direct Investment. In paper, I will argue that although Georgia has remarkably performed well on the World Banks EDB, the rankings have not independently affect the economy of Georgia Wrote an argumentative paper about how tourism is used by disenfranchised cultural agents as an (Imagined) bargaining power.

Given the skills learned in the first half of the class, I did a case study on Haitis FDI policies examining Haitis competitiveness, the type of industries the government is trying to attract and the possible effects. Used development and business indicators to support my claims.

This study abroad program provided me with the opportunity to observe a phenomenon in real life, i.e., studying in the Republic of Georgia, and using my research skills to formulate an argument of my observations.

Became even more critical about social processes by learning how to pay more attention to details.

Macroeconomic policy debate: had to debate the effectiveness of Obamas fiscal policies on the 2008 U.S recession.

The debate regarding Obamas fiscal policies provided me with the opportunity of how to form an argument even when the stance you are debating for is not popularly accepted. Additionally, I learned that in debates, arguments are based on operation definition. For

Methods in International Commerce & Policy

Capstone Research Seminar: World Views and Evidence

Quantitative class which focuses on analyzing economic indicators. Methods of calculating balance of payments; tariff revenue, ad valorem, equivalent as well as many other economic indicators. Capstone class of Masters program. Provide theoretical framework for conducting research.

Students selected a topic of their interest to further explore using the methods that were taught in class for research project. Final Project will examine how microfinance is being used for womens financial inclusion and the macroeconomic effects of microfinance.

example, arguing that Obamas fiscal policies have led to the recovery of the U.S economy is different from arguing that his policies have prevented a double recession, based on economic indicators. Ability to understand shortcomings of data. For example, using balance of trade to compare and contrast the U.S economy to that of China would be myopic because the balance of trade does not give you a complete picture of both countries economy.

Bi-weekly assignments incorporating main concepts of class. For example using the concept of epistemology, students were able to analyze their own worldviews and what factors have led to those worldviews. Capstone research project will examine the determinant factors behind the Government of Haitis acceptance of economic foreign aid. This is an important relationship to study because the debate around foreign aid usually focuses on the effectiveness of aid and although most economic studies show that it is ineffective, foreign aid is continuously being used. Therefore, instead of focusing on its effectiveness, I have decided to examine why recipient countries accept aid in order to bring a new understanding to the debate.

This class allowed me to use all of the skilled mentioned in this column to design a capstone research project. Further, I learned more about the validity of using qualitative methods to study phenomena and how data availability affects the social processes we wish to explain.