Syllabus

Title
4443 Specialization Course - Money and Business Cycles
Instructors
ao.Univ.Prof. Dr. Guido Schäfer
Contact details
guido.schaefer@wu.ac.at
Type
PI
Weekly hours
4
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/16/24 to 02/22/24
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Bachelor Programs
Advanced Economics - Money and the Economic Cycle
Specialization Course - Money and the Economic Cycle
Course I - Economics Fields
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Wednesday 03/06/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 03/11/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 03/13/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 03/18/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 03/20/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 04/08/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 04/10/24 02:30 PM - 04:30 PM TC.5.15
Monday 04/15/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 04/17/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 04/22/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 04/24/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 04/29/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Monday 05/06/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 05/08/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 05/13/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 05/15/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Wednesday 05/22/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM TC.4.05
Monday 05/27/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 05/29/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 06/03/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 06/05/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 06/10/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 06/12/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001
Monday 06/17/24 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM TC.5.27
Wednesday 06/19/24 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM D5.1.001

On this page:

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Contents

The course consists of two major parts. In the first half of the semester the focus is on financial markets and institutions. The second half of the course focuses on money and monetary policy. Throughout the semester current developments in the monetary sector and financial markets are discussed. Recent financial crises and the current Covid crisis are analyzed from ´the persepctive of monetary policy and financial regulation

Part 1: Financial Markets and Institutions

  • Understanding risk and return
  • Stock markets and bond markets
  • Portfolio decisions
  • Asset pricing and financial bubbles
  • Banking theory and regulation
  • Financial crises and financial regulation

Part 2: Money

  • Why money? Foundations of monetary theory
  • Monetary policy transmission
  • Money and business cycles
  • New frameworks for monetary and financial stability

Current Topics

  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Central bank strategy reviews
  • Greening central banking

 

 

 
 

 

 

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Learning outcomes

In this course students acquire the skills necessary

  • to understand fundamental concepts about money, the financial sector, and their interaction with the economy,
  • to apply their knowledge to financial investment decisions,
  • to analyze monetary policy and its impact on the economy,
  • to understand key issues regarding financial crises and financial regulation,
  • to assess financial reform after the recent world financial crisis,
  • to read original scientific research papers about money and the financial sector published by internationally renowned top researchers,
  • to access web resources providing key information about money and financial markets,
  • to get adequately prepared for writing a bachelor's thesis about a monetary or financial topic.

The ultimate goal of the course is to strengthen the analytical ability of students to understand complex financial issues both at a conceptual and practical level by using state-of-the-art methods and tools.
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Attendance requirements

The attendance requirement is met if a student is present at least 80% of the time at class.

 
 

 

 

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Teaching/learning method(s)

The backbone of the course is a series of original scientific papers written by renowned economists on money and the financial sector. Early on students are introduced to reading original research papers which opens up a challenging but fascinating intellectual universe for their own independent studies. Smart use of computer and web resources is encouraged. The course design combines elements of interactive lectures, class discussions, self-study of assigned texts, and essay writing.

 

 
 

 

 

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Assessment

Grading: 80% essays (about eight essays, each essay is is equally weighted), 20% direct participation

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Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

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Recommended previous knowledge and skills

The course is self-contained. Key concepts and tools are explained in the course. Prior knowledge in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics is recommended.

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Availability of lecturer(s)

office hours: by appointment (please register via e-mail to guido.schaefer@wu.ac.at)

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Other

 

Last edited: 2023-11-15



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