Course Catalog

Fall 2019

• Economics

  E700: Mathematics for Ecomomists

  6 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Andreas Neuenkirch

  
  

  Course Type: core course

  Course Number: E700

  Credits: 6

  Prerequisites

  Basic mathematical knowledge

  Course Content

  The course consists of four chapters:

  • Chapter 1: basic mathematical concepts like sets, functions and relations are introduced and discussed. Strict mathematical reasoning is explained and applied.
  • Chapter 2: covers the concept of metric and normed spaces and discusses the convergence of sequences in these spaces, the continuity of functions, and the concept of compact sets.
  • Chapter 3: deal with vector spaces. matrix algebra, linear transformation, and eigenvalues of matrices.
  • Chapter 4: covers a multivariate concept of differentiability and its application in solving unconstraint and constrained optimization problems.

  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades

  Exam (120 min)

  The exam takes place on October 2 2019, 3:30–5:30 pm in EW242 Otto Mann Hörsaal (Schloss Ehrenhof West).

  Competences acquired

  The students know basic mathematical concepts of analysis and linear algebra. They can interpret mathematical formulas that are written in the condensed mathematical syntax. The students understand the concept of a proof and can develop rigorous mathematical proofs in a elementary level. They understand abstract mathematical concepts like metric spaces and linear spaces and are able to comprehend argumentation on basis of abstract mathematical concepts. They are able to apply their knowledge; especially they are familiar with the calculation of limits and derivatives, the methods of linear algebra, and they can solve nonlinear optimization problems. The students are able to communicate their mathematical knowledge in English.

   

  Teaching Assistants

  Exercise Group 1 & 3: Can Çelebi (CDSE)

  Exercise Group 2 & 4: Giovanni Ballarin (CDSE)

  Download supplemental material >>

   

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	02.09.19 – 23.09.19	Monday	10:15 – 11:45	A5, 6, C015
  Lecture	03.09.19 – 24.09.19	Tuesday	10:15 – 11:45	A5, 6, C015
  Lecture	04.09.19 – 25.09.19	Wednesday	10:15 – 11:45	A5, 6, C014
  Lecture	05.09.19 – 26.09.19	Thursday	10:15 – 11:45	B6, 30–32, E-F, 308
  Written exam	02.10.19	Wednesday	15:30 – 17:30	EW242 Otto Mann Hörsaal (Schloss Ehrenhof West)
  Retake Exam	11.12.19	Wednesday	15:30 – 17:30	A 5, 6, C 012
  Tutorial
  Group 1	02.09.19 – 23.09.19	Monday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 304
  Group 2	02.09.19 – 23.09.19	Monday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 303
  Group 3	02.09.19 – 23.09.19	Monday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 304
  Group 4	02.09.19 – 23.09.19	Monday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 303
  Group 1	03.09.19 – 24.09.19	Tuesday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 304
  Group 2	03.09.19 – 24.09.19	Tuesday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 301
  Group 3	03.09.19 – 24.09.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 304
  Group 4	03.09.19 – 24.09.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 301
  Group 1	04.09.19 – 25.09.19	Wednesday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 304
  Group 2	04.09.19 – 25.09.19	Wednesday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 303
  Group 3	04.09.19 – 25.09.19	Wednesday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 304
  Group 4	04.09.19 – 25.09.19	Wednesday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 305
  Group 1	05.09.19 – 26.09.19	Thursday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 301
  Group 2	05.09.19 – 26.09.19	Thursday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 23–25, A 302
  Group 3	05.09.19 – 26.09.19	Thursday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 304
  Group 4	05.09.19 – 26.09.19	Thursday	15:30 – 17:00	B6, 23–25, A 302

  E701: Advanced Microeconomics I

  8 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Nicolas Schutz

  
  

  Course Type: core course

  Course Number: E701

  Credits: 8

  Prerequisites

  Prerequisites

  E700

   

  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades

  • Written exam: 120 min (90% weighting)
  • Exercises (10% weighting)

  Course Content

  The course gives a foundation for studies in microeconomics at the Ph.D. level. The first part is devoted to decision theory. It is organized as follows:

  1. Choice, preferences and utility

  2. Choice under uncertainty: Expected utility

  3. Utility for money

  4. Behavioral models of choice under uncertainty

   

  The second part covers game theory and is organized as follows:

  5. Static games of complete information: Rationalizability and iterated strict dominance

  6. Static games of complete information: Nash equilibrium

  7. Static games of incomplete information

  8. Dynamic games: The extensive form

  9. Dynamic games: Equilibrium concepts

   

  Competences acquired

  The students will acquire the basic tools for graduate-level microeconomic analysis. They will learn how to model decision-making and strategic interactions. They will acquire important mathematical skills used in decision theory and game theory. They will be able to apply that theory to their own research and to read recent developments in the field. The concepts learned in the course serve as building blocks for more advanced topics such as the ones covered in Advanced Microeconomics II and III, and also for macroeconomics and empirical economics. Students also learn how to write rigorous formal proofs to address microeconomic questions.

   

  Textbook references

  • Fudenberg, D & Tirole, J. (1991). Game Theory. MIT Press
  • Kreps, D. (2012). Microeconomic Foundation 1: Choice and Competitive Markets. Princeton University Press.
  • Mas- Colell, A. Whinston, M.D. & Green, J. (1995). Microeconomic Theory. Oxford University Press.
  • Osborne M. and Rubinstein, A. (1994): A Course in Game Theory. MIT Press

   

  Contact Information

  Nicolas Schutz; Phone: (0621) 181 1872; email: schutz@uni-mannheim.de, Office: 3–10, Office hours: by appointment.

   

  Teaching Assistant

  Can Çelebi

  ---

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	07.10.19 – 02.12.19	Monday	10:15 – 11:45	L9, 1–2, 004
  Lecture	09.10.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, 001
  Written Exam	09.12.19	Monday	10:15 – 12:15	Schloss O 129
  Retake Exam	27.01.20	Monday	10:15 – 12:15	B6, 30–32, 211
  Tutorial
  Tutorial	09.10.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	12:00 – 13:30	B6,30–32, 110
  Tutorial	10.10.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	12:00 – 13:30	B6, 30–32, 309

  E702: Advanced Macroeconomics I

  8 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Klaus Adam

  Husnu C. Dalgic

  
  

  Course Type: core course

  Course Number: E702

  Credits: 8

  Prerequisites

  E700

  Course Content

  Goals and Contents of the Module:

  This course provides an introduction to the foundations of modern macroeconomic analysis. The main object of this course will be structural dynamic models where households' preference, firms' technology, and market structure are explicitly specified. The behaviors of agents in the model economy are derived based on microeconomic foundations. The macroeconomic aggregates are then determined by aggregating individuals' micro-founded decisions. We will consider some applications as well.

  
  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS credits and grades:

  • Problem sets (15%)
  • Midterm (90 min, 35%)
  • Final exam (120 min, 50%)

  
  Literature:

  • Stokey, Nancy, and Robert Lucas with Edward Prescott (1989): Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics. Harvard University Press.
  • Ljungqvist, Lars, and Thomas J. Sargent. (2012) Recursive macroeconomic theory. MIT press.
  • Acemoglu, Daron (2009): Introduction to Modern Economic Growth, Princeton University Press.

  Competences acquired

  Expected Competences acquired after Completion of the Module:

  At the end of the semester, students are expected to be familiar with the basic methodology such as recursive methods and dynamic programming as well as the basic macroeconomic models.

   

  Teaching Assistant

  Timo Reinelt

   

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	08.10.19 – 03.12.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, S031
  Lecture	09.10.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P044
  Written Exam	12.12.19	Thursday	10:15 – 12:15	Schloss O 129
  Retake exam	30.01.20	Thursday	10:15 – 12:15	B6, 30–32, 211
  Tutorial
  Tutorial 1	09.10.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	13:45 – 15:15	L7, 3–5, P 043
  Tutorial 2	10.10.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	13:45 – 15:15	L7, 3–5, P 043

  E703: Advanced Econometrics I

  8 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Christoph Rothe

  
  

  Course Type: core course

  Course Number: E703

  Credits: 8

  Prerequisites

  E700

  Course Content

  The goal of the module is to offer advanced treatment to econometric theory and to serve as the gateway to further advanced theoretical and applied econometric modules offered in the economics graduate program at the Department of Economics in Mannheim.
  In the module an introduction will be given to the probabilistic framework of econometric theory.
  In the first part, basic notions of probability theory with their measure theoretical background are explained: probability measure, random variables, expectations, conditional expectations, notions of convergence and basic limit theorems.
  The second part will be devoted to the formal derivation of theoretical foundations of linear regression models. The theory of the first part is then applied to obtain asymptotic properties of parameter estimators and to set up statistical tests in this framework.
  The module gives training in the use of mathematical arguments in the theory of asymptotic econometrics.
  
  Requirements for the Assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades:
  
  written exam, 120 min,
  regular attendance required
  
  
  Literature:

  • Hayashi, F. (2000). Econometrics. Princeton University Press.
  • Jacod, J. and Protter, P. (2000). Probability Essentials. Springer.

  Competences acquired

  On successful completion of the module, students are expected to attain the following competences:

  • Attain advanced theoretical knowledge in econometrics in the specific topics the module covers.
  • Be familiar with current theories and recent developments in the specific topics of focus for the module.
  • Attain a higher/advanced level of analytical capability.
  • Attain knowledge in the probabilistic background of advanced theoretical econometrics.
  • Be in a position to take on follow-up advanced theoretical and applied econometrics modules.
  • Attain the level of competence that permits independent undertakings in search of new knowledge in the specialist areas the module covers.
  • Attain the level of competence required to carry out (theoretical) research-oriented projects independently.
  • To be in a position to exchange information, ideas, and solutions with experts of the field on a scientific level as well as with laymen.
  • To be able to communicate and to work effectively and efficiently with people and in groups.
  • Graduates are able to communicate precisely in the English specialist language.

   

  Teaching Assistant

  Alexander Kreiß

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	08.10.19 – 03.12.19	Tuesday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, 001
  Lecture	10.10.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, 001
  Written Exam	17.12.19	Tuesday	10:15 – 12:15	Schloss O 129
  Retake Exam	03.02.20	Monday	10:15 – 12:15	B6, 30–32, 211
  Tutorial
  Exercise 1	08.10.19 – 03.12.19	Tuesday	13:45 – 15:15	L7, 3–5, P 043
  Exercise 2	08.10.19 – 03.12.19	Tuesday	17:15 – 18:45	L7, 3–5, P 043

  E800: CDSE Seminar

  12 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Michèle Tertilt

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E800

  Credits: 12

  Prerequisites

  2nd and higher year Ph.D. students from the Center for Doctoral Studies in Economics (CDSE)

  2nd year students from the Master of Economic Research

  Course Content

  Method (hours per week): Colloquium (2 h)

  Duration of the module: 4 semesters

  ECTs awarded after each semester: 3 ECTs

  Schedule

  Seminar
  Seminar	03.09.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, S031
  Seminar	10.09.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044
  Seminar	17.09.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044
  Seminar	01.10.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044
  Seminar	08.10.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044
  Seminar	22.10.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, 001
  Seminar	05.11.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044
  Seminar	12.11.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044
  Seminar	26.11.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044
  Seminar	03.12.19	Tuesday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P 044

  E8004: Reading Course in Environmental Economics (3rd + 4th year)

  2.5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Ulrich Wagner

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8004

  Credits: 2.5

  Prerequisites

  Presentations

  Course Content

  Students will read, present and discuss papers in environmental economics.

  Competences acquired

  • Presentation skills
  • Participation in scientific discourse
  • Absorption of recent research in environmental economics
  • Acquisition of a reading routine

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	12.09.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday, every 14 days	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, 410

  E8010: Econometrics Research Seminar (3rd & 4th Year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Christoph Rothe

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8010

  Credits: 5

  Course Content

  This seminar provides a forum for internal and external speakers to discuss their recent research in econometrics. Students working on either econometrics or an empirical project with a substantive econometric component are welcome to present. Please contact the instructor to set up a date.

  Schedule

  Seminar
  Seminar	05.09.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, S031

  E8012: Macro Reading Group (2nd year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Matthias Meier

  Minchul Yum

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8012

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  Formal: 2nd and higher year Ph.D. students from the Center for Doctoral Studies in Economics (CDSE).
  2nd year students from the Master of Economic Research.
   

  Course Content

  Course Content
  Students are expected to gain knowledge on the frontier of modern quantitative macroeconomic research on growth and business cycles.

  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades

  • Presentation 80%
  • Discussion 20%

  Competences acquired

  Students are expected to gain knowledge on the frontier of modern quantitative macroeconomic research on growth and business cycles.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	02.09.19 – 14.10.19	Monday	13:45 – 15:15	L7, 3–5, P044
  Lecture	02.09.19 – 14.10.19	Monday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P044

  E8017: Macroeconomic Shocks and Propagation: Methods and Applications (2nd year)

  7.5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Matthias Meier

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8017

  Credits: 7.5

  Prerequisites

  E700–703, E801–806

  Course Content

  Course Content

  This course covers both methods and applications in empirical macroeconomics. On the methodological side, we cover structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) models. The focus will be on various identification strategies (e.g., short-run/long-run restrictions, sign restrictions, external instruments), but also inference, factor models, nonlinear models. In addition, we discuss narrative approaches to identify structural shocks and univariate methods to study their propagation. The lectures and assignments introduce a range of applications. Those include the analysis of technology shocks, monetary policy shocks, and fiscal policy shocks.

   

  Teaching Method

  Lecture (2 SWS) and Exercise (1 SWS)

   

  Requirements for the Assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades

  A research paper and regular assignments.

   

  Literature

  Ramey (Handbook of Macroeconomics, 2016, Volume 2A, Chapter 2: Macroeconomic Shocks and Their Propagation)

  Kilian and Lütkepohl (Structural Vector Autoregressive Analysis, 2017; see www-personal.umich.edu/~lkilian/book.html)

  Lütkepohl (New Introduction to Multiple Time Series Analysis, 2005)

  Competences acquired

  The course introduces students to econometric methods and macroeconomic applications with a focus on business cycles.

   

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	02.09.19 – 14.10.19	Monday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, P043
  Lecture	02.09.19 – 14.10.19	Monday	17:15 – 18:45	L7, 3–5, P043
  Lecture	21.10.19	Monday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, P044
  Lecture	21.10.19	Monday	17:15 – 18:45	L9,1–2, 003
  Lecture	10.12.19	Tuesday	13:00 – 16:00	L7, 3–5, P044

  E8019: Market Design: Auctions and Matching Algorithms (2nd year)

  9 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Vitali Gretschko

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8019

  Credits: 9

  Prerequisites

  E601–603

  Course Content

  The digital economy led to many new services where supply is matched with demand for various types of goods and services. More and more people and organizations are now in a position to design market rules that are being implemented in software. The design of markets is challenging as it needs to consider strategic behavior of market participants, psychological factors, and computational problems in order to implement the objectives of a designer. The recent years have led to many new insights and principles for the design of markets, which are beyond traditional economic theory. This course introduces the fundamentals of market design, an engineering field concerned with the design of real-world markets.

  Syllabus

  A. Matching Algorithms

  1. Introduction

  2. The basic matching model

  3. The medical match

  4. Assignment markets

  5. School choice

  6. Course allocation

  7. Kidney exchange

   

  B. Auctions

  1.       Private Value Auctions

  2.       The Revenue Equivalence Principle

  3.       Risk-Averse Bidders

  4.       Budget Constraints

  5.       Asymmetry

  6.       Auctions with Interdependent Values

  7.       Mechanism Design

   

  Grading and ECTS credits

  Exam + Assignments

  Competences acquired

  After participating in the course, the participants understand methods and game-theoretical models of auctions as well as the fundamental problems in the design of matching markets. They are able to assess the properties of different auction formats and matching algorithms, and the results of theoretical and experimental analyses.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	04.09.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	13:45 – 15:15	L7, 3–5, P 044

  E8028: Financial Contract Theory (2nd year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Ernst-Ludwig von Thadden

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8028

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  Advanced Microeconomics I – III

   

  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades: One homework (40%), one research paper about a set of articles (40%), and a presentation (60 minutes) of this paper (20%).

  Course Content

  The course teaches contract theory at the level of the research frontier. It reviews a number of classic topics in contract theory and puts them in an abstract general framework that makes it possible to understand the underlying common structure of these topics. All topics are from finance, but there are many links to other fields of economics. The course therefore also benefits doctoral students in finance and serves as a bridge between the two fields.
  The main topics are:
  1. Contracts and contingent markets, 2. Debt Contracts, 3. Hidden actions, 4. Incomplete contracts and renegotiation.
   

  Competences acquired

  Students are supposed to understand the deep structure of hidden information, hidden actions, and unverifiability problems and the common features shared by these problems. They are able to master the complex technical difficulties arising in the formulation and solution of such problems and can use the tools of contract theory in their own research.
  Students are able to read publications at the research frontier in information economics and contract theory in the fields of finance and related areas and to judge the conceptual value of the approaches taken in these papers. They can communicate their findings to other students and researchers by means of full academic presentation and in research-type articles. They can evaluate the relevance and correctness of technical arguments made in the literature and identify mistakes in publications. They are capable of assessing which arguments are novel and likely to generate intellectual progress, and which ones are just technical firework.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	04.09.19 – 11.09.19	Wednesday	10:30 – 12:00	L9,1–2, 002
  Lecture	17.09.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	10:30 – 12:00	L7,3–5, 410

  E8029: Learning and Expectations Formation in Macroeconomics and Finance (2nd year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Klaus Adam

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8029

  Credits: 5

  Course Content

  This course reviews the implications of relaxing the rational expectations assumption in dynamic
  macroeconomic models. It replaces the rational expectations hypothesis by the view that agents are
  learning and constantly trying to improve their forecasts about payoff‐relevant variables beyond
  their control. The course introduces the decision‐theoretic foundations of learning models, reviews
  the basic theoretical results about the asymptotic behavior of learning models, and presents
  applications of learning models for understanding business cycles and asset price behavior.
  
  The course illustrates how the introduction of learning into otherwise standard dynamic economic
  models generates additional propagation and can significantly enhance their empirical performance.
  The learning approach was initially used to assess the plausibility of rational expectations (RE)
  equilibria by studying whether or not learning convergence towards RE. Recently, more work focuses
  on empirical applications and on policy implications.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	10.10.19	Thursday	13:45 – 15:15	L7, 3–5, S 031
  Lecture	17.10.19	Thursday	13:45 – 17:00	L9, 1–2, 210
  Lecture	24.10.19	Thursday	13:45 – 17:00	B6, 30–32, 211
  Lecture	07.11.19	Thursday	13:45 – 17:00	B6, 30–32, 211
  Exam	21.11.19	Thursday	13:45 – 15:15	B6, 30–32, 211

  E8030: Incentives of Policymakers and Political Selection

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Zohal Hessami

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E8030

  Credits: 5

  Course Content

  The course is intended as a forum to discuss and critically examine current research in the field of Empirical Political Economy. More specifically, the papers discussed in this class deal with the effects of institutions (electoral system, timing of elections, etc.) on the incentives that policymakers have while in office and on the type of politicians that decide to run for office and that are selected into office. Methodologically, the emphasis is on research designs that allow for a causal interpretation and that analyze the effect of political and fiscal institutions on policy outcomes.

  Grading:        50% presentation + 50% referee report

   

  Relevant literature for referee reports

  • De Benedetto, M. A. (2018). Quality of Politicians and Electoral System. Evidence from a Quasi-experimental Design for Italian Cities.  BCAM Working Papers 1802, Birkbeck Centre for Applied Macroeconomics.
  • Bernecker, Andreas & Boyer, Pierre & Gathmann, Christina, 2019. "The Role of Electoral Incentives for Policy Innovation: Evidence from the U.S. Welfare Reform,” CEPR Discussion Papers 13763, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  • Frey, A. (2019). Do Reelection Incentives Improve Policy Implementation? Accountability vs. Political Targeting.                                                                       

  www.andersonfrey.com/uploads/5/9/0/0/59009301/paper_may19.pdf

  • Gamaleiro, M. (2018). Not welcome anymore: the effect of electoral incentives on the reception of refugees. CESifo Working Paper No. 7212.
  • Hangartner, Dominik & Ruiz, Nelson A. & Tukiainen, Janne, 2019. "Open or Closed? How List Type Affects Electoral Performance, Candidate Selection, and Campaign Effort,” Working Paper No. 120, VATT Institute for Economic Research.
  • Lippmann, Q. (2019). Persistence of Incumbents and Female Access to Political Positions. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm

   

  Relevant literature for presentations

  • Besley, T., Folke, O., Persson, T., J. Rickne (2017). Gender Quotas and the Crisis of the Mediocre Man: Theory and Evidence from Sweden. 2017. American Economic Review 107(8): 2204-2242.
  • Cavalcanti, T., G. Daniele, S. Galletta (2018). Popularity shocks and political selection. Journal of Public Economics 165, 201–216.
  • Daniele, G. and B. Geys (2015). Organised Crime, Institutions and Political Quality: Empirical Evidence from Italian Municipalities. Economic Journal 125, F233-F255.
  • Folke, O., Persson, T., J. Rickne (2016). The Primary Effect: Preference Votes and Political Promotions. American Political Science Review 110(3): 559–578.
  • Hyytinen, A., J. Merilainen, T. Saarimaa, O. Toivanen, J. Tukiainen (2017). Public employees as politicians: evidence from close elections. American Political Science Review, forthcoming.
  • Repetto, L. (2018). Political Budget Cycles with Informed Voters: Evidence from Italy. Economic Journal 128, 3320-3353.

  Schedule

  Seminar
  Kick-off meeting	02.09.19	Monday	15:30 – 17:00	L7,3–5, 410
  Individuall presentations	12.11.19	Tuesday	08:30 – 18:30	L9, 1–2, 409

  E820: Experimental Econometrics and RCTs in Development Economics

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Markus Frölich

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E820

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  E700 – E703, E801 – E806

  
  Requirement for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades

  Presentations and seminar paper.

  Course Content

  This block seminar is intended to discuss topics around theoretical as well as applied research in the area of causal inference as well as randomized experiments and experimental design. Students are encouraged to review literature on a topic within this field, and explore if such research field may reflect or support their development of their own PhD project. Seminar topics normally refer to either Econometric Theory, i.e. identification or design development as well as estimators and their properties, or the applicability of methods that are linked to causal identification.

  Contact Person: Prof. Dr. Markus Frölich, froelichmail-uni-mannheim.de

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	04.09.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	12:00 – 13:30	L7,3–5, P 043

  E823: Advanced Time Series Analysis (2nd year)

  9 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Carsten Trenkler

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E823

  Credits: 9

  Prerequisites

  PhD program in economics: E700-E703 and E801-E806.

  Other programs: E700, E703, E803, and E806 or equivalent courses.

  Course Content

  The lecture will focus on multivariate time series models. After reviewing a few issues on (non)stationary univariate time series models discussed in Advanced Econometrics III, we will first deal with stable VAR models and their use for forecasting, Granger causality and impulse response analysis. To this end, we will also discuss important issues on asymptotic- and bootstrap-based inference. Afterwards, we discuss stable VARMA processes and infinite-order VARs. Finally, we consider integrated multivariate processes, i.e. will we deal with unit root econometrics as well as cointegration, including VEC modelling. The course both addresses asymptotic analyses as well as implementation issues. Accordingly, tutorial sessions are also devoted to coding and empirical problems besides addressing theoretical problems. In the last part of the course, participants introduce or discuss in more details (further) model classes by giving presentations and writing a paper. We may cover e.g. Bayesian VARs, structural VARs, factor-augmented VARs, VARMA models, etc.. This course is complementary to the course Structural Vector Autoregessive Analysis offered by Matthias Meier. While the latter course focus on structural modelling approaches from an applied macro perspective, we take an econometric approach and deal with multivariate I(1) approaches, VECM and VARMA models in more detail.

  Grading and assignment of ECTS-credits

  Paper (40 %), presentation (30 %), assignments (30 %)

  Literature

  • Hamilton, J.D. (1994), Time Series Analysis, Princeton University Press
  • Hayashi, F. (2000), Econometrics, Princeton University Pres
  • Lütkepohl (2017), Structural Vector Autoregressive Analysis, CUP
  • Lütkepohl, H. (2005), New Introduction to Multiple Time Series Analysis, Springer
  • Lütkepohl, H. and Krätzig, M. (2004), Applied Time Series Econometrics, CUP
  • Davidson R. and MacKinnon, J.G. (2004) Econometric Theory and Methods, Oxford University Press
  • White, H. (2000), Asymptotic Theory for Econometricians, Academic Press

  ---

  Competences acquired

  The students have acquired the necessary demanding econometric, statistical and mathematical techniques to understand and solve theoretical problems in uni-variate and multiple, time series analysis, i.e. in special fields of Econometrics. They are able to understand methodologically demanding specialist literature and, based on that, can extend their methodological knowledge independently. They are able to sort out relevant literature for problem solving, i.e. they can analyze and synthesise the special literature. The students have acquired basic tools for empirical time series analysis and can understand empirical time series literature. Based on their methodological expertise, they are able to independently extend their knowledge in order to conduct own empirical analyses. The students can formulate research questions, are able to analyze and address them, and and can present, discuss, and defend research results in written and oral form.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  Lecture	02.09.19 – 02.12.19	Monday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P043
  Lecture	05.09.19 – 05.09.19	Thursday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, P043

  E839: Topics in Macroeconomics (3rd & 4th Year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Andreas Gulyas

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E839

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  First and second year PhD courses.

  Requirements for the assignment: Presenting of Research Projects

  Course Content

  Research seminar where Ph.D. students, who have completed their course work, present their own research and receive feedback. Occasionally we will also have an outside speaker.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	05.09.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	12:00 – 13:30	L7, 3–5, P044

  E841: Theory of Industrial Organization (2nd year)

  7,5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Volker Nocke

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E841

  Credits: 7,5

  Prerequisites

  All first-year PhD courses

  Course Content

  Goals and Contents of the module: PhD-level course of the modern theory of industrial organization. Topics include monopoly pricing, static and dynamic oligopoly, collusion, mergers, industry dynamics, vertical relations.

  Requirements for the Assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades

  Written exam (100 %)

  Competences acquired

  Acquisition of a deep understanding of the key topics, seminal models, and frontiers of research in theoretical industrial organization.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	03.09.19 – 03.12.19	Tuesday	10:15 – 13:30	L7, 3–5, P043

  E846: PhD Reading Course in Industrial Organization (3rd & 4th Year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Volker Nocke

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E846

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  E700-E703, E801-E806

  Requirements for the Assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades

  Presentation (100 %).

  Course Content

  This seminar is aimed at PhD students writing their dissertation in Industrial Organization. It is intended to guide students at all stages of dissertation research. The emphasis be on presentation and discussion of material by students.

  Competences acquired

  Doctoral Students will know how to

  • identify a research question,
  • put a research question into context of the relevant literature,
  • present their current stage of research to their peers in a seminar environment.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	04.09.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	12:00 – 13:30	L7, 3–5, P044

  E854: Topics in Mechanism Design (2nd year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Thomas Tröger

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E854

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  First-year sequence in the Economics PhD program

  Course Content

  Students will read, present and discuss current research concerning the optimal design of mechanisms.

  Grading and assignment of ECTS-credits: Presentations

  Competences acquired

  On successful completion of the module, students are expected to attain the following competences:

  • Presentation skills
  • Participation in scientific discourse
  • Absorption of recent research in mechanism design
  • Acquisition of a reading routine

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	05.09.19 – 24.10.19	Thursday	12:00 – 13:30	L7, 3–5, P043
  	06.11.19	Wednesday	10:15 – 11:45	L9,1–2, 002
  	07.11.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	12:00 – 13:30	L7, 3–5, P043

  E866: Research Seminar in Economic Policy (3rd & 4th year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Hans Peter Grüner

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E866

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  E700-E703, E801-E806

   

  Course Content

  Students present and discuss policy related economic research.

   

  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades

  At least one presentation. Students who wish to obtain ECTS credits should sign up for the course, students who do not wish to obtain credits should not sign up for the course.

  Competences acquired

  Students learn to apply economic theory and quantitative methods to policy problems.

   

  Further information: Students who would like to participate should contact Hans Grüner before the beginning of the semester
  Contact Information: Prof. Dr. Grüner, Phone: (0621) 181-1886, email: gruener@uni-mannheim.de, Office: L7, 3–5, room 2–06

  Schedule

  Seminar
  	02.09.19 – 03.12.19	Monday	17:20 – 18:50	L7, 3–5, P 044

  E873: Research Seminar in Public Economics (3rd & 4th year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Eckhard Janeba

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E873

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  E700-E703, E801-E806

  Course Content

  Goals and Contents of the module:
  Presentation and discussion of current research in public economics (external and internal speakers)

  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades: Oral presentation of own reserach, contribution to discussion of other perticipants' reserach; only pass/ fail.

   

  Competences acquired

  Improve presentations skills, obtain feedback to improve research paper.

  Schedule

  Seminar
  	03.09.19 – 03.12.19	Tuesday	12:00 – 13:30	L9, 1–2, 003

  E877: Behavioural Game Theory (and Experiments) (2nd year)

  4 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Jörg Oechssler

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E877

  Credits: 4

  Prerequisites

  First year courses

  Course Content

  The course introduces the recent literature on behavioural game theory and learning:

  Information Cascades

  Quantal- response equilibrium

  Level- k theories

  Fictious Play

  Reinforcement Learning

  Experience weighted attraction learning

  Imitation

   

  Grading and assignment of ECTS credits

  Written exam (90 min)

   

  Literature
  Fudenberg, D. and D. Levine (1998) “The Theory of Learning in Games”, Cambridge, Mass.: MIT- Press

  Colin Camerer (2003) “Behavioral Game Theory: Experiments in Strategic Interaction”, Princeton University Press

   

  Competences acquired

  Expected competences acquired after completion of the module: Students should be able to read and understand the literature on learning in games. They should acquire several necessary theoretical and experimental tools that can be a starting point for independent Ph.D.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	15.10.19 – 03.12.19	Tuesday	13:45 – 15:15	L9, 1–2, 002

  E878: Advanced PhD Seminar in Experimental Economics (3rd & 4th Year)

  5 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Henrik Orzen

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E878

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  E700- E703, E801- E806

  Course Content

  In this seminar participants present and discuss their current research as well as ideas for future research. An important goal of the seminar is to provide a forum for students working on projects that use experimental methods or relate to themes in behavioral economics.

   

  Grading and assignment of ECTS credits

  Presentation and active participation

   

  Further information

  If you are interested in the seminar, please contact Henrik Orzen.

  Competences acquired

  Designing laboratory or field experiments; Executing research projects; Presenting own research results.

  Schedule

  Seminar
  	04.09.19 – 04.12.19	Wednesday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, P044

  E883: Topics and Projects in Experimental Economics (2nd year)

  10 ECTS

  Lecturer(s)

  Henrik Orzen

  Wladislaw Mill

  
  

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E883

  Credits: 10

  Prerequisites

  E700-E703, E801-E806

  Course Content

  This module intends to introduce PhD students to current topics in Experimental  and Behavioral Economics and to familiarize them with recent advances in the field. The course will be delivered via a mix of lectures, joint readings of papers, in-class discussions and project work. The lectures will provide introductions to various topics and give relevant background information. Selected papers from the recent relevant literature will be discussed in depth. For this to work all participants will have to read specific papers in advance of individual meetings. Over the course of the semester each student is expected to lead the in-class discussion of two of the papers. The module will also provide a forum for students to discuss research ideas and preliminary work. In fact, students are expected to develop a research project of their own and present their advances, experimental design or data. This can be done individually or in pairs.

   

  Grading and assignment of ECTS credits

  This course employs a pass/fail policy. Criteria for assessment: Develop own research project (individually or in pairs). Active participation and engagement in the discussion.

  Competences acquired

  Advanced understanding of experimental methods; Acquiring knowledge about currently discussed research questions in the experimental literature; Developing a research agenda.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	05.09.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	15:30 – 17:00	L7, 3–5, P043
  	05.09.19 – 05.12.19	Thursday	17:15 – 18:45	L7, 3–5, P043

  E891: International Trade (2nd year)

  5 ECTS

  Course Type: elective course

  Course Number: E891

  Credits: 5

  Prerequisites

  This course is targeted to second-year Ph.D. students in economics. Students are expected to have completed first-year micro and macro theory courses.

  Course Content

  This course is an introduction to international trade at the Ph.D. level. The first part of the course will have a lecture structure and we will discuss the core models of modern international trade theory. We will study neoclassical trade models, i.e., the Ricardian- and Heckscher-Ohlin models  and then move to trade models with imperfect competition. Particular emphasis will be given to models with firm-level heterogeneity. We will also cover the role of multinational firms and the effects of offshoring.
  The second part of the course will be organized as a seminar: depending on the number of participants, either students will present papers at the research frontier or there will be a reading group format. Topics covered depend on the students’ interest.

   

  Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades

  Class room participation, problem sets, oral presentation.

  Competences acquired

  Students will be familiar with the core models and methods used in modern research in international trade. They will know the research frontier in this field and will be able to start independent research projects that may lead to a dissertation in international trade.

  Schedule

  Lecture
  	03.09.19 – 19.11.19	Tuesday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, 410
  	26.11.19	Tuesday	10:15 – 11:45	SO 133 (Schloss Schneckenhof Ost)
  	03.12.19	Tuesday	10:15 – 11:45	L7, 3–5, 410