Credit: Anna Logue
Fall 2023
-
Economics
E700: Mathematics for Economists (1st year)6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: E700Credits: 6Prerequisites
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)
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
So Jin Lee and Chang Liu
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 04.09.23 – 25.09.23 Monday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Lecture 05.09.23 – 26.09.23 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Lecture 06.09.23 – 27.09.23 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Lecture 07.09.23 – 28.09.23 Thursday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Exam 06.10.23 – 06.10.23 Friday 08:00 – 10:00 Palace, Room SN 163 Retake exam 04.12.23 – 04.12.23 Monday 10:00 – 12:00 B 6, 30–32, E-F, Room 212 Tutorial Group 1 04.09.23 – 25.09.23 Monday 13:45 – 15:15 L 7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 2 04.09.23 – 25.09.23 Monday 13:45 – 15:15 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 310 Group 3 04.09.23 – 25.09.23 Monday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 4 04.09.23 – 25.09.23 Monday 15:30 – 17:00 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 310 Group 1 05.09.23 – 26.09.23 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 L 7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 2 05.09.23 – 26.09.23 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 211 Group 3 05.09.23 – 26.09.23 Tuesday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 4 05.09.23 – 26.09.23 Tuesday 15:30 – 17:00 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 211 Group 1 06.09.23 – 27.09.23 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 L 7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 2 06.09.23 – 27.09.23 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 310 Group 3 06.09.23 – 27.09.23 Wednesday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 4 06.09.23 – 27.09.23 Wednesday 15:30 – 17:00 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 310 Group 1 07.09.23 – 28.09.23 Thursday 13:45 – 15:15 L 7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 2 07.09.23 – 28.09.23 Thursday 13:45 – 15:15 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 310 Group 3 07.09.23 – 28.09.23 Thursday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5 Room P044 Group 4 07.09.23 – 28.09.23 Thursday 15:30 – 17:00 B6, 30–32 (E-F), Seminar room 310 E701: Advanced Microeconomics I (1st year)8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: E701Credits: 8Prerequisites
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: L7, 3–5, room 321, Office hours: by appointment.
Teaching Assistant
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 09.10.23 – 04.12.23 Monday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Lecture 11.10.23 – 06.12.23 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Exam 18.12.23 – 18.12.23 Monday 11:30 – 13:30 Schloss SO 148 MVV Hörsaal Retake exam 26.01.24 – 26.01.24 Friday 10:00 – 12:00 L9, 7, Room 308 Tutorial Tutorial 11.10.23 – 06.12.23 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5 Room P044 Tutorial 12.10.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5 Room P044 E702: Advanced Macroeconomics I (1st year)8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: E702Credits: 8Prerequisites
E700
Course Content
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
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 12.10.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Lecture 13.10.23 – 08.12.23 Friday 08:30 – 10:00 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Exam 14.12.23 – 14.12.23 Thursday 08:30 – 10:30 Schloss SO 148 MVV Hörsaal Retake exam 24.01.24 – 24.01.24 Wednesday 10:00 – 12:00 L 9, 1–2, Room 002 Tutorial Tutorial 16.10.23 – 05.12.22 Monday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5 Room P044 Tutorial 17.10.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5 Room P044 E703: Advanced Econometrics I (1st year)8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: E703Credits: 8Prerequisites
E700
Course Content
The goal of the module is to offer advanced treatment of 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.
Topics covered in this module include asymptotic theory (basic probability concepts, modes of convergence, limit theorems), point estimation (general principles, maximum likelihood, extremum estimation, generalized method of moments), hypothesis testing (general principles, local power analysis, confidence sets), linear regression (general principles, causality, standard errors, regularization), instrumental variables (IV estimation, weak instruments, heterogenous effects), and the bootstrap. The module also gives training in the use of mathematical arguments econometrics.
Requirements for the Assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades
written exam, 120 min
Literature- Hansen (2022). Econometrics
- Hansen (2022). Probability and Statistics for Economists
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
Giovanni Ballarin
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 10.10.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5 Room 001 Lecture 12.10.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3 – 5, Room 001 Exam 11.12.23 – 11.12.23 Monday 10:00 – 12:00 Schloss SO 145 Heinrich Vetter Hörsaal Retake exam 22.01.24 – 22.01.24 Monday 10:00 – 12:00 L 9, 1–2, Room 002 Tutorial Tutorial 11.10.23 – 06.12.23 Wednesday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5, Room P044 Tutorial 03.11.23 – 03.11.23 Friday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5, Room P044 ACC 923: Corporate Sustainability and Decarbonization3 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: ACC 923Credits: 3Course Content
This seminar is aimed at doctoral students at GESS. The seminar hosts speakers from academia and industry to discuss latest advances and challenges that companies face in the transition towards more sustainable business practices and net carbon emissions of zero. Topics covered include the economics and management of sustainability activities and emission abatement strategies across all sectors of the economy.
Course participants need to attend the seminar talks and the internal sessions. In the internal sessions, students are asked to present a paper and/
or take the role of a discussant. Readings may additionally include recent theory or empirical papers. Learning outcomes: The primary objective of the course is to introduce students to current research paradigms on the covered topics and to identify promising avenues for future research. Moreover, students receive a training on how to present and evaluate papers in seminars and conferences.
Form of assessment: Participation (20%), Paper presentations and discussions (80%)
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 04.09.23 – 04.12.23 Monday 17:15 – 18:45 O 129 E800: CDSE Seminar (2nd & 3rd year)12 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E800Credits: 12Prerequisites
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 05.09.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5, Room 001 E8004: Reading Course in Environmental Economics (3rd & 4th year)2.5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8004Credits: 2.5Prerequisites
First-year sequence in the Economics PhD program.
Requirements for the Assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades:
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
Seminar Seminar 11.09.23 – 04.12.23 Monday, every two weeks 13:45 – 15:15 L9, 1–2, Room 002 E8010: Econometrics Research Seminar (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8010Credits: 5Course 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.
Contact informatIon: Christoph Rothe, Phone: (0621) 181-1921, email: rothe@vwl.uni-mannheim.de, Office 1.11, L7,3–5, Office hours: by appointment
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 07.09.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 15:30 – 17:00 L9, 1–2, Room 003 E8013: Search Theory and Labor Markets (2nd year)6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8013Credits: 6Prerequisites
Successful completion of the first year sequence.
Requirements for the assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades: Take home exam/
homeworks and student presentations Course Content
We will cover search theoretic models and their applications to labor markets. In addition to learning several generations of search models, we will also discuss related empirical labor market papers.
The class will consist of lectures where search theoretic models are presented and discussed. These will comprise amongst others:
- The McCall search model
- The Diamond-Mortensen-Pissarides model
- Random and directed search models
- Block-recursive equilibria
- Stock-Flow matching
- Search models with two sided heterogeneity with sorting.
In addition to providing the theoretical foundations, we will also study a number of applications of these models to mostly labor market questions. These include sources of wage inequality, earnings losses of displaced workers, minimum wage laws, optimal unemployment insurance amongst others.
Through student presentations, we will get to know recent published and working papers related to labor markets and search theory. The selection of the papers will be mostly related to labor markets, but can be tailored towards the interests of the students.
Competences acquired
Upon successful complete, students will be familiar with the cutting edge search models commonly used in a variety of economic fields ranging from labor economics, monetary econ, finance and family econ amongst many others. Students will be familiar with papers at the research frontier and potential avenues for future research
Literature/
recommended textbooks - Ljungqvist and Sargent. Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, third edition, 2012
- Christopher A Pissarides. Equilibrium unemployment theory. MIT press, 1990
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 07.09.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 15:30 – 17:00 L7, 3–5, P043 Seminar 08.09.23 – 19.10.23 Thursday 17:15 – 18:45 L7, 3–5, P043 E8034: Machine Learning for Economists (2nd year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8034Credits: 5Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Course Content
The course is an introduction to modern machine learning (ML) methods for economists. In particular, we will discuss methods from the world of supervised and unsupervised ML, with an emphasis on the challenges and opportunities of integrating these methods in empirical economics, and the relevance of ML to policy analysis and causal inference.
A core reference for this course will be Hastie, Tibshirani & Friedman (2019), The Elements of Statistical Learning, Springer. Further references and journal articles will be announced in class.
Contact Information: Christoph Rothe; Phone: (0621) 181 1921; email: rothe@vwl.uni-mannheim.de, Office: 1.11, Office hours: by appointment
Competences acquired
Upon course completion, students will be able to understand the idea behind modern machine learning methods, and both their advantages and disadvantages in the context of empirical economic research. They will also be able to apply these methods for their own project. In addition to that, students will acquire knowledge of theoretical foundations behind these methods.
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 04.09.23 – 16.10.23 Monday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5, Room P044 Lecture 05.09.23 – 17.10.23 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E8037: Public Economics I (2nd year)7.5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8037Credits: 7.5Prerequisites
E700-E703 or equivalent
Grading
One 120-minute written exam (100%)
Course Content
This course is intended to be the first part of the two-semester PhD-level Public Economics sequence. The field is large, with significant theoretical and empirical components. The first course covers core ideas in the areas of market failures and public intervention, optimal taxation, provision of public goods, political economy of taxation and redistribution, tax incidence, tax evasion. We consider both normative approaches, that is, we ask what an ideal state would do in order to achieve distributive objectives, as well as positive perspectives, that is, how policies affect outcomes and how they come about. The contents will be mostly but not exclusively theoretical, and the theoretical foundations will work as building blocks for empirical studies which will be covered in more detail in Public Economics II.
Topics to be covered:
Public Goods
Externalities
Price vs. Quantity Regulations
Introduction to Taxation / Tax Incidence
Excess Burden
Optimal Commodity Taxation
Optimal Income Taxation
Taxation of Firms/
Capital Taxation of Mobile Firms and Households
Tax Evasion
Competences acquired
The course introduces the core topics in Public Economics. The course should prove useful for any student interested in analyzing policy issues.
Further information: Lecture notes will be provided.
Useful references:
Gruber, Public Finance and Public Policy, Worth Publishers, 2019
Atkinson and Stiglitz, Lectures on Public Economics, Mc Graw-Hill, 1980
Salanié, Microeconomics of market failures, MIT Press, 2010
Cornes and Sandler, The Theory of Externalities, Public Goods and Club Goods, Cambridge University Press, 2012
Salanié, The economics of taxation, MIT Press, 2011
Myles, Public Economics, Cambridge University Press, 1995
Mas-Collel, Whinston, Green, Microeconomic Theory, Harvard University Press, 1996
Stiglitz, Economics of the Public sector, 3rd Edition, 2000, Norton & Company
Hindriks and Myles, Intermediate Public Economics, MIT Press
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 04.09.23 – 04.12.23 Monday 08:30 – 10:00 L7, 3–5 Room P043 Lecture 06.09.23 – 29.11.23 Wednesday, every two weeks 08:30 – 10:00 L7, 3–5 Room P043 (no lecture on 30.10.23) Lecture 22.11.23 – 22.11.23 Wednesday 08:30 – 10:00 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E8040: Topics in Experimental Econometrics and Causal Inference (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8040Credits: 5Prerequisites
Successful completion of first two years of PhD program
Requirements for the assignment of ECTS Credits and Grades:
A written seminar paper on a topic of own choice and a presentation in class.
Course Content
Research seminar where Ph.D. students, who have completed their course work, present their own research and receive feedback. This 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.
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 Lecture 06.09.23 – 06.12.23 Wednesday 12:00 – 13:30 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E8041: Environmental Economics Research Seminar (3rd & 4th year)2.5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8041Credits: 2.5Course Content
In this seminar, internal and external speakers discuss their recent research in environmental economics. Students working on an empirical or theoretical project that is related to environmental economics are welcome to present. Please contact the instructor to set up a date.
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 05.09.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday, every two weeks 12:00 – 13:30 L9, 1–2, Room 002 E8042: Economic History (2nd year)9 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8042Credits: 9Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Grading
Written exam (100 min, 70%), presentation (20%), discussion participation (10%).
Additional requirements for PhD students
In addition to the regular course work, PhD students have to write a short empirical research paper on a topic that will be developed together with the course instructor (potential data sets are also provided by the course instructor); the regular course work (exam, presentation, and discussion participation) and the research paper account for 50% of the overall grade, respectively.Course Content
Economic history is important to understand long-run economic development, in particular to study the question why some countries are rich and others remain poor. In this course, we focus on selected topics of quantitative economic history that applied economists and economic historians explored in recent years. Topics include trade and the growth of cities, the importance of institutions for economic development, religion, human capital, innovation, market integration, financial development, inequality, and health and epidemics. The lecture (2 hours) gives you an overview on recent empirical research on each topic. In the exercise sessions, we then discuss important research papers in more depth. It is required that every course participant presents a critical discussion of a research paper in the exercise session. The presentation accounts for 20% of the final grade, and the participation in the related discussions accounts for 10% of the final grade.
Competences acquired
Students will acquire thorough knowledge of empirical methods used in modern applied economics and of the main topics of research in economic history. They will be able to apply their knowledge of econometrics in analyzing research questions in economic history and to discuss potential policy implications, for example with respect to development policy. The course also aims at enabling students to critically evaluate research designs they may encounter in their future career.
Further information: I will upload a detailed syllabus (including a list of references) on my website (https://www.vwl.uni-mannheim.de/en/donges/) in July.
Contact: Dr. Alexander Donges; phone: 0621-181-3428; e-mail: donges@uni-mannheim.de; office: L7, 3–5, Raum 403.Schedule
Lecture Lecture 07.09.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 10:15 – 11:45 L9, 1–2, Room 003 Tutorial Exercise 07.09.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 12:00 – 13:30 L9, 1–2, Room 003 E8049: Research Seminar in International Economics (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8049Credits: 5Prerequisites
Core PhD courses, PhD International Trade
Course Content
This is a research seminar for 3rd and 4th year students who are writing their thesis in the field of international economics. Students present their own research projects and we discuss relevant papers in international economics.
Grading:
participation in class (50%), presentations (50%).
Competences acquired
The aim of the course is to follow and guide students during the thesis writing process. The acquired competences will be to develop and structure research projects in international economics, to improve academic writing and presentation skills.
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 05.09.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5, Room P044 E8054: Research in Health and Labor Economics (2nd & 3rd year)10 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8054Credits: 10Prerequisites
E700 – 703, E801 – 806
Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades
Paper presentation: 10%
Research sketches on promising research ideas: 25%
Report on fellow student’s research sketches: 15%
End-of-semester presentation of most promising research sketch: 15%
Extended research sketch on most promising research idea and design: 25%
Class participation: 10%
Course Content
This course has two main objectives: (i) To teach PhD students the process of developing research ideas and carrying out research themselves. (ii) To provide a state-of-the-art overview of research topics at the intersection of health and labor economics.
Competences acquired
- Acquiring an understanding of the process of doing research.
- Acquiring tools and techniques to publish scientific papers in the field of applied economics.
- Learning how to generate and dismiss research ideas.
- Acquiring the ability to write concise and high-quality research sketches and provide constructive feedback on other students’ sketches.
- Obtaining an up-to-date overview of the studies, methods, and findings of the applied economics literature at the interaction of health and labor.
- Applying knowledge from (applied) (micro)econometrics and microeconomic theory to topics in health and labor.
- Improving presentation and communications skills.
- Discussing others’ work in a constructive manner, and to learn how to deal with constructive critique.
Further information
Syllabus will be posted in the first week of class. Readings for each week will be announced each week.
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 05.09.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 L 15, 1–6, Room 314–315 Lecture 07.09.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 08:30 – 10:00 L7, 3–5 Room P044 E8060: Colloquium for Doctoral Students (3rd & 4th year)2.5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8060Credits: 2.5Prerequisites
Dissertation advised by Ager or Ciccone, or by invitation
Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades:
Presentations and papers
Course Content
The course wants to (1) help students start on their dissertation research (2) help students in writing their research papers (3) help students in improving their skills in presenting their research
Grading:
100% weight on presentation and papers
Competences acquired
Develop the ability to start, write up, and present their own research
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 07.09.23 – 19.10.23 Thursday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5, P043 E8061: Nonparametric Methods (2nd year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8061Credits: 5Prerequisites
E700-E703, E803 (or equivalent)
Course Content
This course provides an introduction to nonparametric estimation, viewed from both theoretical and applied perspectives. Nonparametric methods do not rely on the assumption that models can be defined by finite-dimensional parameters. Instead, infinite-dimensional classes of targets under smoothness conditions are considered, such as a class of smooth density functions. The discussed methods are suitable for students who do not possess prior knowledge of the functional structures of the underlying models. The course begins by briefly reviewing density estimation and regression problems based on kernel estimators. It then shifts focus to Series estimation, Nonparametric IV, and Nonparametric identification. The statistical properties of the estimators, including consistency, upper bounds for estimation risk, and asymptotic normality, will be explored. Throughout the course, students will encounter typical phenomena like the curse of dimensionality, which has attracted significant attention and serves as the foundation for numerous develompents in the analysis of big data.
Recommended textbooks:
- Econometrics, Bruce E. Hansen; University of Wisconsin, (2021)
- Semiparametric and nonparametric methods in econometrics, Horowitz. (2009)
- Introduction of Nonparametric Estimation, Tsybakov. (2009)
Grading:
Final exam (90 min, 100%)
Contact information: Name: Prof. Mengshan Xu, PhD.; Email: Mengshan.Xu@uni-mannheim.de; Office: L7, 3–5, room 1.08; Office hours: upon appointment
Competences acquired
Upon completing this course, students will have acquired a working knowledge of classical nonparametric methods for estimating conditional mean functions. They will understand the theoretical background of these methods and become familiar with concepts that enable them to describe and assess the prosperities of estimators. The students will be able to apply the discussed estimation procedures to data using statistical software. Furthermore, they will be aware of the strengths and limitations of the nonparametric techniques introduced throughout the course.
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 23.10.23 – 04.12.23 Monday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5, Room P043 Lecture 24.10.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E8063: Empirical Energy Economics (2nd year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8063Credits: 5Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Course Content
The course will provide an overview of recent empirical research in energy economics. The articles covered mostly employ reduced-form methods for causal inference. More focus will be placed on demand-side applications, with some coverage of supply-side (electricity market) issues as well. Main topics:
- The energy efficiency gap and possible explanations;
- Misaligned incentives for energy efficiency, the “landlord-tenant problem” and policies to address it;
- Discrepancies between projected and realized savings from energy efficiency policies/
programs; - Energy price elasticities in the residential sector;
- Energy price elasticities in manufacturing and commercial sectors;
- Real-time pricing and time-of-use pricing;
- The rebound effect and behavioral factors that may affect energy consumption;
- Targeting energy interventions;
- Overview of electricity markets;
- Electricity markets with expanding renewables and storage capacity.
At the beginning of the term, students will be provided with a syllabus, including a list of required and recommended readings (journal articles, working papers, and handbook chapters).
Grading:
Sketch research proposal (20%); final research proposal (40%); presentation (30%); class participation (10%)
Competences acquired
The course will provide highly specialized knowledge related to empirical applications for energy economics. This knowledge will help students to identify “gaps” in the field and promising new avenues of research. By developing a research proposal, students will enhance their ability to summarize complex information, to perform independent work, and to write to academic audiences. Student presentations will foster the development of communication skills, especially with regards to exchanging ideas, as well as providing and receiving feedback within academic environments.
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 08.09.23 – 08.12.23 Friday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5, Room P044 (06.10.23: L9, 1–2, Room 002) E8064: Topics in Dynamic Macroeconomics for Emerging Economies (2nd year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8064Credits: 5Prerequisites
Successful completion of the first year sequence.
Course Content
The goal of the course is to study the sources of short run economic fluctuations and the main transmission mechanisms in small open economies, with an emphasis on developing countries. After introducing the prototype RBC framework for a small open economy, the course will extend it in several dimensions to account for relevant features in emerging economies, as interest rate and terms of trade shocks, financial frictions, sovereign default, and labor market frictions. For each topic, a formal theoretical framework will be developed together with the tools to solve the models numerically and a review of the empirical evidence. Some applications discussed at the end include the role of labor force participation and the informal sector, real wage rigidities, and consumer’s search.
Grading:
Take home exams (2): 50%
Replication exercise (computational): 25%
Presentation: 25%Reference textbooks (not mandatory):
Uribe, Schmitt-Grohe (2017). “Open Economy Macroeconomics”, Princeton University Press.
Shimer (2010). “Labor Markets and Business Cycles”, Princeton University Press.Competences acquired
Upon completion, students will be able: (i) to deepen their understanding of business cycle fluctuations in emerging economies; (ii) to read the relevant literature and be familiar with the language and the methods used; (iii) to replicate the numerical results obtained in some of the papers reviewed; and (iv) to identify open questions as potential topics for future research.
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 04.09.23 – 04.12.23 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E8066: Topics in Law & Economics5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E8066Credits: 5Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Course Content
In this course we will explore and discuss the latest developments at the intersection between economics and law. The topics discussed on this course will include (but not be limited to) the economics of litigation, products liability, and contracts. The focus will be mostly on theoretical contributions, but we will also discuss empirical results.
The course will be delivered through a combination of introductory lectures and paper discussions lead by students.
Workload: 150 working hours, containing 21 hours of class time and 129 hours of independent study, reading papers and preparing for discussion.
Grading: paper presentations, grades (pass/fail) and credits are assigned based on in-class presentations (70%) and participation (30%).
Competences acquired
Upon successful completion of this course, students will become familiar with the field of law and economics. This includes familiarity with both the fundamental theories and insights, as well as the current debates at the frontier of the field. Students will learn how to critically analyze law and economics papers, both by understanding the methodologies used and assessing the validity of arguments presented. Finally, students will be able to identify novel research questions in the field.
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 04.09.23 – 04.09.23 Monday 17:15 – 18:45 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 06.09.23 – 06.09.23 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 room 410 (L7, 3–5) Lecture 11.09.23 – 11.09.23 Monday 17:15 – 18:45 room 410 (L 7, 3–5) Lecture 13.09.23 – 13.09.23 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 18.09.23 – 18.09.23 Monday 17:15 – 18:45 room 410 (L7, 3–5) Lecture 20.09.23 – 20.09.23 Wednesday 17:15 – 18:45 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 04.10.23 – 04.10.23 Wednesday 17:15 – 18:45 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 09.10.23 – 09.10.23 Monday 17:15 – 18:45 room 410 (L7, 3–5) Lecture 25.10.23 – 25.10.23 Wednesday 17:15 – 18:45 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 15.11.23 – 15.11.23 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 15.11.23 – 15.11.23 Wednesday 17:15 – 18:45 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 22.11.23 – 22.11.23 Wednesday 17:15 – 18:45 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 29.11.23 – 29.11.23 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 room 002 (L9, 1–2) Lecture 29.11.23 – 29.11.23 Wednesday 17:15 – 18:45 room 002 (L9, 1–2) E839: Topics in Macroeconomics (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E839Credits: 5Prerequisites
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 Lecture 07.09.23 – 07.12.23 Thursday 12:00 – 13:30 L7, 3–5, Room P 044 E846: PhD Reading Course in Industrial Organization (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E846Credits: 5Prerequisites
All of the first-year PhD courses
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.
Contact person: Prof. Nicolas Schutz E-Mail: schutzuni-mannheim.de
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
Seminar Seminar 08.09.23 – 08.12.23 Friday 12:00 – 13:30 L7, 3–5, Room P044 (06.10.23: L9, 1–2, Room 002) E859: Institutional Economics and Economic Policy (2nd year)7.5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E859Credits: 7.5Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades:
Written exam (90 minutes)
Course Content
Goals and Contents of the module
The Role of institutions in economic policymaking/
Ordnungspolitik
Overview of the course
Game theory: a short introduction
Mechanism Design
Basic setup
The revelation principle in dominant strategies
The Gibbard Satterthwaite theorem
Bayesian implementation/the revelation principle
Quasilinear environments
VCG mechanisms
AGV mechanisms
Participation constraints
The Myerson Satterthwaite theorem
Robust possibility theorems
Auctions
Optimal mechanisms
Robust mechanism design
Preference aggregation
Theory
Experimental evidence
Information aggregation in committees
Theory
Experimental evidence
Financing public goods
Theory
Experimental evidence
Mechanisms for fiscal stability
Economic policy and credit markets
Mechanisms for monetary policyCompetences acquired
Students learn about theories of information aggregation in institutions. They learn to apply them to practical problems.
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 04.09.23 – 04.12.23 Monday 14:45 – 17:00 L9, 1–2, Room 003 E866: Research Seminar in Economic Policy (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E866Credits: 5Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Course Content
Students present and discuss policy related economic research.
Grading:
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.
Contact Information: Prof. Dr. Grüner, Phone: (0621) 181-1886, email: gruener@uni-mannheim.de, Office: L7, 3–5, room 2–06
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
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 04.09.23 – 04.12.23 Monday 17:15 – 18:45 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E873: Research Seminar in Public Economics (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E873Credits: 5Prerequisites
at least second year Ph.D. or Research Master
Requirements for the assignment of ECTS-Credits and Grades:
Oral presentation of own research, contribution to discussion of other participants' research; only pass/
fail. Course Content
Presentation and discussion of current research in public economics (external and internal speakers)
Competences acquired
Improve presentations skills, obtain feedback to improve research paper.
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 05.09.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 12:00 – 13:30 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E878: Advanced PhD Seminar in Experimental Economics (3rd & 4th year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E878Credits: 5Prerequisites
E700- E703, E801- E806
Grading and assignment of ECTS credits:
Presentation and active participation
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 05.09.23 – 05.12.23 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 L7, 3–5, Room 4.10 E883: Topics and Projects in Experimental Economics (2nd year)10 ECTSLecturer(s)
Wladislaw Mill
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E883Credits: 10Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Course Content
This module is intended to introduce 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 these papers in advance. 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:
Presence and participation in discussion and presentation of own research. Writing a research proposal. Grades are assigned on a pass/
non-pass basis. Competences acquired
On completion of the module students will have gained insights into recent topics of research in experimental and behavioral economics. They will have improved their ability to present – in a clear and structured manner- their own research ideas. They will have gained practice in adequately and constructively criticizing research ideas and their implementation, and they will have acquired advanced skills in communication and team work. They will have developed an improved sense of recognizing the potentials of a research idea.
Further information: Please refer to the syllabus of this course for further information, in particular on the required presentations in week two of the semester.Schedule
Lecture Lecture 08.09.23 – 08.12.23 Friday 13:45 – 17:00 L9, 1–2, Room 003 E891: International Trade (2nd year)5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E891Credits: 5Prerequisites
All first year Ph.D. courses
Grading
Active participation in class (20%), problem sets (40%), presentation (40%).
Course Content
This course offers a rigorous introduction to international trade at the Ph.D. level, emphasizing both theoretical models and empirical evidence. The first part of the course will be structured as a lecture. We will discuss the core models of modern international trade theory. We will first study neoclassical trade models, i.e., the Ricardian- (Eaton-Kortum) 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 discuss theories of multinational firms, offshoring and global value chains, the labor market consequences of international trade and trade policy.
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’ interests.Competences acquired
Students are familiar with the core models and methods used in modern research in international trade. They know the research frontier in this field and are able to start independent research projects that may lead to a dissertation in the field of international trade.
Further information:
No single textbook covers the topics of this course adequately and the lectures will be based mostly on research articles. A useful reference for students who want to get an idea about the field of international trade is:
Feenstra, R.C. (2015): Advanced International Trade: Theory and Evidence, 2nd edition, Princeton University Press.
Gopinath, G. E.Helpman and K.Rogoff, eds. (2014): Handbook of International Economics, Elsevier
Contact Information: Harald Fadinger; Phone: (0621) 181 -3505; email: harald.fadinger@uni-mannheim.de Office: 4.19, Office hours: upon appointment
Schedule
Lecture Lecture 06.09.23 – 06.12.23 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 L7, 3–5, Room P043 E916: Seminar in Theoretical Industrial Organization5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: E916Credits: 5Prerequisites
E700-E703, E801-E806
Competences acquired:
Acquisition of a deep understanding of selected key papers at the frontier of research in industrial organization. The course is designed to help students engage in advanced research in industrial organization.
Grading:
Active participation in class (20 %), presentation (80 %)
Schedule
Seminar Seminar 15.09.23 – 15.09.23 Friday 16:15 – 17:45 L 9, 1–2, Room 002 Seminar 27.10.23 – 28.10.23 Friday and Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 B 6, 30–32, Room 211 Seminar 19.01.24 – 19.01.24 Friday 09:00 – 18:00 L7, 3–5, P043 RES (Bridge course): Lecture series “Data Science in Action”5 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: RES (Bridge course)Credits: 5Course Content
Our colleagues from the Mannheim Center for Data Science are offering a lecture series “Data Science in Action” for the upcoming fall term. The lecture series is online and starts on Thursday, 14 September 2023 at midday.
GESS doctoral students can attend the event as a bridge course. In order to receive the 5 ECTS points, you need to take part in at 80% of the lectures and write a 15 page essay (pass/fail assessment).
For more information and registration, please visit the website:
https://www.uni-mannheim.de/en/datascience/details/vortragsreihe-data-science-in-action/