AØKK08324U Seminar: Economics and Politics of Conflict

Volume 2014/2015
Education
M.Sc, of Economics
(Only available for Master students at Department of Economics)
Content

This seminar invites students to use the framework provided by modern microeconomics and political economy to analyze issues related to conflict (broadly defined). Both theoretical and empirical approaches are welcome, but since Thomas’ expertise is primarily within theory he will not be able to help with data sources, etc. for empirical papers.

Learning Outcome
  • International  conflict and domestic politics
  • Regime change
  • The Arab spring
  • Civil war
  • The economics and politics of secession
  • Propaganda and conflict
  • Natural resources and conflict
  • Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons
  • Arms races
  • Reasons for war
  • International alliances (e.g. NATO)
  • Intelligence
  • Bargaining
  • Democratic peace
  • Optimal counterterrorism
  • Terrorist recruitment
  • Suicide terrorism
  • Terrorism and politics
  • Pirates
  • Organized Crime
B.Sc. of Economics
The only formal requirement is that students have a solid background in microeconomics, especially game theory, at the level of our undergraduate program (Microeconomics A-C). For specific topics it may be an advantage to be familiar with the material covered in some of our master courses (for example the Political Economics course).
Planning meeting ind the begining of the semester,informed by the teacher, writing seminar paper during the semester and presentations at the end of the semester. More informations will be uploaded at Absalon by the teacher.

Please note that this seminar (all presentations, etc.) will take place on two full days in mid April. Therefore all deadlines are relatively early in the semester. The preliminary schedule is:
February 2: Short introductory meeting
February 20: Deadline for handing in the commitment paper
April 7: Deadline for handing in the seminar paper
April 16-17: Seminar (two full days)
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 0,3
  • Seminar
  • 0
  • Total
  • 0,3
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination, 20 min under invigilation
A written seminar paper and a oral presentation for the others participans at the seminar.
Exam registration requirements
Attendance on the seminar. The mandatory commitment paper and seminar paper have been handed in at deadline.
Aid

Al aids for the written seminarpaper.

For the oral presentation the slices for the presentation. The teacher can specifiy what els is allowed.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
up to 20 % censorship at the seminarpaper
Exam period
Is decided and informed by the teacher at the compulsive planningmeeting.
Re-exam
As ordinary.
Criteria for exam assesment

The student must in a satisfactory way demonstrate that he/she has mastered the learning outcome of the course.