Economic Policy Seminar (ECO e)

Transcription

1 Timo Kaiser, M. Sc. Office hours: Wed, :00 p.m. Economic Policy Seminar (ECO e) Digitalization & Automation Challenges for Economic Policy Syllabus Winter 2018/19 Weekly hours: 2 (à 45 minutes) ECTS-Credits: 4 Workload: 120 hours, including 24 hours seminar and 96 hours for preparation of assignment and presentation Time: November 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 1:45 7:00pm Level: Advanced Prerequisites: Basic knowledge in Microeconomics and in Macroeconomics. Core Topics: Necessary Requirements for Digitalization 1. Digitalization: Introduction and the Role of Data 2. Digital Infrastructure: Broadband Internet and Net Neutrality 3. E-Government An Economic View 4. The Economic Relevance of Cyber Crime and Cyber Security 5. The Influence of Open Source and Piracy on Intellectual Property Digitalization and Automation in Finance 6. The Economics of Crowdfunding 7. High Frequency Trading 8. Digital Currencies Digitalization and automation in specific markets 9. Digitalization and the Labor Market 10. Digitalization and the Health Care Market 11. The Market for Search Engines 12. An Economic View on Social Media 1

2 Learning Objectives: Within the course the students shall deepen their insights provided in Micro- and Macroeconomics and apply them to resulting challenges based on an interdisciplinary perspective be capable of understanding, analyzing and discussing the influence of digitalization on many economic fields critically assess resulting challenges, limitations and consequences better recognize economic problems in general and specifically with respect to most recent policy decisions, their causes and consequences specifically learn how to work academically by adequately searching, analyzing, selecting and using academic literature acquire a clear understanding of formal academic requirements further develop their capacity to present and to discuss the results of their topic in a clearly comprehensible, logical and convincing manner learn how to criticize and deal with critique in a socially competent, effective way Literature Depends on the topic (see recommendations for literature search). Introduction to seminar organization and background in January and March 2017 Formal requirements/literature: Wednesday, June 20, 2018: 13:45-15:15, room to be announced Teams of two students work on each topic Table of contents is sent no later than six weeks before your presentation date 1:45pm to timo.kaiser@hs-pforzheim.de Draft of literature reference list is sent no later than two weeks before your presentation date 1:45pm to timo.kaiser@hs-pforzheim.de Your PowerPoint-presentation is sent no later than two days before your presentation date 1:45pm to timo.kaiser@hs-pforzheim.de Last Submission of all seminar papers December 19 th 2018 Word-file to timo.kaiser@hs-pforzheim.de; print version to mailbox 42 Presentations (attendance is mandatory for all participants!) scheduled on Friday November 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 2018: 1:45 7:00pm each. Presentations 30 minutes, discussion ca. 30 minutes 2

3 Grading: o 70%: Written Assignment o 20%: Presentation o 10%: Participation In cases of doubt the better grade will be given if the student has actively participated in the discussions. Schedule: June 16, 2018: 13:45-15:15, room t.b.a. Mandatory introduction to the seminar November 16, 2018, 13:45-19:00 Topics 1-3 November 23, 2018, 13:45-19:00 Topics 4-6 November 30, 2018, 13:45 19:00 Topics 7-9 December 7, 2018, 13:45-19:00 Topics Availability of the lecturer and teaching philosophy: Timo Kaiser, M. Sc. Office: W Office hours: Wed, 13:30 p.m. 15:00, or after prior appointment timo.kaiser@hs-pforzheim.de 3

4 Course contributions to bachelor programs common learning goals: Learning Objective / Outcome Contributions to learning objectives Assessment Expert knowledge Students show that they have sound basic knowledge 1.1 in Business Administration. 1.2 in Economics. Applying economic knowledge on economic-political problems by preparing a seminar paper and by giving a presentation including a discussion Discussions in seminar, presentation, paper 1.3 in Business Law. 1.4 in Quantitative Methods. Use of information technology 2.1 Students demonstrate proficiency in using computer programs to solve business problems. Professional use of word-processing programs and presentation programs Presentation, paper 2.2 Students are able to use information systems effectively in real world business settings. Critical thinking and analytical competence 3. Students are able to apply analytical and critical thinking skills to complex problems. Ethical awareness 4. Students are able to develop business ethics strategies and apply them to typical business decision-making problems. Communication skills 5.1 Students are able to express complex problems effectively in writing 5.2 Students demonstrate their oral communication skills in presentations and papers. Capacity for teamwork 6. Students show that they are able to work successfully in a team by performing practical tasks. Researching, analyzing and selection of relevant scientific literature, ability to distinguish between normative and positive analysis, developing and independent and differentiated line of argumentation Preparation of papers in ethical issues and applications to recent economic policy issues Applying economic knowledge by preparing an academic paper on an economicpolitical topic and using academic writing standards Presenting and discussing central insights and results of the paper Whenever possible, (most of the) students work in teams Discussions in seminar, presentation, paper Discussions in seminar, presentation, paper Paper Presentation Presenting together, leading discussion together and writing a common paper are available options 4

5 Recommendations for the literature search and your list of references are: Use best possible academic literature (articles in refereed journals, working papers, ) to prepare your presentation Try to avoid information that is only available via internet (Homepages). The following illustrations stem from the Business School s guidelines (p. 3f.) Despite the extensive material now available on the Internet, books and scientific periodicals are still the central sources necessary to get an overview of a chosen topic. Popular magazines, mass media and general reference books are not respectable sources because of the way in which information is presented, which does not allow for verification of the original source. Mass media (such as daily, weekly and monthly newspapers and magazines) should be consulted only for current events and trends in public opinion. Many Internet sources (from home-pages to Wikipedia) are of dubious quality and are, as a rule, not reliably documented. Dependable source material that stands the test of time is central to scientific research so that, in future years, critical arguments can continue to be made based on the supporting documentation. This need for stability also renders course material and seminar work inappropriate as resources; it is necessary to consult the underlying original works. Elaboration that relies primarily on questionable sources is not acceptable. The highest quality sources are articles in scientific journals, academic books, compendium overviews and working/discussion papers from reputable institutions. For empirical data, official statistics can be taken from applicable publications and research institutes. For legal questions, the relevant sources include laws, judgments and administrative decrees. The library is the appropriate starting point as it contains the concise dictionaries and compendiums that provide overviews regarding the topic, textbooks that provide further references, books sorted by field of study and trade-specific periodicals. The different materials are catalogued and can be searched electronically by keyword or author. This electronic catalog now extends beyond the university s library itself; information can be obtained from neighboring libraries and from central libraries (such as the University of Cologne for literature on business administration, and the University of Kiel for literature on economics). Databases such as WISO-Net make it possible to execute a full-text search in a multitude of scientific journals, and one can use literature search services like OASE (Open Access to Scientific literature), SSRN (Social Science Research Network) and internet portals such as vascoda. Depending on the topic literature databases such as EconLit, Business Source Complete, Environmental Science Collection, ScienceDirect, Emerald Management 200, Taylor & Francis all available online at our library are also very good starting points for searching economic literature. You may also address the E-books and the E-journals (Elektronische Zeitschriften) accessible via the homepage of our library (use vpn outside the university). Arrange your list of references in the handout according to the standards of the Business School. Recommendations for the presentation and criteria used for grading it are: Welcome your audience in a comfortable manner Introduce yourself/yourselves 5

6 Motivate for your topic at the beginning to gain the attention of the audience: why is it interesting/relevant/important to deal with the topic? Clearly give the aim of your presentation within the introduction Give a brief and motivating overview over the outline of your presentation Give your presentation a clear and logical structure Focus on the main topics and always keep and refer to the central theme of your topic Be aware that the discussions of topics have to be well-balanced Be precise with respect to your argumentation Give examples whenever helpful Summarize main points in your conclusion and thereby refer to the aim of the presentation Keep to the designated time Use appropriate media for your presentation Clearly arrange your slides and check that your font is large enough Maintain eye contact with your audience Use good posture, natural gesturing, controlled movement Do not read, speak freely Pay attention to your speed of speech and to an adequate modulation of your voice Allow sufficient time for the audience to absorb the information. Make sure they understand what you want to explain. Keep the audience focused. Pay attention whether they can understand what you are explaining Activate the audience within the discussion Within the discussions show that you are really an expert in your topic Be open for remarks and questions of your audience Use best possible academic literature as the basic for your presentation and your handout I care for your learning, your progress and your understanding of the topics. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions/problems with your learning or with the course. The longer you wait the fewer options I will have to contribute to your success. 6