Develop a critical understanding of issues arising from the attempts to “rethink” economics in the aftermath of the global crisis, and frame new problems in a changing world.

The M.A. in Political Economy of Money and Development is a 12-month, full-time, course-based, intensive program. Students will acquire skills of theoretical and practical relevance in three areas: new and changing views of macroeconomic policy management, state-of-the-art tools of political, economic and financial analysis, and the changing role of developing and emerging economies in the global economy.

The Department of Economics and Finance at Franklin has a tradition of teaching economics by encouraging diversity of thought, underscoring the relevance of the history of ideas and connecting what is learned in classes with the real world. This Master’s program draws from the broad spectrum of economic analysis and policy in the post-crisis, post-Lehman world.

Special focus of this program is on the foundations of bank and central bank operations with their consequence for macroeconomic policies, quantitative finance as means to explore the political economy of money and markets, new forms of dualism and the role of informal employment in developing and emerging economies.

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Structure

The program consists of three terms, with the last devoted to research (with the option of an internship), and begins with an orientation session to listen to students’ interests and backgrounds that will help us to tailor the program to match students’ profiles.

Practical Experience and Employability

Graduates from this program will gain the knowledge, skills and competencies for a career in education, banking, finance, central banking, international organizations, think tanks, NGOs, development banks, public administration, or government organizations in developing countries. The Program is also an excellent preparation for further research work including a Ph.D. program.

Tuition

Tuition for the Master of Arts in Global Political Economy of Money, Finance and Development is paid in Swiss Francs.

2021 - 2022 Tuition CHF 16,000*

*There is a limited number of teaching assistantship positions available (stipend 1.000 CHF per semester).

Faculty

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Professor, Economics and Finance

Ph.D. in Economics, Rutgers University, NJ, USA
M.A. in Economics, Rutgers University, NJ, USA
Laurea magistrale with Honors in Political Economy, Bocconi University, Italy

Office: Lowerre Academic Center, North Campus, Office 2
Phone: +41 91 986 36 32
Email: aterzi@fus.edu

Andrea Terzi
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Associate Professor, Economics and Finance

Ph.D., University of Missouri, Kansas City
M.A., Mumbai University
B.A., St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai

Office: Lowerre Academic Center, North Campus, Office 13
Phone: +41 91 986 36 36
Email: pdasgupta@fus.edu

Poulomi Dasgupta
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Adjunct Professor, Economics

Ph.D. University of Bielefeld, Germany
M.A. University of Pennsylvania, USA
Dottore in Economia, Università Cattolica, Milan, Italy 

Head of Department of Economics and Finance at the Università Cattolica, Milan, Italy

Office: Kaletsch Campus, Faculty Office 9
Phone: +41 91 985 22 64
Email: lcolombo@fus.edu

Luca Colombo

Curriculum

The program unfolds in six core courses, two intense modules, and culminates in a mentored research project, including the option of an internship at Ceresio Investors.

 

Political Economy of Money and Development

ECN 515 The Governance of Money
Payments, debt, and the monopoly issuance of national currencies. A rigorous overview of the monetary system, covering the mechanics of payments, the monopoly power of central banks, the infrastructure that makes banking possible, the structure of market yields, and the significance of conventional and unconventional monetary policies.
ECN 520 Games and Contracts
The foundations of the economics of information. A simple yet rigorous investigation of the fundamental issues in modern Microeconomics, exploring the main concepts of Game Theory, as well as the basic elements of the Economics of Information, and of Contract Theory.
ECN 530 Development Economics
Issues of growth and development, labor and employment, and measurements of poverty and inequality. An in-depth study of theories and contemporary issues in the field of development economics. This course will investigate topics in development from both a micro and a macro perspective and will engage with debates around issues of growth and development, labor and employment, education and health and measurements of different development indicators.
ECN 540 Special Topics
A two-week intensive module taught by a Visiting Professor.
ECN 550 Financial Analysis
The portfolio approach to risk management: Theories, models, and applications. A rigorous analysis of the principles that guide strategic investment decisions, with a focus on theories of capital structure and pricing of derivatives. Weekly tutorials on net present value, valuation and pricing of bonds and stocks, definition and measurement of risk, portfolio theory, the capital asset pricing model and the arbitrage pricing theory.
ECN 560 Political Economy of Capitalism
Economic and gender inequality, ecology, trade and the political economy of uneven development. An in-depth survey and examination of theories in political economy. Specifically, investigating the structure of modern economy in the context of an increasingly sophisticated globalized world. Some of the topics that will be considered in this course are economic inequality, gender inequality, the relationship of the economic sphere to the ecology, changing role of international trade and political economy of poverty and uneven development.
ECN 570 Economic Policies in Post-Crisis World
The changing shape of economic policies and the political economy of European monetary integration. A research seminar on monetary macroeconomics and the ongoing theoretical and policy debates from DSGE modeling to new views on fiscal policy, from the sectoral balance approach to new theories of money.
ECN 580 Special Topics
A two-week intensive module taught by a Visiting Professor.
ECN 590 Thesis

LIFESTYLE

Franklin University Switzerland was founded on the idea that where you learn is as important as what you learn.  It makes a difference to study paths to global solutions in a variety of cultural crossroads such as Franklin campus, where students come from nearly 50 different countries; Switzerland, where multiple languages and cultures find common ground; or the United Nations, where countries work together to resolve issues that go beyond national borders.  Take advantage of these learning environments that are not only a learning opportunity in themselves, but that are also perfectly positioned for expanding your perspectives through European travel.

Living accomodationLiving Accommodations

Graduate students at Franklin are provided quiet, off-campus, apartment-style housing on their own floor at the Alba Residence. With panoramic views of Monte Bre and the historic center of Lugano, this building is a 10-minute walk from campus, and directly across the street from the Lugano Central Train Station. It is close to the main shopping district, and many cultural attractions.

Life in Lugano, Switzerland

Lugano provides an interesting, safe, and diverse setting for graduate students to learn and thrive. Italian in culture, but influenced by Swiss efficiency and quality, Lugano is an important Swiss city for finance, tourism and consumer goods. Switzerland is rated one of the highest in terms of quality of life thanks to its stable political scene, sustainable social system, and strong economy. It is often rated as one of the most innovative nations in the world. With one of the highest GDP per capita, Switzerland also has one of the lowest crime levels anywhere. Moreover the quality of food, as well as goods and services are very high quality, and Switzerland offers a wide range of opportunities for free time, leisure, culture and sport.

Partnerships

M.A. in Global Political Economy students have the opportunity for internships with Ceresio, thanks to a partnership agreement with Franklin. 

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