Fall 2017

Global Financial Networks

Director: Erol Balkan, Professor of Economics
315-859-4180
ebalkan@hamilton.edu

New York City has long been one of the financial centers in the global economy. Financial service activities of all kinds tend to be very strongly concentrated in key metropolitan centers like New York City, London and Tokyo. These form a complex network spanning national boundaries and connecting major cities around the world. By several indicators such as the volume of international currency trading, volume of foreign financial assets and the number of headquarters of the large international banks, New York City is one of the most important centers for global financial activities. The focus of our semester will be the study of global financial networks.

College 395 Global Financial Networks (Prerequisite Econ 102)

The major financial markets are more closely integrated today than they ever were in the past. The recent developments in information and communications technologies increased the globalization of financial markets and at the same time allowed the development of a whole new range of financial instruments known as derivatives. Deregulation and financial liberalization of different financial markets also gave an immense impetus to financial integration. Market liberalization affected interest rate ceilings, reserve requirements and barriers to geographical expansion, which in turn stimulated free international movement of capital.

This course covers a broad range of theories and issues in global finance, including the evolution of the current global financial markets, balance of payments problems, exchange rate determination and currency markets, financial and currency crisis, international capital flows, international banking, and macroeconomic policies in an open economy.

College 398 Seminar in Global Processes: Political Economy of Globalization

Foundational course of the Program in New York City. Critical examination of some of the global issues and challenges considered from a political economy perspective. Issues to include economic globalization, the role of basic international economic organizations (IMF, World Bank, WTO), the development and significance of global neo-liberalism, political and cultural globalization, ecological sustainability and global financial crisis. The course is organized around readings, class discussion, films, guest discussion leaders, and field trips in New York City.

College 396 Independent Study

A tutorial resulting in a substantial paper that integrates experience and learning from the internship with an academic perspective and knowledge gained in the seminars or other tutorial readings.

College 397 Internship

An Independent Study supervised by the director of the Program in New York City and based on an internship with a firm, organization, agency or advocacy group appropriate to the theme of course.