"The Rules of the Game" - Institutional Economics

Master's seminars

Global financial crisis, economic inequalities, economic development, social policy, public support for private firms or consequences of breaking the law? Those are just examples of issues related to institutions (i.a. economic, political, cultural). The research perspective of institutional economics may be successfully applied towards analyzes of various social and economic problems. During the seminars selected theories and apparatus is discussed with a focus on their research usage. The goal of the seminar is to deliver adequate economic underpinnings that are necessary for students to run their independent research within the field of institutional economics. Theses may be prepared in English as well. Dissertations may be of quantitative or qualitative character.

The principal aim of the seminar is to get its participants ready for preparing their master dissertations. Thematic scope of the seminar is relatively broad, but has strong ties with institutional economics. The seminar is dedicated for students willing to conduct research about institutions from economic perspective. Introductory meeting about principal methods of economic research and requirements for dissertations takes place. Subsequently, Students make themselves familiar with theoretical foundations of institutional economics (basic literature, journal articles, individually proposed), as well as empirical ones. Next, participants of the seminar choose the topic of dissertation, prepare conspects and the thesis. Research ideas are subject to open discussion during group meetings.

The literature is going to address the individual interests of participants of the seminar and particular scopre of prepared dissertations.

Knowledge: actual knowledge within current research in institutional economics; familiarity with institutional economics research tools; interpretation of socio-economic phenomena based on theoretical and empirical sources

Economic skills: meritorical critique on economic problems; conducting independent economic research; proper selection of relevant literature and arguments within research; data gathering, transformation and analyzes; preparation of economic dissertation

Social skills: working individually; working in groups; cooperation with supervisor in preparing the thesis; participating in discussion by expressing one's views; manifestation of research openness and curiosity towards economic issues

KW01, KW02, KW03, KU01, KU02, KU03, KK01, KK02, KK03

Passing the first semester upon preliminary plan/conspect of the dissertation. Completing the following semesters upon progress in preparing the dissertation.