Economic Change in the Arab Region (ECAR)

Organisation:: Philipps-Universität Marburg
Ort, Bundesland, Land:: Marburg, Hesse, Germany
Typ:: Full-time
Certificate:: MA
Duration:: 3 Semester

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Programme

Application deadline extended!! (31 March 2010)

Arab countries are in different phases of economic development. However, many of them are struggling to organise their economies in a process of transition. While elements of a market economy are sometimes implemented, this is often done on an ad hoc basis. Quite often problems of economic development can be traced back to two deficiencies: poorly designed institutions and an inadequate education of the local (academic) workforce.

This Master's course strives to offer modern economic knowledge in the Arab region and contribute to establishing a functioning market economy.

The full-time study programme is designed for three semesters of one half-year each plus a two months’ preparatory period. The total duration of the course amounts to 20 months.

Target audience

Arab and German participants with an academic background in Economics and preferably some work experience. We expect students of ECAR to be highly motivated academically and interested in working in a bicultural environment.

Course Objectives:
This Master’s course offers modern economic knowledge with a specific focus on the Arab region and should thereby contribute to establishing a functioning market economy. Students will learn to apply economic thinking to a wide range of fields.

They will acquire knowledge of the economies of the Arab and European regions based on a sound theoretical understanding of economic processes. While the practice-oriented modules of the course will ensure a high level of current employability, the theoretical aspects will form the basis for life-long learning. In addition, the course should foster cross-cultural understanding, both through academic studies as well as through interaction between Arab and German students.

Emphases/Curriculum

Pre-Semester:
Language and Region
(Damascus, August to September 2010)

1. Semester:
Managing the Transition
(Damascus, October 2010 to March 2011)

The Arab-European Context
- Introduction to Arab Economies
- European Economic Integration
Managerial Economics
- Microeconomics
- The Macroeconomic Environment
Change Management
- Organizational Theory
- Corporate Governance
- Seminar: New Public Management
Intercultural Communication and Negotiation
- Intercultural Understanding, Communication and Negotiation
- Project: Working in Arab Countries

2. Semester:
Acquiring Method (Marburg, April to September 2011)

Developing the Economy
- Development Economics
- Exercises and case studies: Economic Development in the Arab Region
- International Agricultural Policy
- Exercises and case studies: The Agricultural Policy and Natural Resource Management
The International Context
- Institutions of International Economics
- Case Studies and Practice: The Arab Region in a Globalised World
- International Macroeconomics and Finance
- Exercises and case studies: International Macroeconomics and Finance
Economic Transition in the Arab Region (select 2 of 3 courses)
- Business Management during Economic Change
- Political Economy of Economic Transition
- Islamic Finance
Planning and Evaluating Economic Investments
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Exercises and case studies: Economic Project Evaluation

3. Semester:
Applying Knowledge (Arab Region, October 2011 to March 2012)

Project in Arab Countries
- Internship at a relevant institution (Duration 2 months)
- Master thesis and defence

Admission/Entrance requirements
Full-time:
Number of participants max.:	20
Number of applicants:	n.a.

The scholarship programme: A maximum of 10 German (during their stay abroad) and 10 Arab students (for the full course) may receive a DAAD scholarship that covers living and travelling expenses. Scholarships can only be awarded to applicants from the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Germany, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine Territories, Syria, and Yemen. Tuition Fees: The participants of this Master's course are exempted from tuition fees. German students will receive a scholarship which covers travel and living costs during their stay abroad. Arab students will receive a full scholarship during the whole length of the course. Costs of Living: Living costs in Marburg depend on individual life styles and on regional prices. The Marburg Foreigners' Authority ("Ausländerbehörde") requires international students to prove that they have at least € 600,- per month at their disposal in order to cover their living costs. Application requirements: Major focus of first academic degree: Clear emphasis on Economics (Volkswirtschaftslehre). Other relevant areas of study are, e.g., Business Administration (Betriebswirtschaftslehre), Business / Economics Information Systems (Wirtschaftsinformatik), Business / Economics Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieur). Admission requirements of Bachelor’s degree: The status of the degree-granting institution should be “university” according to the relevant criteria of the respective country. The minimum academic qualification is a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. To allow for some sort of comparability across different degree-granting institutions, students should rank among the top students in the peer group of their respective university (grades A and B in the framework of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System - ECTS). Work experience: In the case of similar academic achievements, preference is given to students with at least 2 years of relevant job experience in the field of economics. English language requirements: Students must be able to study courses in English effectively. We therefore require certified English language skills of at least B2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or equivalent. Please note that for the first intake in August 2009 applications are restricted to students from the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Germany, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine Territories, Syria, and Yemen. From the second intake onwards, however, we will accept applications from all over the world. Application Deadline: 31 March 2010 Beginning of Programme: August 2010

Languages
Language(s) of instruction:	English
voluntary:	Arabic, German
Going abroad:	possible
	Course Languages: Courses are held in English. German and Arab language courses are provided in the preparatory phase. Study Abroad Units: Particpants spend the preparatory phase and the first semester in Damascus, Syria. The second semester takes place in Marburg, Germany. The fourth semester is dedicated to field studies in the Arab Region and to the Master's thesis.

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Organisation

Philipps-Universität Marburg
Founded in 1527, this is one of the oldest universities in Germany, situated right in the centre of a beautifully preserved medieval town. At present there are nearly 20.000 students studying in Marburg – 12 percent of which come from all regions of the world. The Department of Business Administration and Economics consists of 17 tenured professors and about 50 additional staff members. Currently, more than 1,500 students are enrolled in various Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.

Damascus University
Founded in 1923, this is not only the largest but also the oldest university in Syria, and is conveniently situated near the city centre, with different campuses distributed across the town. Currently there are about 120,000 students total enrolled, more than 10,000 of whom are registered in Economics or Business Administration courses. The Department of Business and Economics has a staff size of about 120 members, about 50 of which are professors.

Study in Marburg

Marburg is a scenic town in the the centre of Germany. It is situated on the Lahn river and dominated by its medieval castle on the hill.

Life is not only about work, so the University also supports other activities: the language lab offers qualified courses as well as a self-learning-centre. The university sports centre offers over 30 different disciplines. Just like in sports, also in music: students and faculty sing in the uniCHOR choir or participate in the student symphony orchestra, the Marburger Young Philharmonic Orchestra or in the student BigBand. If you would rather participate in art passively you should visit the university’s museums and collections.

Damascus, capital town of Syria, is the main centre of education in Syria. Damascus University is the oldest and by far the largest university in the country. It has a wealth of historical sites dating back to many different periods of the city's history.