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GTAP University (GTAP-U): 2024-2 GTAP 101 Course

2024-2 GTAP 101 Course

"Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Modeling in the GTAP Framework"

Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Models, 3e
Coursework based on:

Introduction to Computable
General Equilibrium Models, 3e

by Mary E. Burfisher

Dates/Deadlines (USA Eastern Time Zone)

Course Application March 11 - June 16
Enrollment mid-July
GTAP 101 Course September 2 - October 20, 2024

General Information
Dates: September 2 - October 20, 2024
Location: GTAP 101 is delivered fully online. There is no onsite component to this course.
Offered by: Center for Global Trade Analysis, Purdue University
Registration Fees:
$1,750 Professional (Developed Country)
$1,315 Professional (Developing Country)
$875 Student (Developed Country)
$440 Student (Developing Country)
Course Content
Objective
The objective of the GTAP 101 course is to engage participants in an active, team-based process of learning about the GTAP computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and its use in applied economic policy analysis. The curriculum emphasizes an intuitive and graphical treatment of economic theory in the CGE model and provides structured experiences in running the standard GTAP Model, v7 within the RunGTAP software environment. RunGTAP is an intuitive, menu-driven CGE model interface that minimizes technological hurdles and allows course participants to quickly begin to focus on their economic thinking and experimentation. The curriculum is geared to advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals. At the end of the course, participants will be entry-level modelers and more informed consumers of CGE-based analyses. The course also serves as an entry point for developing the technical skills required for the GTAP Short Course and other courses offered through GTAP-U.

During the online course, participants will:
  • review core economic theories from micro, macro, trade, and public finance and observe how they are operationalized in an applied general equilibrium model
  • learn to recognize, control, and interpret the theoretically consistent behavior of consumers and producers in the GTAP model
  • observe the aggregated, macroeconomic impacts of microeconomic behavior
  • define model experiments that represent real-world issues
  • learn to interpret general equilibrium model results by integrating their knowledge of multiple fields of economic study

Structure
The course is delivered fully online and supported by the textbook, Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Models, 3e, the eBook version of which, as well as all necessary course software and materials, will be provided to participants. Additional learning resources include audio-visual lectures, guided simulations/exercises, and assessments. Topics covered during the course are detailed below, culminating in a group research project that provides participants with a hands-on opportunity to carry out a model experiment and analyze its economy-wide effects. Since participants will be located all around the world, there are no set meeting times for the course. Instead, participants will work through the weekly plan of study detailed in the learning management system to progress through the course. A discussion board is available in the learning management system where participants can post questions and receive feedback from the instructor, as well as their fellow classmates.


Content Overview
  • Week 1 - "Getting Started"
    • Participants download and familiarize themselves with the course website, material, and software
  • Week 2 - "Database of a CGE Model"
    • Introduction to the GTAP SAM and RunGTAP Modeling Platform
  • Week 3 - "Demand"
    • Introduction to Final Demand and Import Demand in the GTAP Model
    • Change an elasticity
  • Week 4 - "Supply and Factor Markets"
    • Introduction to Production in the GTAP Model
    • Change a closure
  • Week 5 - "Trade and Welfare"
    • Introduction to Taxes and Welfare in the GTAP Model
  • Week 6 - "Group Research Project"
    • Hands-on opportunity to carry out a model replication experiment and analyze its economy-wide effects
  • Week 7 - "Wrap-Up and Evaluation"
    • Final discussions and course evaluation

Time Commitment
Participants should expect to spend approximately 10-12 hours/week on this course.


What GTAP 101 "Graduates" Are Saying...

"I would to thank you all for such an amazing and challenging course. The course is well structured for beginners like me and I enjoyed the exercises, quizzes, and the project. I look forward to applying the knowledge I gained from this course and also enrolling for further courses to gain more expertise in training in intermediate and advanced CGE modelling."

"My goal for taking the course was to gain a better idea of how the GTAP CGE model produces its results. The online course met this goal and gave a very good overview of how CGE models operate in general. The material was clear and easy to understand, the exercises gave good hands-on experience, and the instructor was very helpful!"

"I attended several CGE courses before and this GTAP 101 Course is one of the best courses available. This course is well organized and extremely informative. I would like to recommend anyone who is interested in CGE modelling to take this course."

"The main goal was to learn possibilities of GTAP for analyzing the impact of trade liberalization on the country's economy in general and on each sector separately (agricultural, manufacturing and services). Yes. I met my goal and moreover I refreshed my knowledge of core economic theories from macroeconomic, microeconomic, trade and finance."

"The book for this class has been enormously helpful. The writing is crystal clear. The development of topics is handled with extreme care: Very little prior knowledge is assumed and yet the reader is led methodically through technical material without any gaps in explanation and yet, somehow, without ever feeling like the author is being condescending. A masterpiece!"

"It is not one module in special, what I appreciated more is that it is clearly for beginners and each module walked us through the main aspects of CGE. The book is very clear, teacher was great. The discussion questions really help to put hand on, and learn what otherwise would have been left unverified. You think you learnt until you really try to implement it."

"I am really surprised with the GTAP Introductory Course. This experience has changed my view about distance learning courses. It's amazing how the course has improved my knowledge about this subject and increased my desire to learn more and more about equilibrium models. I would like to congratulate you and truly thank each one for this very good period of learning."

"This course is well organized and well put together, I hope many others are able to take advantage of it in the future and I also hope that the connections that were forged through the group research project (which are a great addition to the course by the way) are long-lasting!"

"The model exercises were excellent, along with the dedication of the instructor in addressing all discussion questions. Thanks very much!"

Application
June 16 Deadline Application
Individuals interested in taking this course must apply on the GTAP website. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline and those individuals accepted will receive an email detailing how to register and submit payment. Please note that application does not guarantee acceptance.

Registration Rates
The registration fees (in USD) for this course are detailed below and include the course textbook (eBook version) as well as instruction during the online course. The eBook version of the course textbook will be sent to registrants the week before the course starts.

Developed Country Developing Country
Professionals $1,750 $1,315
Students $875 $440


Rate Details and Eligibility Requirements
  1. Developing Country Rates - In order to be eligible for a discounted, developing country rate, applicants must currently be residing in a country listed on the "GTAP Developing Countries List".
  2. Student Rates - Student rates are only available to current, full-time students. Post-docs and students concurrently working in any professional capacity are not eligible for these rates. Registrants may be asked to provide proof of current academic status.
Cancellations
All cancellations must be emailed to Ginger Batta. Registered participants that are unable to participate in the course will receive a 50% refund until August 18, 2024. No refunds will be issued after this date. Deferments to later courses are not allowed.

System Requirements

Participant computers and setup must meet the following specifications.

  • Computer Requirements
    • Windows 7 or later

      (Macs can be used, but users must either be able to dual boot to Windows or install/access Windows through a virtual machine. Note that technical support for Macs will not be provided.)

    • 32-bit or higher
    • i5 or higher processor
    • 500MB free hard drive space
    • 1GB RAM
    • Administrator access (or ability to have course software installed)
  • Other Requirements
    • Reliable internet connection (broadband recommended)
    • Microsoft Office
    • Adobe Reader or Acrobat
    • Zip utility program

Note on YouTube
During this course, some online materials are hosted on YouTube; therefore, participants must have the ability to access YouTube in order to view these videos. If a participant is unable to access YouTube, they must have access to a VPN or remote computer as video source files will not be provided.

Contact Information
Please direct all questions on this course to:

Ginger Batta (gbatta@purdue.edu)
Lead Program Manager
Center for Global Trade Analysis
Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
403 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2056 USA
Course Instructor
Amanda Countryman Dr. Amanda M. Countryman is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University. Her research employs econometric and computable general equilibrium modeling techniques to investigate the economic implications of international trade policy, focusing specifically on the impacts of trade reform on agriculture. Amanda investigates issues related to the World Trade Organization as well as bilateral and multilateral trade partnerships, nontariff barriers to trade, the role of agricultural trade policy on poverty as well as the trade implications of transboundary animal disease outbreaks.

Amanda completed her B.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics and B.A. in Spanish at the University of Arizona in 2005 before earning her M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University in 2007. She volunteered for a USDA Food for Progress program in Guatemala and worked as an international intern for the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in Pretoria, South Africa prior to doctoral studies. Amanda earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University in December 2010. She worked in the Center for Global Trade Analysis and taught mathematical economics while at Purdue. Amanda also helped facilitate an agribusiness leadership short course in Brazil with the Center for Food and Agricultural Business and was awarded a fellowship from the National Science Foundation to conduct dissertation research in Japan. Prior to joining the faculty at CSU, Amanda was a Research Agricultural Economist in the Market and Trade Economics Division at the USDA Economic Research Service in Washington DC.

Amanda was born and raised on a cotton, cattle and alfalfa farm in Buckeye, Arizona where her family continues in production agriculture.

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Center for Global Trade Analysis
Department of Agricultural Economics
Purdue University
403 Mitch Daniels Blvd.
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2056 USA

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