GTAP University (GTAP-U): 2024 GTAP Firm Heterogeneity (GTAP-HET) Course

Course Content

Objective
The GTAP-HET Course is a hands-on, fully-online course developed to provide professional economists and Masters/PhD students with the tools and skills necessary to use advanced trade theories in trade policy analysis.

During the online course, participants will:

• learn about the Melitz model of heterogenous firms, viewed as a more general version of the Krugman model of monopolistic competition, and Armington model with perfect competition;
• develop skills to use the GTAP Firm Heterogeneity (GTAP-HET) Model where Armington, Krugman, and Melitz models are nested in the GTAP computable general equilibrium framework;
• conduct trade policy experiments and interpret simulation results using the GTAP-HET Model in team-based research projects.

Structure
The GTAP-HET Course is delivered fully online and is designed to target four specific learning methods: READ, LISTEN, DO, and DISCUSS, where participants are expected to:

• READ the assigned papers to have a solid background in firm heterogeneity theory;
• LISTEN to the video lectures that highlight the theory and estimation in firm heterogeneity models as well as how to implement them in GTAP;
• DO the quizzes and research projects to develop the hands-on experience required for applying the learned material in policy analysis; and
• DISCUSS the new material and related questions on the discussion board with course participants.

Content Overview

• Week 1 - "Getting Started"
  • Participants download and familiarize themselves with the course website, material, and software
• Week 2 - "Introduction to Firm Heterogeneity"
  • Empirical findings based on new micro-level data
  • New economic behavior introduced in the Melitz model
  • Differences across Armington, Krugman, and Melitz models
• Week 3 - "Firm Heterogeneity in GTAP"
  • Supply-side and demand-side changes in GTAP to implement firm heterogeneity
  • New and modified equations in the code
  • Simulation exercises with a stylized GTAP-HET Model
• Week 4 - "Data and Parameter Needs in GTAP-HET 2.0"
  • Data aggregation used in GTAP-HET 2.0
  • Methods of estimation/calibration of key parameters in GTAP-HET 2.0
• Week 5-6 - "Group Research Project"
  • Replication of simulation results with a tariff cut scenario using GTAP-HET 2.0
  • Extension/analysis
• 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.

Application

Prerequisites
All applicants should have undertaken the GTAP 101 Course or GTAP Short Course, or have working experience with the standard GTAP Model prior to application.

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 all course materials.

Registration Rates (USD)	Developed Country	Developing Country1
Professionals	$1,750	$1,315
Students2	$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 February 25, 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

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

Dr. Zeynep Akgul holds a Ph.D. (2015) in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, MS (2009) and BS (2007) in Economics from the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey. Zeynep's primary research interests include computable general equilibrium modeling for international trade policy analysis with an emphasis on firm heterogeneity implementations with the GTAP model. She developed the firm heterogeneity module GTAP-HET, which incorporates consumer love-of-variety, endogenous productivity changes, as well as endogenous firm entry/exit into domestic and export markets. The GTAP-HET model has been used in project applications in the GTAP Short Course as well as in AGEC 618, a Ph.D. level course offered by the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. Zeynep developed and is the lead instructor of the GTAP-HET Course. Her current research interest is on estimating parameters of the firm heterogeneity model. Zeynep currently works as the GTAP University (GTAP-U) Coordinator. Her responsibilities include maintaining the applied CGE modeling curriculum in GTAP-U, developing new courses, and expanding educational outreach.