Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
This is a graduate-level course on economics of innovation. The ultimate learning objective of this course is to improve students’ analytical skills and critical thinking in topics that relate to the key determinants of innovative activities in modern economies and the implications of innovation for growth and development.
This course includes 8 modules. Students are first introduced to some of the key concepts in economics of innovation (Modules 1). They also learn about the measurement of innovative activities (Module 2). After learning about basic concepts and measurements, students study the innovative firms and the innovative entrepreneur in Modules 3 and 4. In the second part of the course, students first learn about the exogenous growth model followed by a survey of the endogenous growth model in Modules 5 and 6. They further learn about the relationship between trade and innovation (Module 7). The course is, then, concluded with a survey of how foreign direct investments affect innovation (Module 8).
Along with these surveys, students also read a recent book on innovation--we refer to this as the book club reading. They also engage in analytical problem solving as part of an array of assignments and exams.
Course Prerequisites
Graduate standing and departmental permission.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Primary textbook: Selected chapters will be assigned from Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Economic Growth by Christine Greenhalgh and Mark Rogers. Students will be provided with the required readings in advance. There is, therefore, no need for students to purchase the book.
Other course readings: Several other course readings will be assigned throughout this course. All of them will be shared with students in advance.
The book club reading: Students will be reading AI 2041: Ten Vision for Our Future by Chen Qiufan and Kai-Fu Lee. Since different groups read different chapters, students will be provided with their assigned chapter in advance. There is, therefore, no need for students to purchase the book.
Software
MS Excel, MS Word, and MS PowerPoint (Office 365)
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
|
Exams |
Your midterm and final exams include analytical questions. They are take-home and open-resource. They will be posted on Canvas, and they will also be submitted on Canvas. |
40% |
|
Assignments |
You will be asked to submit a few assignments. To assess your performance, the average of your grades for all the assignments will be taken into account. The assignments will be posted on Canvas, and they will also be submitted on Canvas. |
35% |
|
In-class Activities |
Students engage in a number of in-class activities mostly based on their book club readings. Like exams and assignments, these activities will be posted and submitted on Canvas. As their name suggests, they will be done in class, during live sessions. Yet, students have a week to revise and resubmit their work should they desire. |
25% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
The sum of your exams, assignments, and in-class quiz grades will determine your final letter grade on a scale where 90 or above is an A and less than 60 is an F. Tests won’t be curved, needs-based appeals won’t be entertained, and grades will be determined in strict accordance with the above policy. Even if you end up with, say, 89.99999, you earn a grade of B.
Course Components
Required Readings
The primary textbook and other course readings introduce:
- The underlying concepts of interest
- An array of analytical, historical, and numerical examples
- Useful graphs, illustrating the underlying intuition behind key models
Selected readings will be assigned from the primary textbook and other readings. They should all be done during a given module.
The book club reading introduces some important concepts behind innovation, its determinants, and its outlook. Beyond learning about those concepts, the book club reading provides an opportunity for students to learn from each other in an interactive environment. It should be noted that up to 20 points will be taken off of the Final Exam grade for those who fail to perform their class duties regarding the book club readings.
Live Sessions
We meet once a week online. During that meeting, the most important concepts within each module will be discussed using, typically, a number of examples. We also attend to the book club reading. And students partake in their in-class activities. Thought those activities begin during the live session, students have a week to revise and resubmit their answer should they desire. At the end, the recorded live session will also be shared with students.
In-class Activities
These activities are designed as in-class learning tools. They are mostly based on book club readings as well as the concepts that are discussed in class. They include analytical questions. And they are usually discussed in class.
Assignments
In the assignments, students put what they learn in their readings and lectures into practice. The assignments include analytical questions. Assignments should be typed and organized using MS Word. They must be submitted in PDF format, however.
Exams
The midterm and final exams include analytical questions. In terms of their structure, they are quite similar to assignments and in-class activities.
Course Policies
Communication
To communicate with me outside of class, students may use my email (tabrizy@ou.edu) using their OU email address. I will get back to them in less than 36 hours.
Late Policy
No assignments, in-class activities, or exams could be submitted later than their due dates unless there are well-documented justifications (e.g., health reasons). Under exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to submit their (revised) work later than the due date. In that case, however, they only receive 67% of the credit.
Tentative Schedule (Subject the minor changes)
| Module | Topic | Activities |
| 1 | What is "economics", what is "innovation", and what is the economics of innovation about? | Students must attend to their required readings first. They must also begin their work with the first assignment. And they must get to know their groups for book club readings and start with their readings. |
| 2 | The measurement of innovative activities | Students must attend to their required readings. They must participate in their in-class activities. And they must finish their work on the first assignment and submit it on Canvas. Those in charge of the first chapter of the book club reading must also present their work. |
| 3 | The innovative firm | Students must attend to their required readings. They must participate in their in-class activities. And they must also begin their work with the second assignment. Those in charge of the second chapter of the book club reading must also present their work. |
| 4 | The innovative entrepreneur | Students must attend to their required readings. They must participate in their in-class activities. And they must finish their work on the second assignment and submit it on Canvas. Those in charge of the third chapter of the book club reading must also present their work. |
| Midterm Exam | The midterm exam will be posted on Canvas. Students will submit their answers directly on Canvas. Your exam is an open resource and you have multiple attempts. | |
| 5 | Exogenous growth | Students must attend to their required readings. They must participate in their in-class activities. And they must also begin their work with the third assignment. Those in charge of the fourth chapter of the book club reading must also present their work. |
| 6 | Endogenous growth | Students must attend to their required readings. They must participate in their in-class activities. And they must finish their work on the third assignment and submit it on Canvas. Those in charge of the fifth chapter of the book club reading must also present their work. |
| 7 | Innovation and globalization | Students must attend to their required readings. They must participate in their in-class activities. And they must also begin their work with the last assignment. Those in charge of the sixth chapter of the book club reading must also present their work. |
| 8 | FDI and innovation | Students must attend to their required readings. They must participate in their in-class activities. And they must finish their work on the last assignment and submit it on Canvas. Those in charge of the seventh chapter of the book club reading must also present their work. |
| Final Exam | The final exam will be posted on Canvas. Students will submit their answers directly on Canvas. Your exam is an open resource and you have multiple attempts. |
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|