ITF 498 | Course Introduction and Application Information - Department of International Trade and Finance

Course Name

Senior Thesis

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
ITF 498	Spring	3	0	3	6

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	Required
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	face to face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	-
National Occupation Classification	-
Course Coordinator	Prof. Dr. Gülin VARDAR
Course Lecturer(s)	Dr.Öğretim Üyesi BİRCE DOBRUCALI Öğr.Gör.Dr. HALİL ATİLLA SİVRİKAYA Prof. Dr. GÜLİN VARDAR Prof. Dr. YENER COŞKUN
Assistant(s)	Araş. Gör. Birce TEDİK KOCAKAYA

Course Objectives	The primary objective of this course is to have the students gain complete understanding on research experience for both trade and financial applications through the semester-long thesis course. The course concentrates on students conducting their own research projects with a clear and appropriate framework and in-depth analysis. This course is designed to develop students' wide range of interdisciplinary skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, accessing and analyzing information. Students will also have opportunity to learn beyond their disciplinary limits by relating real life issues to theoretical background. Hence, this will help students’ preparation for professional life with an aim to equip them with valuable tools for their lifelong learning.
Learning Outcomes	The students who succeeded in this course; Design and conduct an independent research project on a specific topic in international trade or finance. Examine a comprehensive literature review and identify research gaps relevant to their chosen topic. Develop and apply appropriate research methodologies and analytical frameworks. Use quantitative and/or qualitative tools and software to collect, analyze, and interpret data. Critically evaluate empirical findings and draw meaningful conclusions and policy implications. Compose a well-structured academic thesis that meets scientific and ethical research standards. Present research outcomes effectively through professional written and oral communication.
Course Description	This course provides the students to conduct an independent research on a specific topic, which will be developed with the help of their supervisors. This course also has the students learn how to develop research questions, write a literature review, choose the proper methodology and make the analysis. Through the length of this course, students are expected to attend series of lectures with the constituents of class lectures with practical spreadsheet applications (Excel) and software packages (E-views, Stata etc.). This course also covers weekly meetings of students with their supervisor/s and conducting written research report. Finally, the students will present their project at the end of the semester.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses	X
	Supportive Courses
	Media and Management Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

Week	Subjects	Related Preparation
1	Introduction
2	Group Selection and Research Questions
3	Literature Review
4	Literature Review and Literature Review Presentation	Assignment 1 - Literature Review and Presentation
5	Methodology and Material Construction
6	Methodology and Material Construction
7	Methodology and Material Construction	Assignment 2 - Methodology Proposal and Presentation
8	Data Collection
9	Data Analysis
10	Data Analysis
11	Results and Findings	Assignment 3 - Findings and Interpretation of Results
12	Conclusion and Implication	Assignment 4 - Draft Report
13	Full Report / Report Review
14	Presentation in Class	Full Report and Presentation Submission
15	Jury Presentation	Final Presentation
16	Final Exam

Course Notes/Textbooks

Gary Thomas, “How to Do Your Research Project: A Guide for Students”, 3rd Edition Author, ISBN-13: 978-1473948877, SAGE Publications Ltd.

- Gary Koop, Analysis of Financial Data, ISBN: 978-0-470-01321-2

Suggested Readings/Materials

Other materials such as statistical software, research papers, readings and references are provided by the instructor based on the topic of the research project.

Semester Activities	Number	Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments	4	40
Presentation / Jury	1	30
Project	1	30
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm
Final Exam
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade	6	100
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
Total

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours)	16	3	48
Laboratory / Application Hours (Including exam week: '.16.' x total hours)	16		0
Study Hours Out of Class			0
Field Work			0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques			0
Portfolio			0
Homework / Assignments	4	15	60
Presentation / Jury	1	26	26
Project	1	40	40
Seminar / Workshop			0
Oral Exam			0
Midterms			0
Final Exam			0
		Total	174

#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To be able to identify and analyze problems in the field of trade and finance, and to develop solutions.	-	-	-	-	X
2	To be able to apply theoretical and practical knowledge of international trade and finance to real-world professional contexts.	-	-	-	-	-
3	To be able to critically analyze global market developments and evaluate their implications for business and policy.	-	-	-	-	-
4	To be able to collect, analyze, and interpret financial and economic data by using digital and information technologies effectively.	-	-	-	-	X
5	To be able to understand and interpret legal frameworks, regulations and practices relevant to international trade and finance.	-	-	-	-	-
6	To be able to anticipate, define, and manage financial and trade-related risks through informed decision-making.	-	-	-	-	-
7	To be able to acquire and use verbal, written, and numerical skills effectively for the nature of international trade and finance program.	-	-	-	-	-
8	To be able to obtain, synthesize, and report trade- and finance-related information clearly and effectively.	-	-	-	-	X
9	To be able to contribute effectively as individuals, team members, and leaders in multidisciplinary environments.	-	-	-	-	-
10	To be able to evaluate trade and finance issues from ethical, social, and sustainability perspectives.	-	-	-	-	-
11	To be able to collect data in the areas of International Trade and Finance and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1).	-	-	-	-	-
12	To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.	-	-	-	-	-
13	To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout human history to their field of expertise.	-	-	-	-	-