GTAP Events: 28th Annual Short Course in Global Trade Analysis

The GTAP Short Course is an intensive training course in the economics of global policy analysis. The course is delivered in three phases. Phase one is entirely delivered online and has two aims. The first is to give students practical experience using the software environment for solving GTAP models. The second is to review economic components of the model in a partial setting (e.g. production behavior or market equilibrium but no international trade). Phase one is completed immediately prior to the intensive, onsite portion of the course. Onsite training covers two phases and is taught over a five-day period. The first half of the onsite period (phase two) builds directly from prior training and is comprised of lectures, labs, and discussion on the construction of and analysis with a global economy model with bilateral trade and relevant policy instruments. Finally, students are given the opportunity to prepare their own global economy investigation in phase three. During this phase, course members working in small groups with a GTAP researcher will replicate prior work done with the GTAP model and data base and then develop their own question as an extension of that published study. It is in this third, capstone phase of the course where students gain the experience in scenario design, model tools, and analysis techniques that will prepare them to become contributors to global analysis in the GTAP network of researchers.

The successful participant will demonstrate fluency with the GTAP Model code and data base by designing an economic policy experiment and communicating analysis to the course cohort and teaching team. The learning objectives fostered by the distribution of course activities reflect the ultimate goal and include:

• introducing participants to the standardized framework (GTAP Model, v7) for conducting global policy analysis in an applied general equilibrium setting
• providing participants with hands-on training with software that has been tailored to instruction and collaboration in economic analysis with minimal software manipulation overhead
• delivering participants an opportunity to interact with economists working on global trade and resource use issues, and provide an efficient entry point to the international network of AGE modelers and policy analysts using GTAP data and models

The GTAP Short Course is comprised of an online instruction program followed by an intensive onsite course delivered by a team of GTAP specialists in data, model construction, and policy analysts. Note that the online and onsite portions of the course are not offered separately. Participants should refer to the course website for a precise plan of study.

• Phase I: Online Course
  Participants should expect to spend approximately 4 hours/week during the online portion of the course.
  • Prep Week – "Getting Started"
    • Students complete installation of course software packages and validate their installation with test experiments for the online instruction team
    • If the machine students use for online course is different than the computer they will bring to the onsite course, students must validate installation on that machine as well prior to departure
  • Module 1 - "Introduction to GTAP's Software Environment"
    • Topics Covered:
      • The RunGTAP Interface
      • Understanding Model Implementation in the TABLO Language
      • The GTAP Data Base
      • Simulation in GTAP
    • Module Objectives - Students gain extensive experience with the RunGTAP software and GEMPACK programs used for solving the GTAP Model. Upon completion of this module students will:
      • know the layout and functions of RunGTAP 'tabs'
      • be able to read the GTAP Model in its native TABLO coded environment
      • have a functional understanding of the GTAP Data Base and its structure for modeling
      • be able to implement a simple shock in the GTAP Model environment
  • Module 2 – "Production and Supply in GTAP"
    • Topics Covered:
      • Theory of production
      • Operationalizing production and supply in GTAP
      • Production data
      • Production application
    • Module Objectives – Students begin their study of GTAP behavioral assumptions in this module. Upon completion of this module students will:
      • understand the theory of production as implemented by GTAP
      • gain facility with the nested CES production structure used in the model
      • examine the flows and shares specific to the production side of the model
      • have completed their first simulation and analysis of a GTAP policy experiment
  • Module 3 – "Consumer Demand in GTAP"
    • Topics Covered:
      • Consumer theory
      • Operationalizing final demands in GTAP
      • Demand data
      • Demand application
    • Module Objectives – Students move from the production to end-user side of the model in this module. Successful completion of the module will give students experience with:
      • treatments of final demand in general equilibrium and the specific assumptions made in GTAP
      • the GTAP "Regional Household" and the empirical form of public and private demands
      • the data flows and parametric assumptions that drive demand behavior in GTAP
      • examining simulation outputs including percentage change variables and updated data
  • Module 4 – "Prices and Policy Instruments"
    • Topics Covered:
      • GTAP policy wedges
      • The GTAP price system
      • Policy data, evaluating flows at different 'prices'
      • Multiple policy shocks application
    • Module Objectives – In this module, we connect the demand and supply sides of regional economies by examining the price system in GTAP. After finishing this module students will:
      • know the major policy instruments on transaction in GTAP
      • understand how policy shocks transmit to the price system
      • be able to identify the data components that define base equilibrium policy levels
      • examine simulation outputs from multiple interacting policy instruments
  • Module 5 – "Single-Region Equilibrium"
    • Topics Covered:
      • Primary factor supply in GTAP
      • Market clearing conditions
      • GTAP Input-Output Tables and Walras' Law
      • Regional income and welfare
    • Module Objectives – We close our online study by considering the equilibrium conditions pertinent to the single-region setting. The module training will equip students for:
      • understanding the supply assumptions on land, labor and capital in GTAP
      • analyzing market clearing relationships in GTAP
      • reading the regional data structure in an IO context
      • identifying the welfare (money metric) consequences of policy shocks
  • Online Wrap-up
    • During the final, wrap-up week of the online phase of the course, participants will have a chance to catch up on any incomplete coursework and pose any final questions pertaining to the online material before departing for the onsite phase of the course.
• Phases 2-3: Onsite Course
  Participants should expect to spend approximately 8-9 classroom hours/day during the onsite portion of the course.
  • Phase 2: "Multi-region Equilibrium and Global Economy Modeling"
    • First 2.5 days onsite
    • Students in phase two will be trained by the GTAP instruction team comprised of researchers from the Center for Global Trade Analysis and broader GTAP Network. The schedule of topics with their assignments in any course year will be provided to students the week prior to onsite instruction.
  • Phase 3: "Experiential Training, Student Investigations on Global Economy Issues"
    • Second 2.5 days onsite
    • Students in phase three will work in small groups with specialists in select research areas such as:
      • Commodity trade and regional free trade agreements
      • International farm and food policy measures
      • Energy policy and international policy measures
      • Environmental and land use policy assessments in a global setting
      • Migration and labor

  The planned topics for student extensions are advertised based on the instruction team and current research trends and developments. The final offerings for phase three topics are ultimately formed by reviewing student capabilities and requests.

  The curriculum and instruction team work to ensure that the core learning objectives and experience remain identical regardless of which 'extension' replication a student completes. The replication exercise is not a jump-start on a specific research agenda – it is a capstone of the phase one and two training that culminates in a final deliverable presentation to the course cohort and instruction team. Students are provided access to all replication and extension materials after the course ends. It is anticipated these materials will be key resources for students in continuing the type of self-directed study necessary to continue to hone skills and advance research skills with GTAP.

All participants are expected to have a strong foundation in micro-economics. This should be at the level of a calculus-based graduate course in micro-economic theory. Since the course software is designed around a PC environment, it is essential that each participant have access to such a machine. No prior programming or modeling experience is required. Due to the web-based nature of the course, participants will need access to a high-speed internet connection. The online assignments and course project will be implemented in the context of the RunGTAP software interface for GEMPACK. This is a Windows environment for conducting applied general equilibrium analysis. RunGTAP is designed to allow users to focus on economics with the programming details being largely taken care of behind the scenes where it runs GEMPACK programs. GEMPACK is an algebraic modeling language which permits the user to write out the model in a transparent fashion. It is specifically designed for application to large-scale, applied general equilibrium models in a policy-oriented environment.

Individuals interested in taking this course must apply on the GTAP website. All applications will be reviewed following the deadline. Those accepted into the course will receive an email detailing how to register and arrange for payment. Note that application does not guarantee acceptance.

The registration fee for this course is $4,000 USD. This fee includes five days of onsite, individualized instruction in the form of lectures and labs as well as distance-learning prior to the onsite course. The course registration fee also includes daily coffee breaks, five lunches, one reception, and one dinner. Participants will be responsible for all other meals. Please note that the registration fee for the course does not include the GTAP Data Base. Participants wishing to purchase this, must do so separately.

A limited number of fellowships may be available to students working on, or who are interested in, learning and applying CGE modeling to inform policy debates regarding the most pressing questions related to global economic analysis. The fellowships will cover $2,500 towards the registration fees, reducing the amount owed by the recipient to $1,500. Those interested in being considered for a fellowship should submit a two-page narrative (maximum, as a PDF) on the application form that describes their area of interest, accomplishments, and current/future research directions. To the extent possible, identify why the application of an economy-wide analytical framework will enhance the impact of your research as well as beneficiaries of your research. Please address how your previous training and professional/academic experience have prepared you for formal policy analysis. The name and contact information for two references, professional or academic, should also be included at the end of the document. Demand for this course, as well as fellowships, are very high; therefore, we encourage early application.

All cancellations must be emailed to Ginger Batta. Registered participants who are unable to participate will receive a 50% refund until May 2, 2021. No refunds will be made after this date. Deferments to later courses are not allowed.

• Windows 7 or later (no Macs)
• 32-bit or higher
• i5 or higher processor
• 500MB free hard drive space
• 1GB RAM
• Administrator access
• Laptop must be in English for the duration of the course

Registered and paid participants requiring an invitation letter to include in visa and/or financial assistance applications should click the link above to have an electronic copy emailed to them. Please note that hard copies will not be provided.

Travelers requiring a visa to enter the United States should review the U.S. Department of State's website for details on applying for and obtaining the appropriate visa.

All travelers should be up-to-date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. For requirements specific to the United States, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana which is approximately 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Indianapolis, Indiana and 120 miles (195 km) southeast of Chicago, Illinois.

• Via Indianapolis - Those wishing to fly into the Indianapolis International Airport can rent a car and drive and to West Lafayette or take the Lafayette Limo or Reindeer shuttle services.
• Via Chicago - Those wishing to fly into the Chicago O'Hare International Airport can rent a car and drive to West Lafayette or take the Express Air Coach, Lafayette Limo, or Reindeer shuttle services.
• Campus Parking - Visitor parking is available in the Grant Street Parking Garage, adjacent to the Purdue Memorial Union, 101 N. Grant St, West Lafayette, IN.

*Reservations should be made in advance for all airport shuttles. Be advised that airport shuttles may not drop off or pick up directly from your hotel. Please be sure to look into these details when selecting a service.

• Currency - The official currency of the United States is the US Dollar (USD).
• Banks and Foreign Exchange - Normal banking hours in the US are Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm. There are a number of banks near Purdue University, some of which offer foreign currency exchange. Exchange bureaus are also available at the international airports. ATMs are available throughout the campus and town.
• Credit Cards - Visa and MasterCard are accepted at nearly all establishments. American Express and Discover are also accepted, but not as widespread.
• Tipping - While tipping is not mandatory, it is customary for service in the US, specifically for dining, transportation, and lodging.
• Sales Tax - Sales tax will be applied to many purchases in the USA.
• Health and Safety - In the event of a health or safety emergency in the USA, dial 911.

Ginger Batta (gbatta@purdue.edu)
Senior Program Manager
Center for Global Trade Analysis
Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
403 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2056 USA