2.0

credits

Average Course Rating

Amid a global transformation driven by the rise of emerging markets, rapid urbanization, unprecedented technological and physical connectivity, and growing global middle classes, where does the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region fit into these powerful drivers of the future? This course will “locate” several MENA countries, cities, and companies in the broader emerging markets debate, with a particular emphasis on the leading private sector companies and business leaders shaping the region, as well as the region’s inter-connectivity with Asia and Africa. The course will urge students to “disrupt” traditional geo-political paradigmatic thinking in favor of a more geo-commercial look at the region. The course will also take a deep dive into the hub city of Dubai as an emerging “Hong Kong of South Asia”, and “Miami of Africa,” and explore the role of hub cities more broadly. Course lectures and guest speakers will focus on high growth, consumer-facing sectors in the region, including aviation, telecommunications, media, retail, food, banking and technology start-ups. Students will emerge from the course with a broad understanding of the geo-commercial “location” of the MENA region globally and a familiarity with the leading commercial enterprises and actors. Guest speakers will be senior practitioners from the private and public sectors with broad regional experience, as well as entrepreneurs and thought leaders. <a href="http://bit.ly/1bebp5s" target="_blank">Click here to see evaluations, syllabi, and faculty bios</a>