ECON
2a
A Survey of Economics
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Intended for students who are not Economics majors or minors. May not be taken for credit by students who took ECON 10a in prior years. Concurrent enrollment in ECON 10a is not allowed.
Introduces economic analysis with policy applications. The economist's approach to social analysis is systematically elaborated. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
10a
Introduction to Microeconomics
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Intended for Economics majors and minors or students who intend to take more than one Economics course. Students who have taken ECON 2a and received a B+ or better cannot receive credit for this course, and concurrent enrollment in ECON 2a is not allowed. May not be taken for credit by students concurrently with or after they have taken ECON 80a.
Introduces the field of microeconomics, which is the study of how individuals and firms make decisions and how these decisions interact. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
20a
Introduction to Macroeconomics
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a with a B+ or higher or ECON 10a. May not be taken for credit by students concurrently with or after they have taken ECON 82b.
Introduces the field of macroeconomics. Macroeconomics is the study of the overall or aggregate economic performance of national economies. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
25a
Oral Communication in Economics Practicum
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a. Course may be taken as a corequisite. Yields half-course credit.
Introduces students to techniques of public speaking in economics using microeconomic applications. Teaches students to explain real-world economic problems to an audience using economic reasoning. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
26b
Writing in Economics Practicum
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b. Course may be taken as a corequisite. Yields half-course credit.
Introduces students to how economists communicate research and policy analyses to the public through writing exercises on macroeconomic policy and economic indicators. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
27a
A Day in the Life of An Economist
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Prerequisite: ECON 20a.
Introduces students to the challenges and rewards of working as a professional economist and develops research and writing and oral communications skills used in the practice of economics. Usually offered every year.
ECON
28b
The Global Economy
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Prerequisites: ECON 2a or ECON 10a and ECON 20a. ECON 20a may be taken concurrently with ECON 28b.
Applies the basic tools and models of economic analysis to a wide range of topics in international economics. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
30a
The Economy of China
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Analysis of China's economic transformation with particular emphasis on China's economic reforms since 1978, including the restructuring of its enterprise, fiscal, financial, and political systems and the roles of trade, foreign investment, and technology in driving China's economic advance. Usually offered every year.
ECON
35b
History of Taxation
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Traces taxation from the origins of coinage (560 BCE) to the proposed global minimum corporate tax (2021+). We examine taxes within the supply-and-demand model, including discussions of deadweight loss and allocative efficiency. Additionally, the course focuses on the political economy, welfare, and equity impacts of taxation. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
36b
Climate Change Economics and Policy
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Examines essential concepts economists and other social scientists use to consider the link between climate change and human society. We will explore specific topics of climate impacts and justice, as well as how to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Special one-time offering, spring 2021.
ECON
50a
Sustainable Business Strategy and Consumption: Economic Foundations and Scandinavian Case Studies
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Examines sustainability through an economic lens while analyzing decisions of businesses, consumers, and policymakers. Studies consumer preferences and adaptation to market demands, market failures and tragedy of the commons, risk vs. uncertainty, and cost-benefit analysis. Explores the complexity of managing the environment for all of humanity's common good. Usually offered every year.
ECON
55a
American Economic History
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Formerly offered as ECON/HIS 55a.
Analyzes the sources of American economic growth from colonial times until the end of the twentieth century. Topics include immigration, land policy, industrialization, and the increasing role of government in shaping economic performance. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
57a
Environmental Economics
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Investigates the theoretical and policy problems posed by the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources. Theoretical topics include the optimal pricing of resources, the optimal use of standards and taxes to correct pollution problems under uncertainty, and the measurement of costs and benefits. Usually offered every year.
ECON
59b
The Economics of Education
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
An introduction to economic analysis of the education sector. Topics include the concept of human capital, private and social return on investment in education, cost-benefit analysis of special educational programs, and issues in the financing of education. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
65b
Governance, Bureaucracy, and Economic Development
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Analyzes the role of institutions, governance, and bureaucracy in economic development. Topics include transaction costs, role of institutions, governance performance indicators, causes and consequences of corruption, anti-corruption policies, principal-agent theory and bureaucratic behavior. The course also includes a detailed case study on the role of governance and bureaucratic reforms in China's economic success since 1980. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
69a
The Economics of Race and Gender
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
The role of race and gender in economic decision making. Mainstream and alternative economic explanations for discrimination, and analysis of the economic status of women and minorities. Discussion of specific public policies related to race, class, and gender. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
70a
American Fiscal Policy
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Examines Federal and State level tax and spending decisions with a focus on debt crises, the financing of wars and infrastructure, and the political debates surrounding choices made. Theories of monetary and fiscal policy will be presented and evaluated. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
76b
Labor Economics
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Analysis of competitive and less-than-competitive markets. Rationale for alternate methods of paying workers (e.g., hourly wages, piece rates, bonuses). Sources of wage differentials among jobs and workers. The U.S. labor movement, the process of collective bargaining, and the economic effects of unions. Effects of government interventions in the labor market, such as the minimum wage and occupational safety regulation. Extent and effects of discrimination in the labor market. Inequality in the distribution of wages. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
80a
Microeconomic Theory
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Students must earn C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course.
Analysis of the behavior of economic units within a market economy. Emphasis upon individuals' decisions as demanders of goods and suppliers of resources, and firms' decisions as suppliers of goods and demanders of resources under various market structures. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
82b
Macroeconomic Theory
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Prerequisite: ECON 20a. Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course.
Models of the determination of economic aggregates, such as national income, consumption, investment, government spending, exports, imports, and international capital flows, and economy-wide variables, such as the interest rate, the exchange rate, the price level and inflation, and the unemployment rate. The influence of fiscal and monetary policies on these aggregates and variables is examined. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
83a
Statistics for Economic Analysis
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course.
A first course in statistical inference. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, normal and binomial distributions, sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, properties of estimators, hypothesis testing, regression, and analysis of variance. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
92a
Internship
Signature of the Undergraduate Advising Head required. Does not count toward the major in economics.
Available to economics majors who wish to do an internship as part of an interdepartmental program (e.g., legal studies, environmental studies), where the internship itself will be in an area related to economics. Any economics major not seeking credit for such a program should enroll instead in BUS 89b, an internship class connected to the business major and minor (see the Business section of this Bulletin for the course description). Usually offered by request.
ECON
93a
Independent Research
Subject to the availability of research positions and requires the signature of the instructor. Does not count toward the major or minor in Economics. May only be taken once.
Provides students with an opportunity to work with a faculty member on an aspect of the faculty supervisor's research. The student and faculty member mutually design a one-semester project that contributes to ongoing research. Students must meet regularly with their faculty supervisor and present their findings in oral and written form at the end of the semester. Projects typically involve background reading to provide context and data collection and analysis. Usually offered every year.
ECON
98a
Independent Study
Signature of the instructor required. Does not count toward the major or minor in economics.
Normally available for a student who has taken a course and wishes to pursue further reading or research in that field or study a subject not listed among the department course offerings. Usually offered every year.
ECON
98b
Independent Study
Yields half-course credit. Signature of the instructor required. Does not count toward the major or minor in economics.
See ECON 98a for course description. Usually offered every year.
ECON
99a
Senior Research
Signature of the instructor required. Does not count toward the major in economics.
A senior Economics major whose GPA in economics courses is 3.50 or above and who has completed ECON 184b or an equivalent course may petition to be admitted to the senior honors program and to enroll in this course. Usually offered every year.
ECON
99b
Senior Thesis
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of ECON 99a. Signature of the instructor required. Does not count toward the major in economics.
Senior Economics majors who wish to complete a senior honors thesis normally enroll in this course. Usually offered every year.
ECON
122b
The Economics of the Middle East
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a or the equivalent. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
Examines the Middle East economies ' past experiences, present situation, and future challenges ' drawing on theories, policy formulations and empirical studies of economic growth, trade, poverty, income distribution, labor markets, finance and banking, government reforms, globalization, and Arab-Israeli political economy. Usually offered every year.
ECON
132a
Normative Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 82b.
The overarching question of normative economics is, what is the objective that policymakers should pursue? We will begin by exploring the role that individual preferences play in shaping the desirable social objective. We will then discuss approaches for balancing competing interests of different individuals. Finally, we will focus on the extent to which policymakers’ decisions should account for the interests of future generations. Usually offered every year.
ECON
134b
Public Sector Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
The effect of tax and expenditure policies on economic efficiency and equity. Topics include externalities and public goods, public choice, cost-benefit analysis, income redistribution, social security, and health care. Also discussion of the U.S. tax system, public debt, and state and local finance. Usually offered every year.
ECON
135a
Industrial Organization
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Microeconomic analysis of firm behavior under alternative market structures and implications for market outcomes. Topics include strategic interaction, entry and exit, collusion, predation, price discrimination, product differentiation, vertical relations, imperfect information, advertising, and patents and innovation. Usually offered every year.
ECON
136b
Economics of Digitization
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 184b.
Studies how technological advances fundamentally change how markets function, leading to novel firm strategies and consumer harms. Topics include: pricing digital goods, review/ratings platforms, advertising, search platforms, resale of digital goods, etc. Usually offered every year.
ECON
140a
Economic Growth
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Prerequisites: ECON 20a and ECON 83a.
Aims to answer why some countries are rich and others are poor. It explores the underlying determinants of economic growth using both theoretical and empirical approaches. Proximate Determinants, including physical capital, human capital, and technology, are examined in comparison with Deep Determinants, including geography, institutions, culture, religion, and historical events. Usually offered every year.
ECON
141b
Economics of Innovation
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Studies innovation and technological change as the central focus of modern economies. Topics include the sources of growth, economics of research and development, innovation, diffusion and technology transfer, appropriability, patents, information markets, productivity, institutional innovation, and global competitiveness. Usually offered every year.
ECON
142b
Behavioral Economics: European Case Studies
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course. Corequisite: ECON 80a. Course to be taught at Brandeis program in Copenhagen.
Behavioral economics rethinks the standard economic model of human behavior by integrating experiential learning and psychological research into economic theory. This course is based on behavioral economic theory and cases from Denmark and Europe examining choices of individuals. Usually offered every year.
ECON
143a
Behavioral Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a.
Uses insights from psychology and the tools of microeconomic theory to study how our choices deviate from those of the perfectly rational, fully informed, self-interested “homo economicus” and considers the normative implications of our choices and potential public policy interventions. Usually offered every year.
ECON
148b
Introduction to Machine Learning with Economic Applications
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Prerequisite: ECON 83a. Prior experience with Python recommended. Cannot be taken by students who completed COSI/ECON 148b or COSI 104a.
Provides an understanding of machine learning techniques, considers how to evaluate their performance, and demonstrates how they can be used to solve real-world problems in economics and business. The course involves hands-on experience applying/implementing machine learning models using Python. Usually offered every year.
ECON
150b
Urban and Regional Economics
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a.
Examines the main economic forces that lead to the establishment and growth of cities and economic regions. Develops theories of urban and regional growth. Analyzes patterns of firm location, agglomeration, city growth and urban land use. Usually offered every third year.
ECON
151a
Statistical Modeling with R for Economics and Finance
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Prerequisite: ECON 83a.
Introduces students to statistical modeling using R, with applications to real-world issues in economics and finance. Topics include: describing data; computing of probability; data generation; Markov-Monte Carlo methods and Bayesian linear regression. Teaches the basics of programming in R, including how to write functions, store and manage data, and produce data visualizations. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
155b
Change on Earth: Evolution, Technical Change, and Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a.
Analyzes evolution and technical change in the broadest possible context, as interactions between the Earth's biological and physical environments. The course spans a wide variety of concepts and literature exploring the interactions between economics and science that create change. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
160a
International Trade Theory
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Causes and consequences of international trade and factor movements. Topics include determinants of trade, effects on welfare and income distribution, trade and growth, protection, foreign investment, immigration, and preferential trading. Usually offered every year.
ECON
161a
International Macroeconomics and Finance
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Applications of international economic theory--regarding trade, the balance of payments, investments, and exchange rates--to the management of import/export firms and multinational corporations. Usually offered every year.
ECON
172b
Money and Banking
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Prerequisites: ECON 82b and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Examines the relationship of the financial system to real economic activity, focusing especially on banks and central banks. Topics include the monetary and payments systems; financial instruments and their pricing; the structure, management, and regulation of bank and nonbank financial intermediaries; and the design and operations of central banks in a modern economy. Usually offered every year.
ECON
173a
Central Banking: Theory and Policy
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Studies the purposes and functions of central banks over time and the challenges they confront. Examines central banks' roles in the recent financial crisis and explores current debates over the policies that central banks are following in its aftermath. Usually offered every other year.
ECON
174a
Inflation Dynamics and Monetary Policy
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Explores the drivers and dynamics of inflation, past and present. The class combines formal mathematical modeling, discussions and debates about macroeconomic policy in the real world, and review of relevant macroeconomic events, with an emphasis on the history of macroeconomic thought. Usually offered every year.
ECON
175a
Introduction to the Economics of Development
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a or permission of the instructor. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
An introduction to various models of economic growth and development and evaluation of these perspectives from the experience of developing and industrial countries. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
176a
Health, Hunger, and the Household in Developing Countries
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 184b or permission of the instructor.
Examines aspects of poverty and nutrition that are confronted by households in low-income countries. Examines these issues primarily from a microeconomic perspective, although some macroeconomic angles are explored as well. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
178a
Empirical Analysis of Labor Market Institutions
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Prerequisite: ECON 184b.
Uses real-world data and empirical analysis to examine how labor market structure and policies can shape workers’ career and life trajectories and inequalities. Offers first-hand quantitative data analysis experience using various labor market data to measure the effect of technological innovation, immigration, minimum wage, and policy changes. Learns how to develop predictions from microeconomic theory on labor market and worker outcomes and critically evaluate applied microeconomic papers. Usually offered every year.
ECON
181b
Game Theory and Economic Applications
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a, ECON 83a, and MATH 10a or equivalent.
Analysis of decision making in multiperson settings. Studies models of equilibrium and various kinds of games under perfect and imperfect information. The applications include business strategy and competition, auctions, and risk sharing. Usually offered every year.
ECON
182a
Topics in Advanced Macroeconomics
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a, ECON 82b, and ECON 83a.
Contemporary theories of economic growth, business cycles, monetary economics, and financial crises and their implications for monetary and fiscal policy. Emphasis on empirical work and computer modeling. Usually offered every year.
ECON
184b
Econometrics
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Prerequisites: ECON 83a. Corequisite: ECON 80a or permission of the instructor. Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course. This course may not be taken for credit by students who have previously taken or are currently enrolled in ECON 185a, ECON 213a, or ECON 311a.
An introduction to the theory of econometric regression and forecasting models, with applications to the analysis of business and economic data. Usually offered every year.
ECON
191b
Econometric Methods for Causal Inference
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Prerequisite: ECON 184b.
An introduction to methods for causal inference in economics and related fields. Topics include the potential outcomes framework, randomized controlled trials, regression, methods based on the propensity score, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, synthetic controls, and regression discontinuity designs. Emphasis on applications in fields such as labor, education, development, and health economics. Usually offered every second year.
ECON/FIN
171a
Financial Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to financial economics. Topics include the selection of assets, portfolio choice under uncertainty, equilibrium asset pricing models, the efficient markets hypothesis, futures, and options markets. Usually offered every year.
ECON
202a
Applied International Macroeconomics
Using countries to illustrate, this course covers domestic and international macroeconomics. Topics include the goals and functioning of monetary authorities, financial crises, international competitiveness and PPP, exchange rate regimes, hyperinflation, and the sustainability of government finances. Students also master basic skills for manipulating and presenting macroeconomic information. Usually offered every year.
ECON
207a
Managerial Economics
May not be taken for credit by students who took ECON 80a. Teaches students to apply basic microeconomic concepts to business and management decision-making. Key concepts include consumer behavior, properties of market supply and demand, firm's production decisions, market structures, government interventions in the markets, and optimal pricing strategy under various market conditions such as monopoly and oligopoly. Usually offered every year.
ECON
213a
Applied Econometrics with R
Prerequisite: ECON 210a. May not be taken for credit by students who took ECON 184b.
Aims at introducing econometric models and empirical techniques that are useful to conduct economic research with data. The course covers linear regression models, discrete choice models, time series models, and panel data models. We will devote significant space to empirical applications, and give the students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on how to conduct empirical work in econometrics using the R programming language. Usually offered every year.
ECON
241a
Antitrust Economics: Regulating Competition
Prerequisites: ECON 80a or ECON 207a.
Studies antitrust economics and economic regulation. The first part of the course will introduce the student to the economics of antitrust and to the economic theories and tools needed to understand and conduct antitrust policy analysis. The second part of the course will focus on economic regulation and introduce the student to the theory and practice of economic regulation involving the basics of natural monopoly regulation as applied to public utilities such as electricity, gas, water and telecommunications. Usually offered every year.
ECON
260a
International Trade Policy and Institutions
Prerequisite: Intermediate Microeconomics or ECON 207a.
Develops the fundamental economic theories behind the various policies that regulate and interfere with international trade. Examines the predominant national and international institutions that are charged with administering these policies as well as the scope and process for potential reform. Usually offered every year.
ECON
261a
Empirical Methods for Economic Consulting
Prerequisite: ECON 184b or ECON 213a.
Applies and extends econometric tools to analyze current economic issues in global trade, economic development, environmental sustainability, and more. Offers hands-on work with real-world data, where students apply advanced techniques, with a focus on economic consulting. Students carry out their own original research, from hypothesis to data collection, testing and evaluation. Usually offered every year.
ECON
270a
Economic Development Strategies
Prerequisites: At least one semester of undergraduate microeconomics and one semester of undergraduate macroeconomics, or the equivalent.
Discusses the current situation of developing countries and the main theories of development and underdevelopment. Introduces the field and tools of development economics, explores the theoretical and policy debates around developing economies, and looks at alternative development strategies. Usually offered every year.
ECON
298a
Independent Study
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading or research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
298f
Independent Study
Open only to IBS students. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Normally available for a student who wishes to pursue advanced reading on research in a subject or field not available in the department's course listings. Usually offered every year.
ECON
301a
Advanced Microeconomics I
Prerequisites: Prior coursework in microeconomics, multivariate calculus, and linear algebra.
Study of the theories of microeconomics, including optimization, theory of the firm, theory of the consumer, duality theory, general equilibrium, welfare economics, public goods, and externalities. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
302a
Advanced Microeconomics II
Prerequisites: ECON 301a.
This course will focus on game theory with specific emphasis on its application to firm behavior, information economics, and the study of market organization including auctions. Important contributions of behavioral economics will also be addressed in this course. A strong emphasis will be placed on acquiring the tools that are required for economic research. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
303a
Advanced Macroeconomics I
Prerequisites: Prior coursework in microeconomics, multivariate calculus, and linear algebra.
Study of modern theories of short-run and long-run determination of aggregate income. Topics include private consumption and investment behavior, fiscal policy, the current account and exchange rates, economic growth, and stochastic dynamic programming with applications to macroeconomics. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
304a
Advanced Macroeconomics II
Prerequisite: ECON 303a.
Current research issues in macroeconomics, such as the impact of supply shocks, real demand shocks, and monetary shocks on output, interest rates, and exchange rates. Empirical studies and testing of competing macroeconomic theories. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
307f
Applied Methods: Macroeconomics
Prerequisites: ECON 301a, ECON 302a, ECON 303a, ECON 304a, and ECON 311a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
This course is an advanced PhD-level course in macroeconomics. It studies the concepts behind key economic aggregates and (dynamic) inter-relations amongst them, with a particular focus on business cycles and monetary economics. It provides insights into major modern macroeconomic models developed and thereby, tools for analysis of macroeconomic and policy questions, forming a basis for future research work. Prerequisites include graduate-level macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometrics. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
308f
Applied Methods: Microeconomics
Prerequisites: ECON 301a, ECON 303a, and ECON 311a. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit. Intended for IBS PhD students.
This advanced course for PhD students in economics covers empirical methods in applied microeconomics, including both reduced-form and structural approaches. Topics include difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, discrete choice models of differentiated products demand, dynamic optimization models, moment inequalities, and web scraping. The course integrates theoretical foundations with practical skills, equipping students to apply these methods through hands-on problem sets. Prerequisites include graduate-level microeconomics, econometrics, and game theory. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
311a
Advanced Econometrics I
Prerequisite: ECON 213a.
Econometric theory and applications. Discusses the statistical theory of regression modeling and associated hypothesis testing, with emphasis on the construction, interpretation, and use of econometric models. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
312a
Time Series Econometrics
Prerequisite: ECON 213a.
Examines the models and statistical techniques used to study time series data. Topics will include linear and non-linear univariate as well as multivariate econometric models. One objective of the course is to provide the students with a good understanding of econometric models for time series data. These models are widely used in the empirical literature, and a good understanding of these models is crucial for the second objective of the course: to provide the students with the ability to evaluate recent empirical studies. The third objective of the course is to develop practical skills, which are necessary to perform independent research using real world data. A theme throughout the course is the use of computational methods for analyzing the material covered in class, and throughout the course we will rely heavily on examples and applications with Matlab. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
330a
International Macroeconomics
Prerequisite: ECON 304a.
Applications of macroeconomic theory to open economies. Topics include international parity theorems, models of exchange rate determination, and central bank management of the exchange-rate. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
332f
Topics in Empirical International Economics: Questions, Methods, and Data
Prerequisite: Open to IBS PhD students only. Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.
Students present and discuss current working papers in economics and finance focusing on the questions that are being asked, the empirical methods used, and the sources of data. Course prepares students for the thesis process and for presenting thesis work. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
360a
International Trade Theory
Prerequisite: ECON 301a. Open only to International Business School students.
Studies economic models explaining comparative advantage and the gains from trade, followed by trade policies at the center of current global debate. Examines empirical contributions testing the implications of trade and trade policy for welfare, wage inequality, growth, employment, sustainability, global production networks, and more. Students design their own empirical research proposal. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
370a
Development Economics
Prerequisite: ECON 302a.
Introduces selected topics in the micro-economic literature in development economics. Also teaches advanced empirical techniques that are commonly used.Usually offered every second year.
ECON
398a
Independent Study
Normally available for a PhD student who wishes to pursue advanced reading under the direction of a faculty member. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
399a
Dissertation Workshop
Prerequisites: ECON 302a and ECON 304a.
Third year and above PhD students present to PhD cohort and faculty. Presentation and discussion of dissertation topics and work in progress. Graded on a satisfactory / unsatisfactory basis. Usually offered every semester.
BUS
47a
Business Communication
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Prerequisite: BUS 6a and BUS 10a. Enrollment limited to Business Majors.
Success in today's competitive corporate world stems from an individual's strong communication skills. As a future professional, you will be asked to organize, develop, and deliver concise presentations and write business specific that meet a range target audiences' needs in a variety of business contexts. This course will help you prepare and develop your written, oral, visual, and digital communication skills, as well as your critical and analytical thinking skills. Emphasis will focus on real business cases, my personal business experiences, and communication styles and techniques represented in the business community. By the end of this class, you will understand how to communicate professionally using various business communication techniques and applications based on the audience you are communicating with and in what context through practice and feedback from both professor and peers will be an important part of this course. Usually offered every year.
ECON
26b
Writing in Economics Practicum
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b. Course may be taken as a corequisite. Yields half-course credit.
Introduces students to how economists communicate research and policy analyses to the public through writing exercises on macroeconomic policy and economic indicators. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
27a
A Day in the Life of An Economist
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Prerequisite: ECON 20a.
Introduces students to the challenges and rewards of working as a professional economist and develops research and writing and oral communications skills used in the practice of economics. Usually offered every year.
ECON
28b
The Global Economy
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ss
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Prerequisites: ECON 2a or ECON 10a and ECON 20a. ECON 20a may be taken concurrently with ECON 28b.
Applies the basic tools and models of economic analysis to a wide range of topics in international economics. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
65b
Governance, Bureaucracy, and Economic Development
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Analyzes the role of institutions, governance, and bureaucracy in economic development. Topics include transaction costs, role of institutions, governance performance indicators, causes and consequences of corruption, anti-corruption policies, principal-agent theory and bureaucratic behavior. The course also includes a detailed case study on the role of governance and bureaucratic reforms in China's economic success since 1980. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
122b
The Economics of the Middle East
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a or the equivalent. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
Examines the Middle East economies ' past experiences, present situation, and future challenges ' drawing on theories, policy formulations and empirical studies of economic growth, trade, poverty, income distribution, labor markets, finance and banking, government reforms, globalization, and Arab-Israeli political economy. Usually offered every year.
ECON
143a
Behavioral Economics
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ss
wi
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a.
Uses insights from psychology and the tools of microeconomic theory to study how our choices deviate from those of the perfectly rational, fully informed, self-interested “homo economicus” and considers the normative implications of our choices and potential public policy interventions. Usually offered every year.
ECON
150b
Urban and Regional Economics
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a.
Examines the main economic forces that lead to the establishment and growth of cities and economic regions. Develops theories of urban and regional growth. Analyzes patterns of firm location, agglomeration, city growth and urban land use. Usually offered every third year.
ECON
172b
Money and Banking
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Prerequisites: ECON 82b and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Examines the relationship of the financial system to real economic activity, focusing especially on banks and central banks. Topics include the monetary and payments systems; financial instruments and their pricing; the structure, management, and regulation of bank and nonbank financial intermediaries; and the design and operations of central banks in a modern economy. Usually offered every year.
ECON
173a
Central Banking: Theory and Policy
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Studies the purposes and functions of central banks over time and the challenges they confront. Examines central banks' roles in the recent financial crisis and explores current debates over the policies that central banks are following in its aftermath. Usually offered every other year.
ECON
175a
Introduction to the Economics of Development
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a or permission of the instructor. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
An introduction to various models of economic growth and development and evaluation of these perspectives from the experience of developing and industrial countries. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
191b
Econometric Methods for Causal Inference
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ss
wi
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Prerequisite: ECON 184b.
An introduction to methods for causal inference in economics and related fields. Topics include the potential outcomes framework, randomized controlled trials, regression, methods based on the propensity score, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, synthetic controls, and regression discontinuity designs. Emphasis on applications in fields such as labor, education, development, and health economics. Usually offered every second year.
BUS
47a
Business Communication
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Prerequisite: BUS 6a and BUS 10a. Enrollment limited to Business Majors.
Success in today's competitive corporate world stems from an individual's strong communication skills. As a future professional, you will be asked to organize, develop, and deliver concise presentations and write business specific that meet a range target audiences' needs in a variety of business contexts. This course will help you prepare and develop your written, oral, visual, and digital communication skills, as well as your critical and analytical thinking skills. Emphasis will focus on real business cases, my personal business experiences, and communication styles and techniques represented in the business community. By the end of this class, you will understand how to communicate professionally using various business communication techniques and applications based on the audience you are communicating with and in what context through practice and feedback from both professor and peers will be an important part of this course. Usually offered every year.
ECON
25a
Oral Communication in Economics Practicum
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oc
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a. Course may be taken as a corequisite. Yields half-course credit.
Introduces students to techniques of public speaking in economics using microeconomic applications. Teaches students to explain real-world economic problems to an audience using economic reasoning. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
27a
A Day in the Life of An Economist
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oc
ss
wi
]
Prerequisite: ECON 20a.
Introduces students to the challenges and rewards of working as a professional economist and develops research and writing and oral communications skills used in the practice of economics. Usually offered every year.
ECON
35b
History of Taxation
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oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Traces taxation from the origins of coinage (560 BCE) to the proposed global minimum corporate tax (2021+). We examine taxes within the supply-and-demand model, including discussions of deadweight loss and allocative efficiency. Additionally, the course focuses on the political economy, welfare, and equity impacts of taxation. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
55a
American Economic History
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deis-us
oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Formerly offered as ECON/HIS 55a.
Analyzes the sources of American economic growth from colonial times until the end of the twentieth century. Topics include immigration, land policy, industrialization, and the increasing role of government in shaping economic performance. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
57a
Environmental Economics
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oc
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Investigates the theoretical and policy problems posed by the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources. Theoretical topics include the optimal pricing of resources, the optimal use of standards and taxes to correct pollution problems under uncertainty, and the measurement of costs and benefits. Usually offered every year.
ECON
69a
The Economics of Race and Gender
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deis-us
oc
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
The role of race and gender in economic decision making. Mainstream and alternative economic explanations for discrimination, and analysis of the economic status of women and minorities. Discussion of specific public policies related to race, class, and gender. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
134b
Public Sector Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
The effect of tax and expenditure policies on economic efficiency and equity. Topics include externalities and public goods, public choice, cost-benefit analysis, income redistribution, social security, and health care. Also discussion of the U.S. tax system, public debt, and state and local finance. Usually offered every year.
ECON
135a
Industrial Organization
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Microeconomic analysis of firm behavior under alternative market structures and implications for market outcomes. Topics include strategic interaction, entry and exit, collusion, predation, price discrimination, product differentiation, vertical relations, imperfect information, advertising, and patents and innovation. Usually offered every year.
ECON
136b
Economics of Digitization
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 184b.
Studies how technological advances fundamentally change how markets function, leading to novel firm strategies and consumer harms. Topics include: pricing digital goods, review/ratings platforms, advertising, search platforms, resale of digital goods, etc. Usually offered every year.
ECON
140a
Economic Growth
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Prerequisites: ECON 20a and ECON 83a.
Aims to answer why some countries are rich and others are poor. It explores the underlying determinants of economic growth using both theoretical and empirical approaches. Proximate Determinants, including physical capital, human capital, and technology, are examined in comparison with Deep Determinants, including geography, institutions, culture, religion, and historical events. Usually offered every year.
ECON
148b
Introduction to Machine Learning with Economic Applications
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oc
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Prerequisite: ECON 83a. Prior experience with Python recommended. Cannot be taken by students who completed COSI/ECON 148b or COSI 104a.
Provides an understanding of machine learning techniques, considers how to evaluate their performance, and demonstrates how they can be used to solve real-world problems in economics and business. The course involves hands-on experience applying/implementing machine learning models using Python. Usually offered every year.
ECON
178a
Empirical Analysis of Labor Market Institutions
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deis-us
oc
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Prerequisite: ECON 184b.
Uses real-world data and empirical analysis to examine how labor market structure and policies can shape workers’ career and life trajectories and inequalities. Offers first-hand quantitative data analysis experience using various labor market data to measure the effect of technological innovation, immigration, minimum wage, and policy changes. Learns how to develop predictions from microeconomic theory on labor market and worker outcomes and critically evaluate applied microeconomic papers. Usually offered every year.
ECON
182a
Topics in Advanced Macroeconomics
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oc
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a, ECON 82b, and ECON 83a.
Contemporary theories of economic growth, business cycles, monetary economics, and financial crises and their implications for monetary and fiscal policy. Emphasis on empirical work and computer modeling. Usually offered every year.
ECON
83a
Statistics for Economic Analysis
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course.
A first course in statistical inference. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, normal and binomial distributions, sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, properties of estimators, hypothesis testing, regression, and analysis of variance. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
184b
Econometrics
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Prerequisites: ECON 83a. Corequisite: ECON 80a or permission of the instructor. Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course. This course may not be taken for credit by students who have previously taken or are currently enrolled in ECON 185a, ECON 213a, or ECON 311a.
An introduction to the theory of econometric regression and forecasting models, with applications to the analysis of business and economic data. Usually offered every year.
ECON
132a
Normative Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 82b.
The overarching question of normative economics is, what is the objective that policymakers should pursue? We will begin by exploring the role that individual preferences play in shaping the desirable social objective. We will then discuss approaches for balancing competing interests of different individuals. Finally, we will focus on the extent to which policymakers’ decisions should account for the interests of future generations. Usually offered every year.
ECON
134b
Public Sector Economics
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oc
ss
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
The effect of tax and expenditure policies on economic efficiency and equity. Topics include externalities and public goods, public choice, cost-benefit analysis, income redistribution, social security, and health care. Also discussion of the U.S. tax system, public debt, and state and local finance. Usually offered every year.
ECON
135a
Industrial Organization
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oc
qr
ss
]
Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Microeconomic analysis of firm behavior under alternative market structures and implications for market outcomes. Topics include strategic interaction, entry and exit, collusion, predation, price discrimination, product differentiation, vertical relations, imperfect information, advertising, and patents and innovation. Usually offered every year.
ECON
136b
Economics of Digitization
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oc
ss
]
Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 184b.
Studies how technological advances fundamentally change how markets function, leading to novel firm strategies and consumer harms. Topics include: pricing digital goods, review/ratings platforms, advertising, search platforms, resale of digital goods, etc. Usually offered every year.
ECON
140a
Economic Growth
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oc
ss
]
Prerequisites: ECON 20a and ECON 83a.
Aims to answer why some countries are rich and others are poor. It explores the underlying determinants of economic growth using both theoretical and empirical approaches. Proximate Determinants, including physical capital, human capital, and technology, are examined in comparison with Deep Determinants, including geography, institutions, culture, religion, and historical events. Usually offered every year.
ECON
141b
Economics of Innovation
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ss
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Studies innovation and technological change as the central focus of modern economies. Topics include the sources of growth, economics of research and development, innovation, diffusion and technology transfer, appropriability, patents, information markets, productivity, institutional innovation, and global competitiveness. Usually offered every year.
ECON
142b
Behavioral Economics: European Case Studies
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 10a, or otherwise satisfy the calculus requirement, to enroll in this course. Corequisite: ECON 80a. Course to be taught at Brandeis program in Copenhagen.
Behavioral economics rethinks the standard economic model of human behavior by integrating experiential learning and psychological research into economic theory. This course is based on behavioral economic theory and cases from Denmark and Europe examining choices of individuals. Usually offered every year.
ECON
143a
Behavioral Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a.
Uses insights from psychology and the tools of microeconomic theory to study how our choices deviate from those of the perfectly rational, fully informed, self-interested “homo economicus” and considers the normative implications of our choices and potential public policy interventions. Usually offered every year.
ECON
148b
Introduction to Machine Learning with Economic Applications
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oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 83a. Prior experience with Python recommended. Cannot be taken by students who completed COSI/ECON 148b or COSI 104a.
Provides an understanding of machine learning techniques, considers how to evaluate their performance, and demonstrates how they can be used to solve real-world problems in economics and business. The course involves hands-on experience applying/implementing machine learning models using Python. Usually offered every year.
ECON
150b
Urban and Regional Economics
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Prerequisite: ECON 80a.
Examines the main economic forces that lead to the establishment and growth of cities and economic regions. Develops theories of urban and regional growth. Analyzes patterns of firm location, agglomeration, city growth and urban land use. Usually offered every third year.
ECON
151a
Statistical Modeling with R for Economics and Finance
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Prerequisite: ECON 83a.
Introduces students to statistical modeling using R, with applications to real-world issues in economics and finance. Topics include: describing data; computing of probability; data generation; Markov-Monte Carlo methods and Bayesian linear regression. Teaches the basics of programming in R, including how to write functions, store and manage data, and produce data visualizations. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
155b
Change on Earth: Evolution, Technical Change, and Economics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a.
Analyzes evolution and technical change in the broadest possible context, as interactions between the Earth's biological and physical environments. The course spans a wide variety of concepts and literature exploring the interactions between economics and science that create change. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
160a
International Trade Theory
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Causes and consequences of international trade and factor movements. Topics include determinants of trade, effects on welfare and income distribution, trade and growth, protection, foreign investment, immigration, and preferential trading. Usually offered every year.
ECON
161a
International Macroeconomics and Finance
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Applications of international economic theory--regarding trade, the balance of payments, investments, and exchange rates--to the management of import/export firms and multinational corporations. Usually offered every year.
ECON
172b
Money and Banking
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ss
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Prerequisites: ECON 82b and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
Examines the relationship of the financial system to real economic activity, focusing especially on banks and central banks. Topics include the monetary and payments systems; financial instruments and their pricing; the structure, management, and regulation of bank and nonbank financial intermediaries; and the design and operations of central banks in a modern economy. Usually offered every year.
ECON
173a
Central Banking: Theory and Policy
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ss
wi
]
Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Studies the purposes and functions of central banks over time and the challenges they confront. Examines central banks' roles in the recent financial crisis and explores current debates over the policies that central banks are following in its aftermath. Usually offered every other year.
ECON
174a
Inflation Dynamics and Monetary Policy
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 82b.
Explores the drivers and dynamics of inflation, past and present. The class combines formal mathematical modeling, discussions and debates about macroeconomic policy in the real world, and review of relevant macroeconomic events, with an emphasis on the history of macroeconomic thought. Usually offered every year.
ECON
176a
Health, Hunger, and the Household in Developing Countries
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 184b or permission of the instructor.
Examines aspects of poverty and nutrition that are confronted by households in low-income countries. Examines these issues primarily from a microeconomic perspective, although some macroeconomic angles are explored as well. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
178a
Empirical Analysis of Labor Market Institutions
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deis-us
oc
ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 184b.
Uses real-world data and empirical analysis to examine how labor market structure and policies can shape workers’ career and life trajectories and inequalities. Offers first-hand quantitative data analysis experience using various labor market data to measure the effect of technological innovation, immigration, minimum wage, and policy changes. Learns how to develop predictions from microeconomic theory on labor market and worker outcomes and critically evaluate applied microeconomic papers. Usually offered every year.
ECON
181b
Game Theory and Economic Applications
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a, ECON 83a, and MATH 10a or equivalent.
Analysis of decision making in multiperson settings. Studies models of equilibrium and various kinds of games under perfect and imperfect information. The applications include business strategy and competition, auctions, and risk sharing. Usually offered every year.
ECON
182a
Topics in Advanced Macroeconomics
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oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 80a, ECON 82b, and ECON 83a.
Contemporary theories of economic growth, business cycles, monetary economics, and financial crises and their implications for monetary and fiscal policy. Emphasis on empirical work and computer modeling. Usually offered every year.
ECON
191b
Econometric Methods for Causal Inference
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ss
wi
]
Prerequisite: ECON 184b.
An introduction to methods for causal inference in economics and related fields. Topics include the potential outcomes framework, randomized controlled trials, regression, methods based on the propensity score, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, synthetic controls, and regression discontinuity designs. Emphasis on applications in fields such as labor, education, development, and health economics. Usually offered every second year.
ECON/FIN
171a
Financial Economics
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ss
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a and ECON 83a or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to financial economics. Topics include the selection of assets, portfolio choice under uncertainty, equilibrium asset pricing models, the efficient markets hypothesis, futures, and options markets. Usually offered every year.
ECON
27a
A Day in the Life of An Economist
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oc
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wi
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Prerequisite: ECON 20a.
Introduces students to the challenges and rewards of working as a professional economist and develops research and writing and oral communications skills used in the practice of economics. Usually offered every year.
ECON
28b
The Global Economy
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ss
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Prerequisites: ECON 2a or ECON 10a and ECON 20a. ECON 20a may be taken concurrently with ECON 28b.
Applies the basic tools and models of economic analysis to a wide range of topics in international economics. Usually offered every semester.
ECON
30a
The Economy of China
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Analysis of China's economic transformation with particular emphasis on China's economic reforms since 1978, including the restructuring of its enterprise, fiscal, financial, and political systems and the roles of trade, foreign investment, and technology in driving China's economic advance. Usually offered every year.
ECON
35b
History of Taxation
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oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Traces taxation from the origins of coinage (560 BCE) to the proposed global minimum corporate tax (2021+). We examine taxes within the supply-and-demand model, including discussions of deadweight loss and allocative efficiency. Additionally, the course focuses on the political economy, welfare, and equity impacts of taxation. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
36b
Climate Change Economics and Policy
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Examines essential concepts economists and other social scientists use to consider the link between climate change and human society. We will explore specific topics of climate impacts and justice, as well as how to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Special one-time offering, spring 2021.
ECON
50a
Sustainable Business Strategy and Consumption: Economic Foundations and Scandinavian Case Studies
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Examines sustainability through an economic lens while analyzing decisions of businesses, consumers, and policymakers. Studies consumer preferences and adaptation to market demands, market failures and tragedy of the commons, risk vs. uncertainty, and cost-benefit analysis. Explores the complexity of managing the environment for all of humanity's common good. Usually offered every year.
ECON
55a
American Economic History
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deis-us
oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a. Formerly offered as ECON/HIS 55a.
Analyzes the sources of American economic growth from colonial times until the end of the twentieth century. Topics include immigration, land policy, industrialization, and the increasing role of government in shaping economic performance. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
57a
Environmental Economics
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oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Investigates the theoretical and policy problems posed by the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources. Theoretical topics include the optimal pricing of resources, the optimal use of standards and taxes to correct pollution problems under uncertainty, and the measurement of costs and benefits. Usually offered every year.
ECON
59b
The Economics of Education
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
An introduction to economic analysis of the education sector. Topics include the concept of human capital, private and social return on investment in education, cost-benefit analysis of special educational programs, and issues in the financing of education. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
65b
Governance, Bureaucracy, and Economic Development
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Analyzes the role of institutions, governance, and bureaucracy in economic development. Topics include transaction costs, role of institutions, governance performance indicators, causes and consequences of corruption, anti-corruption policies, principal-agent theory and bureaucratic behavior. The course also includes a detailed case study on the role of governance and bureaucratic reforms in China's economic success since 1980. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
69a
The Economics of Race and Gender
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deis-us
oc
ss
]
Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
The role of race and gender in economic decision making. Mainstream and alternative economic explanations for discrimination, and analysis of the economic status of women and minorities. Discussion of specific public policies related to race, class, and gender. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
70a
American Fiscal Policy
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Examines Federal and State level tax and spending decisions with a focus on debt crises, the financing of wars and infrastructure, and the political debates surrounding choices made. Theories of monetary and fiscal policy will be presented and evaluated. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
76b
Labor Economics
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Analysis of competitive and less-than-competitive markets. Rationale for alternate methods of paying workers (e.g., hourly wages, piece rates, bonuses). Sources of wage differentials among jobs and workers. The U.S. labor movement, the process of collective bargaining, and the economic effects of unions. Effects of government interventions in the labor market, such as the minimum wage and occupational safety regulation. Extent and effects of discrimination in the labor market. Inequality in the distribution of wages. Usually offered every second year.
ECON
122b
The Economics of the Middle East
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a or the equivalent. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
Examines the Middle East economies ' past experiences, present situation, and future challenges ' drawing on theories, policy formulations and empirical studies of economic growth, trade, poverty, income distribution, labor markets, finance and banking, government reforms, globalization, and Arab-Israeli political economy. Usually offered every year.
ECON
175a
Introduction to the Economics of Development
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a or permission of the instructor. Does not count toward the upper-level elective requirement for the major in economics.
An introduction to various models of economic growth and development and evaluation of these perspectives from the experience of developing and industrial countries. Usually offered every second year.
ANTH
163b
Economies and Culture
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Prerequisite: ANTH 1a, ECON 2a, ECON 10a, or permission of the instructor.
We read in newspapers and books and hear in everyday discussion about "the economy," an identifiably separate sphere of human life with its own rules and principles and its own scholarly discipline (economics). The class starts with the premise that this "common sense" idea of the economy is only one among a number of possible perspectives on the ways people use resources to meet their basic and not-so-basic human needs. In the course, we draw on cross-cultural examples, and take a look at the cultural aspects of finance, corporations, and markets. Usually offered every second year.
BUS
6a
Financial Accounting
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a with a grade of C- or higher.
Develops basic concepts and accounts and applies them to income measurement, capital values, and costs. Through the use of cases, develops the basis for rational choice and control of business activity. Usually offered every semester in multiple sections.
BUS
10a
Business Fundamentals
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Prerequisite: BUS 6a. BUS 6a may be taken concurrently with BUS 10a.
Introduces the internal complexity of modern businesses and the various roles they play in society. First examines the internal workings of firms--marketing, operations, finance, and other functions. Subsequently, the relationships between businesses and their context--the economy, social issues, and government are studied. Usually offered every semester in multiple sections.
ENGR
22b
Engineering a Circular Economy
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The way we produce, use, and dispose of materials and products today is unsustainable. Resource extraction destroys ecosystems and biodiversity worldwide; manufacturing is responsible for an enormous fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions; and waste plastics are now found in every corner of the earth, including our bodies, with as-yet unknown consequences to human and ecological health. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that offers a potential solution to these problems -- where all materials and products are designed to be used, reused, and recycled again and again, minimizing environmental impact from resource extraction, manufacturing, use, and final disposal.
In this class, students will learn what is required to realize this vision of a circular economy from an engineering and design perspective. Based on a methodological foundation from industrial ecology, students will use life-cycle assessment and material flow analysis to characterize the profound issues with contemporary manufacturing and waste systems, and justify the principles of materials and product stewardship that underpin the circular economy model. Students will also learn to critique materials management and circular economy proposals at various scales, including materials and product design, so-called "circular business models," and municipal, national, and global materials systems. Finally, students will use what they have learned to propose new engineering design solutions to real-world challenges. Usually offered every second year.
HIST
114b
Histories of American Capitalism
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Explores the history of American capitalism as it developed from the colonial period to the near present. We will follow three main analytical themes through the centuries: racial capitalism; the role of the state in shaping economic development; and the function of social reproduction and other unwaged work in commercial societies. As we engage central historiographic debates about the timing and location of the transition to capitalism in the United States, we will use the concept of capitalism as a tool to better understand and differentiate the wide range of economic systems that have existed in the nation’s history. Topics include: the rise of wage labor and the expansion of markets; slavery and emancipation; territorial conquest; technological and infrastructural development; the rise of big business and organized labor; alternative labor regimes and the experience of work; the economic dimensions of gender, race, and other categories of social difference; social welfare policy; and recent developments in deindustrialization, globalization, and income inequality. Usually offered every year.
HS
104b
American Health Care
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Examines and critically analyzes the United States healthcare system, emphasizing the major trends and issues that have led to the current sense of "crisis." In addition to providing a historical perspective, this course will establish a context for analyzing the current, varied approaches to health care reform. Usually offered every year.
HS
110a
Labor, Work, and Inequality
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ss
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Examines what economic and social factors drive inequality in terms of conditions at work, from wages to discrimination to worker voice, and how these conditions are connected to business decisions, government policies, union and worker advocacy, and worker norms and beliefs. Usually offered every year.
HSSP
104b
Health Economics
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ss
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or ECON 10a.
Emphasizes the concepts and tools of health economics applicable to both developed and developing countries. Topics include: cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis, the demand for health services, insurance and risk, managed care, provider reimbursement, national health insurance, and an overview of health care systems in other countries. Usually offered every second year.
POL
173a
Seminar: U.S. Foreign Economic Policy
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Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.
Presents the history and politics of the foreign economic policy in the United States. Emphasis is on political and economic considerations that influence the domestic actors and institutions involved in the formulation of policy. Usually offered every second year.