Economics
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Principles of Economics |
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Professor:
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Youssef Ait Benasser
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Course
Number: |
ECON 100 A |
CRN Number: |
90241 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 10:10 AM
- 11:30 AM Olin 201 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Economics & Finance; Global & International Studies |
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This course is a one-semester introduction to the essential
ideas of economic analysis. The microeconomics component of the course
develops the basic model of consumer and firm behavior, including demand and
supply, in the context of an idealized competitive market and examines
several ways in which the real world deviates from this model—including
monopoly and other forms of imperfect competition; information problems;
minimum wages and other price controls; taxes; and government regulation. The
macroeconomics component studies the aggregate behavior of modern economies -
the factors leading to economic growth, explanations of booms and recessions,
unemployment, interest rates, inflation, and budget deficits or surpluses –
and the government’s ability (or inability) to use monetary and fiscal
policies to achieve economic goals such as full employment and price
stability. This course replaces the two-semester introductory microeconomics
and macroeconomics sequence and is the foundational course in the economics
curriculum. Prerequisite: passing score on Part I of the Math Placement. |
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Principles of Economics |
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Professor:
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Nurgul Ukueva |
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Course
Number: |
ECON 100 B |
CRN Number: |
90242 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Wed
Fri 11:50 AM – 1:10 PM Albee
106 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Economics & Finance; Global & International Studies |
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This course is a one-semester introduction to the essential
ideas of economic analysis. The microeconomics component of the course
develops the basic model of consumer and firm behavior, including demand and
supply, in the context of an idealized competitive market and examines
several ways in which the real world deviates from this model—including
monopoly and other forms of imperfect competition; information problems;
minimum wages and other price controls; taxes; and government regulation. The
macroeconomics component studies the aggregate behavior of modern economies -
the factors leading to economic growth, explanations of booms and recessions,
unemployment, interest rates, inflation, and budget deficits or surpluses –
and the government’s ability (or inability) to use monetary and fiscal
policies to achieve economic goals such as full employment and price
stability. This course replaces the two-semester introductory microeconomics
and macroeconomics sequence and is the foundational course in the economics
curriculum. Prerequisite: passing score on Part I of the Math Placement. |
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Principles of Economics |
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Professor:
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Aniruddha Mitra
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Course
Number: |
ECON 100 C |
CRN Number: |
90243 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Mon Wed 10:10 AM
- 11:30 AM Olin 205 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Economics & Finance; Global & International Studies |
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This course is a one-semester introduction to the essential
ideas of economic analysis. The microeconomics component of the course
develops the basic model of consumer and firm behavior, including demand and
supply, in the context of an idealized competitive market and examines
several ways in which the real world deviates from this model—including
monopoly and other forms of imperfect competition; information problems;
minimum wages and other price controls; taxes; and government regulation. The
macroeconomics component studies the aggregate behavior of modern economies -
the factors leading to economic growth, explanations of booms and recessions,
unemployment, interest rates, inflation, and budget deficits or surpluses –
and the government’s ability (or inability) to use monetary and fiscal
policies to achieve economic goals such as full employment and price
stability. This course replaces the two-semester introductory microeconomics
and macroeconomics sequence and is the foundational course in the economics
curriculum. Prerequisite: passing score on Part I of the Math Placement. |
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Money and Banking |
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Professor:
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Kyle Mohr |
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Course
Number: |
ECON 200 |
CRN Number: |
90577 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 1:30 PM – 2:50
PM Olin 203 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Economics & Finance; Global & International Studies |
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An examination of the role of money and financial
intermediaries in determining aggregate economic activity. Interactions of
savers, investors, and regulatory authorities in domestic and international
capital markets are analyzed, and the linkage between the financial system
and the real economy traced. The functions of central banks, commercial
banks, securities dealers, investment banks, and other intermediaries are
covered in detail. The debate over the goals, tools, indicators, and
effectiveness of monetary policy is considered in the light of current
national and international economic problems. Prerequisite: ECON 100 or ECON 102. |
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Intermediate Microeconomics |
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Professor:
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Nurgul Ukueva
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Course
Number: |
ECON 201 |
CRN Number: |
90323 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Wed Fri 3:30 PM
- 4:50 PM Reem Kayden Center 103 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Economics & Finance |
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Microeconomics is the study of how individual households
and firms interact to determine the allocation of goods and services in a
market setting. In this course, we revisit concepts introduced in Principles
of Economics, pursue them in further depth, and interpret them in graphical
and mathematical terms. Topics include: the analysis of economic efficiency,
the definition and measurement of social welfare, consumer behavior,
individual and market demand, choice under uncertainty, production and cost,
profit maximization, market structures (perfect competition, monopoly,
duopoly, monopsony, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly), market
failures, strategic behavior, price discrimination, the economics of
information, the provision of public goods, the use of game theory to model
economic behavior, and the market effects of taxes and other government
policies. Students work through a series of problem sets as they learn to
manipulate and apply microeconomic models. A final paper will examine an
application or a critique of neoclassical microeconomic theory. A firm grasp
of the materials covered in this course is essential for students pursuing
advanced studies in economics. Economics majors should take ECON 201 and ECON
202 during the junior year, after taking several 200-level economics courses. |
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Intermediate Macroeconomics |
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Professor:
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Kyle Mohr |
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Course
Number: |
ECON 202 |
CRN Number: |
90579 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Mon Wed 1:30 PM
- 2:50 PM Hegeman 308 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Global & International Studies |
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This course is the continuation of the introductory
macroeconomics course. In it, students will get acquainted with main models
that macroeconomists use to analyze the way economies behave. The course
starts by looking at the models that explain long run economic growth. We
then focus our attention on investigating economic theories that explain
short run business cycles, the periods of recessions and booms that occur on
a regular basis. An important part of the course is to investigate the role
of governments in affecting the long run and short run economic prospects of
their countries. We apply the acquired theoretical knowledge to a range of
current economic issues, including budget deficits and national debt,
international trade, and the role of institutions. Prerequisite: either ECON 100, or the
combination ECON 101 / ECON 102, MATH 110. |
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Labor Economics |
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Professor:
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Michael Martell
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Course
Number: |
ECON 214 |
CRN Number: |
90324 |
Class cap: |
18 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Mon Wed 3:30 PM
- 4:50 PM Hegeman 201 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis D+J Difference and Justice |
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Crosslists: |
American & Indigenous Studies; Gender and Sexuality Studies; Human
Rights |
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This course focuses on the economic forces and public
policies that affect employment and wages.
We examine theoretical models of labor markets and how well they hold
up to real-world empirical data.
Topics emphasized include labor demand and supply, minimum wage laws,
theories of unemployment, job search and matching models, family and
life-cycle decision-making, human capital, efficiency wage theory,
compensating wage differentials, worker mobility and migration, unions, and
discrimination. Prerequisite: Economics 100. |
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Economic Development |
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Professor:
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Sanjay DeSilva
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Course
Number: |
ECON 221 |
CRN Number: |
90325 |
Class cap: |
18 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 1:30 PM
- 2:50 PM Hegeman 102 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Africana Studies; Asian Studies; Environmental & Urban Studies;
Environmental Studies; Global & International Studies; Human Rights;
Latin American/Iberian Studies; Science, Technology, Society |
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This course focuses on economic conditions and problems
pertaining to the "developing world". We begin by critically
examining different definitions of the concept of development (e.g. GDP
growth, expansion of freedoms, alleviation of poverty). The rest of the
course is divided into four parts: the first part explores various reasons
for why a distinction emerged between developed and developing economies
(e.g. Industrial revolution, colonialism, geography and natural resources,
demography); the second part explores macroeconomic models and policies (e.g.
growth, structural change, trade, globalization) that have been employed to
promote development; the third part deals with microeconomic policies
designed to address specific development goals, such as promoting health and
education, and expanding access to financial assets; the fourth part
critically examines several adverse effects of development, such as
inequality and environmental degradation. Thematic discussions will be
supplemented by a semester-long case study each student will carry out on
development experiences of a country of their choice. Prerequisites: ECON
100. |
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Economic Perspectives |
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Professor:
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Kyle Mohr |
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Course
Number: |
ECON 225 |
CRN Number: |
90576 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 5:10 PM – 6:30
PM Reem Kayden Center 115 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Why do economists disagree? As economic systems evolve, so
have the theories used to explain them. Since Adam Smith, economists have
used different assumptions, models and methodologies to study the role of
markets, states, and institutions in the process of social provisioning. This
course will survey the diverse traditions in economics and introduce students
to competing paradigms. It covers several distinct approaches including
Classical Political Economy, Neoclassical, Institutionalist, Post Keynesian, Marxist,
Feminist, Development and Green Economics. The objective is to gain a broad
appreciation of the specific problems that each of these traditions
emphasizes and the contributions to theory and policy each has made. Students
will examine not only the evolution of ideas and theories, but also their
practical application today. Some of the specific issues that the course will
consider include the causes and cures for unemployment, the evolution and
interaction of culture, technology and the environment, and the role and
nature of money in shaping the modern world. As we contemplate modern
economic problems, sometimes the good old ideas produce the best new ideas.
Prerequisite: Econ 100. This is an OSUN network collaborative course, and it
fulfills one of the core requirements for the OSUN Certificate in Public
Policy and Economic Analysis. |
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Introduction to Econometrics |
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Professor:
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Youssef Ait Benasser
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Course
Number: |
ECON 229 |
CRN Number: |
90326 |
Class cap: |
18 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 8:30 AM
- 9:50 AM Albee 100 |
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Distributional Area: |
MC Mathematics and Computing |
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Crosslists: |
Economics & Finance; Environmental & Urban Studies; Environmental
Studies; Global & International Studies |
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This course explores the tools economists use to summarize and
interpret data. The first half of the course introduces the concepts of
random variables, probability distributions, sampling, descriptive statistics
and statistical inference. The second half of the course focuses on simple
and multiple regression analysis. The emphasis is on acquiring a practical
knowledge of econometric methods (theoretical foundations and advanced
techniques are covered in Econ 329); students will learn how to organize and
analyze data, using Excel and STATA, and how to carry out an empirical
research project. This course fulfills the statistical methods requirement
for the economics major. Prerequisite: Economics 100, one other economics
course, and Calculus I (which may be taken concurrently). |
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Behavioral Economics |
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Professor:
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Gautam Sethi |
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Course
Number: |
ECON 243 |
CRN Number: |
90573 |
Class cap: |
18 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 3:30 PM
- 4:50 PM Hegeman 102 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Global & International Studies |
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This course will introduce students to behavioral economics, an
exciting, new field that combines insights from economics, psychology, and
other disciplines to develop a fuller and more accurate understanding of
human behavior. The two primary findings of behavioral economics—that
people are less than fully rational and that people are usually nice—are
applied to understand traits such as planning and procrastination,
gambling and buying insurance, framing, overconfidence, and
happiness. Behavioral economics uses findings from lab and field
experiments to help us not only improve our individual cognition and
persuasion ability but also advance social goals that foster cooperation,
improve health outcomes, reduce poverty, and create a sustainable future for
all. |
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History of Financial Crises |
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Professor:
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Emanuele Citera
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Course
Number: |
ECON 248 |
CRN Number: |
90322 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 5:10 PM
- 6:30 PM Hegeman 308 |
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Distributional Area: |
HA Historical Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Global & International Studies |
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This course provides a historical and institutional account
of the development and evolution of finance. In particular, it focuses on the
evolution of financial theories and instruments and analyzes the major crises
that have occurred worldwide. The
course is divided into three main parts. The first part covers early episodes
of financial crises and speculative bubbles, starting from the “Tulip Mania”
until the late 19th century. The second part focuses on “The Great
Depression” and its aftermath until the 1970s. The third part deals with
post-WWII financial capitalism, focusing on currency crises, banking crises,
stock market crashes, and the main crises episodes of the XXI century (“The
Great Recession” and the Eurozone Crisis). |
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Foundations: Finance and Investments |
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Professor:
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Emanuele Citera |
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Course
Number: |
ECON 291 |
CRN Number: |
90327 |
Class cap: |
22 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Tue Thurs 11:50 AM
- 1:10 PM Reem Kayden Center 101 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Economics & Finance |
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This course explores the foundations of the pricing of
financial instruments and the structure and organization of financial
markets. Methods will be developed to analyze and measure financial
performance, price stocks and bonds, evaluate portfolios and understand
financial derivatives as these relate to financial data. Additional topics
include the investment decision-making process; trading practices; risk
assessment and diversification. This course involves a substantial amount of
statistical analysis and calculation, but no prior knowledge of statistics is
required. |
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Political Economy of Development |
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Professor:
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Sanjay DeSilva
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Course
Number: |
ECON 314 |
CRN Number: |
90328 |
Class cap: |
12 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Wed 3:30 PM
- 5:50 PM Olin 107 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Global & International Studies; Human Rights; Politics |
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This seminar explores ways in which the distribution of
political power, at global, national and local levels, and how political
power is exercised through institutions have shaped economic development as a
discourse, historical process, and practice. The first half of the course
critically examines the role global and international institutions, such as
the World Bank, IMF, UN, G8/G20, international NGOs, aid agencies, and
multinational corporations, play in constructing the global architecture of
development, and the increasingly influential role the Global South plays in
these institutions. The second half focuses on state and non-state actors at
the national and local levels. This involves the study of different political
regimes (e.g., democratic, socialist, authoritarian), models of the state
(e.g., regulatory, developmental, welfare), approaches to political inclusion
(e.g., decentralization, participatory development), and political obstacles
to development (e.g., corruption, clientelism, conflict). Since independent
research is a significant component of this seminar, the exact topics covered
and case studies investigated will depend on student interest. Prerequisites:
Econ 100 and moderation in a related program eg. Econ, Politics, GIS, HR |
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Economics of Conflict |
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Professor:
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Aniruddha Mitra
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Course
Number: |
ECON 326 |
CRN Number: |
90329 |
Class cap: |
14 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Mon 12:30
PM - 2:50 PM Olin 107 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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Crosslists: |
Human Rights |
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This course explores the economic literature on conflict, focusing
primarily though not exclusively on civil war. We start with the central
question: if conflict takes such a toll on society, why does it occur? In
other words, is the decision to go to war a rational choice? We use this to
explore the causes of internal conflict, paying particular attention to the
debate on whether it is grievance or opportunity that predicts the onset of
collective violence. This leads naturally to an investigation of the
essentially intertwined role of economic inequality, ethnic fragmentation,
and natural resource endowments on the occurrence of conflict. We then move
on to an exploration of the lasting consequences of conflict, emphasizing the
fact that war is essentially a gendered phenomenon. We end the course by
looking at policies that help in the post-war reconstruction of societies and
prevent the recurrence of conflict. |
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The End of Growth? |
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Professor:
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Youssef Ait Benasser
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Course
Number: |
ECON 357 |
CRN Number: |
90535 |
Class cap: |
18 |
Credits: |
4 |
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Schedule/Location:
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Wed 3:30 PM
- 5:50 PM Hegeman 106 |
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Distributional Area: |
SA Social Analysis |
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This seminar offers an advanced exploration of the histories
and theories of economic growth. Despite its historical role in lifting
billions out of poverty, economic growth now faces increasing scrutiny
regarding its sustainability and transformative power. Proponents of degrowth
advocate for moving away from growth-oriented policy frameworks to ensure
long-term environmental and social sustainability. Meanwhile, neoclassical
commentators point to the anemic growth of recent years and predict a
potential era of secular stagnation in wealthy countries. Moreover, after
decades of economic liberalization, many poor countries have struggled to
achieve poverty-ending levels of economic growth. Against this backdrop, the
seminar begins with a study of various theories of growth, ranging from
classical and neoclassical, to post-keynesian and institutional approaches.
It then examines tensions between economic growth and other social objectives
through the lens of alt-capitalist, feminist, and ecological perspectives.
Finally, the seminar offers a space to contemplate and comparatively analyze
possible alternatives to growth paradigms, including degrowth, steady-state
economics, and well-being economics. This course adopts a discussion-based
and student-driven approach, allowing for flexibility in topics covered and case
studies investigated based on student interest. Students are expected to have
completed Econ 100 and have prior background knowledge in
macroeconomics-related courses. Pre-requisites: Econ 100, prior
macroeconomics courses |
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