Mar 29, 2024  
Catalogue 2021-2022 
    
Catalogue 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Economics Department


Chair: Sarah Pearlman;

Professors: Geoffrey A. Jehle, Paul Johnson, David A. Kennett, Paul Ruud;

Associate Professors: Benjamin Hoa, Sarah Pearlman, Robert Rebelein;

Assistant Professors: Esteban Argudo, Alicia Atwoodb, Dustin Fryeb, Qi Geb, Gisella Kagyb, Tanseli Savaser;

Visiting Assistant Professors: Vera Brusentsev, Andrew Lemon;

Adjunct Instructor: David Nash.

On leave 2021/22, first semester

On leave 2021/22, second semester

Advisers: The department.

Programs

Major

Correlate Sequence in Economics

The economics department offers correlate sequences which designate coherent groups of courses intended to complement the curricula of students majoring in other departmental, interdepartmental, and multidisciplinary programs. Three areas of concentration are currently available for students pursuing a correlate sequence in economics:

International Economics, coordinated by David Kennett.

Public Policy, coordinated by Robert Rebelein.

Quantitative Economics, coordinated by Paul Johnson.

Courses within each area should be chosen in consultation with the coordinator of that sequence.

Courses

Economics: I. Introductory

  • ECON 102 - Introduction to Economics

    Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
    1 unit(s)
    Economic forces shape our society and profoundly influence our daily lives. This course introduces students to economic concepts and to how economists think about the world. We explore both basic microeconomics - decision making by individuals and firms - and basic macroeconomics - issues related to coordinating individual activities across an entire economy. Topics will include demand and supply, market structures, GDP, the business cycle, and monetary and fiscal policies. The department.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 120 - Principles of Accounting

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    Accounting theory and practice, including preparation and interpretation of financial statements. Frederick Van Tassell.

    Not open to first-year students.

    Course Format: CLS

Economics: II. Intermediate

First-year students may not take 200 , 201 , 203 , or 209  but they may take other courses numbered 200 and above in their second semester provided they have satisfied the prerequisite requirements. 

  • ECON 200 - Macroeconomic Theory

    Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
    1 unit(s)
    A structured analysis of the behavior of the national and international economies. Alternative theories explaining the determination of the levels of GDP, unemployment, the interest rate, the rate of inflation, economic growth, exchange rates, and trade and budget deficits are considered. These theories provide the basis for discussion of current economic policy controversies. The department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102  and permission of the instructor.

    NRO for Seniors Only.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 201 - Microeconomic Theory

    Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
    1 unit(s)
    Economics is about choice, and microeconomic theory begins with how consumers and producers make choices. Economic agents interact in markets, so we carefully examine the role markets play in allocating resources. Theories of perfect and imperfect competition are studied, emphasizing the relationship between market structure and market performance. General equilibrium analysis is introduced, and efficiency and optimality of the economic system are examined. Causes and consequences of market failure are also considered. The department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 , MATH 121 , and permission of the instructor. With the instructor’s permission, students who have taken ECON 109  may take ECON 201 with concurrent enrollment in MATH 121 .

    NRO for Seniors Only.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 203 - Introduction to Econometrics

    Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
    1 unit(s)
    An introduction to statistical analysis with emphasis on estimation and hypothesis testing and to the methods required for empirical economic research in industry, government, and academia. Topics covered include simple and multiple regression, violations of the classical assumptions underlying the least-squares model, maximum likelihood estimation, instrumental variables, and time series analysis. The Department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102  and MATH 241 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 206 - Gender Issues in Economics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    (Same as WMST 206 ) An analysis of gender in education, earnings, employment and the division of labor within the household. Topics include a study occupational segregation, discrimination, the role of “protective legislation” in the history of labor law, and effects of changes in the labor market of the U.S. We also study the economics of marriage, divorce, and fertility. A comparative study of gender roles in other parts of the world is the final topic in the course.  Sarah Pearlman.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 209 - Probability and Statistics


    1 unit(s)
    Probability and Statistics introduces basic probability theory, statistical analysis and its application in economics. The objective is to provide a solid, practical, and intuitive understanding of statistical analysis with emphasis on estimation, hypothesis testing, and linear regression. Additional topics include descriptive statistics, probability theory, random variables, sampling theory, statistical distributions, and an introduction to violations of the classical assumptions underlying the least-squares model. Students are introduced to the use of computers in statistical analysis. The Department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 , MATH 121 , and MATH 126 . With the instructor’s permission, students who have taken ECON 109  and MATH 121  may take ECON 209 with concurrent enrollment in MATH 126 .

    NRO for Seniors Only.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 210 - Econometrics


    1 unit(s)
    Econometrics equips students with the skills required for empirical economic research in industry, government, and academia. Topics covered include simple and multiple regression, maximum likelihood estimation, multicollinearity, heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation, distributed lags, simultaneous equations, instrumental variables, and time series analysis. Paul Ruud.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 209  or MATH 341  or an equivalent statistics course.

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 215 - The Science of Strategy

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    Strategic behavior occurs in war, in business, in our personal lives, and even in nature. Game theory is the study of strategy, offering rigorous methods to analyze and predict behavior in strategic situations. This course introduces students to game theory and its application in a wide range of situations. Students learn how to model conflict and cooperation as games, and develop skills in the fine art of solving them. Applications are stressed, and these are drawn from many branches of economics, as well as from a variety of other fields. Geoffrey Jehle.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 220 - Health Economics

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    (Same as STS 220 ) Applies theoretical and empirical tools of economics to problems of health and medical care delivery. The main focus of the course  addresses how medical care is produced and financed, in both private and public sectors. Emphasis is on the US, and includes a comparison of the US health system to other countries’ health care systems. Alicia Atwood.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 . Students with a strong quantitative background may enroll with the instructor’s permission.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 225 - Financial Markets and Investments

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    Financial Markets and Investments provides an overview of the structure and operation of financial markets, and the instruments traded in those markets. Particular emphasis is placed on portfolio choice, including asset allocation across risky investments and efficient diversification. Theoretical foundations of asset-pricing theories are developed, and empirical tests of these theories are reviewed. The course introduces valuation models for fixed-income securities, equities, and derivative instruments such as futures and options. Throughout the course, students apply investment theories by managing a simulated asset portfolio. Additional topics include financial statement analysis and performance evaluation measures.  Tanseli Savaser.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102,   ECON 209  or MATH 241 .

    Recommended: ECON 201  and ECON 209 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 235 - Sports Economics

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    Sports economics studies contemporary economic issues in professional and amateur sports. The course analyzes the labor market, public finance, industrial organization, and behavioral economics aspects of both team and individual sports. Topics include player productivity and compensation, discrimination, public financing of sports facilities, economic impact of the Olympic Games, franchise markets, antitrust laws in college sports, competitive balance, wagering markets, and applications of prospect theory in sports. Qi Ge.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Recommended: ECON 203  or 209 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 238 - Law and Economics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    Law and Economics uses economics to analyze legal rules and institutions. The primary focus is on the classic areas of common law: property, contracts, and torts. Some time is also spent on criminal law and/or constitutional law (e.g., voting, public choice, and administration). Much attention is paid to developing formal models to analyze conflict and bargaining, and applying those models to specific cases. Topics include the allocation of rights, legal remedies, bargaining and transaction costs, regulation versus liability, uncertainty, and the litigation process. Time permitting, the course may also include discussion of gun control, the death penalty, federalism, and competition among jurisdictions. The Department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 , and one semester of college-level calculus.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 240 - U.S. Economic Issues

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    The U.S. economy has dominated the world economy for the last 60 years. With only five percent of the world’s population, it consumes roughly 25 percent of the world’s resources and produces approximately 25 percent of the world’s output. However, U.S. policy makers face substantial challenges in the years to come. The course surveys the causes and possible solutions for numerous issues including increasing international competition for jobs and resources, an aging population, persistent trade and government budget deficits, and rapid growth in entitlement programs. Other topics will be studied based on student interests and as time permits. This course utilizes readings, writing assignments and classroom discussion rather than quantitative problem sets.  The Department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Not open to students who have completed ECON 342 .

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 248 - International Trade and the World Financial System

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    A policy-oriented introduction to basic models of trade adjustment, exchange rate determination and macroeconomics adjustment. These are applied to the principle issues and problems of the international economy. Topics include the changing pattern of trade, fixed and floating exchange rates, protectionism, foreign investment, the Euro-dollar market, the role of the WTO, the IMF and World Bank, the European Community and third-world debt. Tanseli Savaser.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Not open to students who have completed ECON 345  or ECON 346 .

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 261 - Political Economy

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    Political Economy focuses on political strategy, public policy and the private sector and addresses the political, legal and social constraints on economic decision making. While economics typically focuses on strategic interactions in market contexts, e.g., customers, competitors, suppliers, workers—many strategic interactions occur outside of the marketplace. This course uses real world cases to examine strategies in non-market environments. Topics may include: activism, NGOs, the media, lobbying, the US political system, environmental and other regulation, anti-trust, intellectual property, international political economy, IGOs, trade policy, ethics, and corporate social responsibility. Benjamin Ho.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 267 - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    (Same as STS 267 ) This course examines environmental and natural resource issues from an economic perspective. Particular attention is given to the evidence and analysis presented at the UN climate negotiations and the recent history of climate accords and assesses the case for more drastic commitments. Particular attention is given this year to the evidence and analysis presented at to the UN Conference of the Parties (COP 26). The various possible policies to address the situation are analyzed in economic terms identifying those who gain by, and those who lose by these policies.  The goal is for students to develop a framework for understanding environmental problems and then to learn how to analyze policy actions within that framework. Topics include the economics of externalities, free rider issues, global warming, air and water pollution, the loss of biodiversity, energy demand and technology, and natural resource extraction. David Kennett.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102  or permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 271 - Chinese Economy

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    China’s economy has grown swiftly over the past 40 years and, in 10-15 years, it will most likely overtake the U.S. to become the number one economy in the world – yet most people still know very little about it. China’s phenomenal growth has produced both some remarkable achievements and some significant problems. The environmental costs of China’s growth include widespread and sometimes dangerous air, water and land pollution. Because of its size, how well China addresses its problems will affect the entire global economy. This course reviews some of the reasons for China’s growth and examines many of the issues it currently confronts. Specific topics can vary from year to year depending on current events and/or student interest. Robert Rebelein.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

  • ECON 273 - Development Economics

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    (Same as INTL 273 ) A survey of central issues in the field of development economics. Topics include economic growth, the role of institutions, trade, poverty, inequality, education, child labor, health, the environment, conflict and impact evaluation.  Examples and case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America provide the context for these topics. Gisella Kagy.
     

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 275 - Money and Banking

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    Money and Banking covers the structure of financial institutions, their role in the provision of money and credit, and the overall importance of these institutions in the economy. The course includes discussion of money, interest rates, financial market structure, bank operations and regulation, and the structure of the banking sector. The course also covers central banks, monetary policy, and international exchange as it relates to monetary policy and the banking sector. The ultimate goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the structure of financial markets, the reasons why it is optimal for these markets to be well functioning, and the key barriers to this optimal outcome. Esteban Argudo.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 277 - Economic History of the Americas


    1 unit(s)
    A survey of economic development in the Americas emphasizing the United States from colonial times through the 20th century. The emphasis is on the use of economic theory and quantitative evidence to explore key questions and themes related to the development of the American economy.  Dustin Frye.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 290 - Community-Engaged Learning

    Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
    0.5 unit(s)
    Individual or group field projects or internships. The department.

    Prerequisite(s): A course in the department. Permission of the instructor.

    Corequisite(s): A course in the department. Permission required.

    May be elected during the academic year or during the summer.

    Unscheduled.

    Course Format: INT
  • ECON 298 - Independent Work

    Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
    0.5 to 1 unit(s)
    Course Format: OTH

Economics: III. Advanced

  • ECON 300 - Senior Reseach

    Semester Offered: Fall
    0.5 unit(s)
    Structured independent work with a faculty advisor designed to result in a paper that can be used as a detailed proposal for the senior thesis.  The paper is typically a literature review and a full description of a theoretical model and/or econometric project (including data) or experimental work required to complete the thesis. Students should seek permission to undertake this course of study from the faculty advisor no later than the beginning of the Fall semester of their Senior year but ideally they will do so during the Spring semester of their Junior year or the summer preceding their Senior year. Required of all students who wish to write a thesis in economics but open to senior economics majors who wish to gain research experience. Students may continue with ECON 301  upon completion of ECON 300 with the approval of the advisor and the department. The Department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 210 .

    Open to senior majors by special permission of the advisor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 301 - Senior Thesis

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    The sequel to ECON 300   leading to the completion of the senior thesis. Students will submit the finished thesis by noon on the fourth Friday after spring vacation and give a half-hour oral presentation of their thesis to the department at the end of the semester. The department.
     

    Open to senior majors who have successfully completed ECON 300  and received departmental approval to complete the thesis.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 303 - Advanced Topics in Microeconomics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    This course introduces students to modern theoretical methods in microeconomics and their application to advanced topics not typically addressed in ECON 201 . Topics vary from year to year, but typically include: modern approaches to consumer theory, welfare analysis, general equilibrium, and the theory of auctions. Geoffrey Jehle.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201  and MATH 220   or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 304 - Advanced Topics in Macroeconomics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    This course is designed to get you familiar with Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) models, which are the workhorse of modern macroeconomic analysis. We learn how to set up, solve, and estimate DSGE models. The course focuses on the study of business cycles to illustrate how to solve and estimate DSGE models. This type of framework is useful to study the effect of monetary and fiscal policies on the macroeconomy, as well as their impact on the income and wealth distribution across individuals. The models we consider can also be adapted to study topics such as growth, trade, and development among many others. The techniques that we develop are broadly applicable; they can be used to solve and estimate models from other subfields of economics and even models from disciplines other than economics. These techniques rely on numerical methods (i.e., methods that require some coding), which means that the course is a great opportunity for you to develop some serious programming skills.  Esteban Argudo.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 200 ECON 201 , and ECON 203  or ECON 209 ; or permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 307 - Advanced Topics in Health Economics and Policy


    1 unit(s)
    (Same as STS 307 ) A survey of contemporary issues in the economics of health and health policy including a more detailed examination of select issues from ECON 220 /STS 220  and more advanced topics using recent research in health economics. Alicia Atwood.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201 ECON 220 /STS 220  and ECON 203  or ECON 210 ; or permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 310 - Advanced Topics in Econometrics


    1 unit(s)
    Analysis of the classical linear regression model and the consequences of violating its basic assumptions. Topics include maximum likelihood estimation, asymptotic properties of estimators, simultaneous equations, instrumental variables, limited dependent variables and an introduction to time series models. Applications to economic problems are emphasized throughout the course. Paul Ruud.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 210  and MATH 220  and MATH 221   or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 318 - Urban and Regional Economics

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    (Same as URBS 318 ) An exploration of the nature and development of urban areas that begins with an examination of the theory of why cities grow and how individuals and firms choose their locations before covering patterns of land use, suburbanization, transportation, education, crime, and housing and their influence the growth of cities. Dustin Frye.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201  and ECON 203  or ECON 210 ; or permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 320 - Economics of Inequality and Discrimination


    1 unit(s)
    An investigation of the extent, causes, and consequences of inequality and discrimination in labor markets. Leading economic theories of inequality and discrimination are covered and related to theories of labor supply and labor demand. Topics include the determinants of wages, labor supply decisions, returns to education, and decisions about family size. An applied approach using econometric techniques to understand the current literature is emphasized. Gisella Kagy.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201  and ECON 210 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 333 - Behavioral Economics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    A survey of the empirical and experimental evidence that human behavior often deviates from the predictions made by models that assume full rationality. This course combines economics, psychology, and experimental methods to explore impulsivity, impatience, overconfidence, reciprocity, fairness, the enforcement of social norms, the effects of status, addiction, the myopia that people exhibit when having to plan for the future, and other behaviors which deviate from economic rationality. Benjamin Ho.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201  and ECON 203  or ECON 209 ; or permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 342 - Public Finance

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    Public Finance considers the effects that government expenditure, taxation, and regulation have on people and the economy. Attention is given to how government policy can correct failures of the free market system. Topics include the effect taxes have on consumption and employment decisions, the U.S. income tax system, income redistribution, budget deficits, environmental policy, health care, voting, and social security. Robert Rebelein.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 345 - International Trade Theory and Policy


    1 unit(s)
    This course examines classical, neoclassical and modern theories of international trade, as well as related empirical evidence. Topics included are: the relationship between economic growth and international trade; the impact of trade on the distribution of income; the theory of tariffs and commercial policy; economic integration, trade and trade policy under imperfect competition. Geoffrey Jehle.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201 .

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 346 - International Macroeconomics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    The course is devoted to the problems of balance of payments and adjustment mechanisms. Topics include: the balance of payments and the foreign ex-change market; causes of disturbances and processes of adjustment in the balance of payments and the foreign exchange market under fixed and flexible exchange rate regimes; issues in maintaining internal and external balance; optimum currency areas; the history of the international monetary system and recent attempts at reform; capital movements and the international capital market. Tanseli Savaser.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 200  and college-level calculus, or permission of the instructor.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 355 - Industrial Organization

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    This course examines the behavior of firms under conditions of imperfect competition. The role of market power is studied, including the strategies it permits, e.g., monopoly pricing, price discrimination, quality choice, and product proliferation. Strategic behavior among firms is central to many of the topics of the course. As such, game theory is introduced to study strategic behavior, and is applied to topics such as oligopoly pricing, entry and deterrence, product differentiation, advertising, and innovation. Time permitting, the course may also include durable goods pricing, network effects, antitrust economics, and vertical integration. Qi Ge.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201  and ECON 203 ECON 209  or ECON 210 ; or permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 367 - Comparative Economics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    A study of different economic systems and institutions, beginning with a comparison of industrialized market economies in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Pre-perestroika USSR is studied as an example of a centrally planned economy and the transition to a market economy is examined, with additional focus on the Czech Republic and Poland. Alternatives to both market and planned systems - such as worker self-management, market socialism, and social democracy - are also explored with emphasis on the experience of Yugoslavia and Sweden. David Kennett.

    Prerequisite(s): At least two units of Economics At or above the 200-level.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 382 - Economics of Disasters

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)
    A survey of the frequency, cost, and forms of compensation associated with disasters. A disaster occurs when natural phenomena cause damage, injury or loss of life and assets, environmental degradation, disruption in the livelihoods of individuals and communities, and interruptions in economic and social activity. While disasters are a global occurrence, the primary focus of this course is the experience with disasters in the United States. Risk management and policy discussions related to compensation and mitigation draw upon international best practice. Specific types of catastrophic events examined in the course include hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, drought, wildfires, and geological and man-made disasters. The Department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201  and ECON 203  or ECON 209 .

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 383 - History of Economic Thought

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)


    A survey of the world-wide history of economic thought, from the ancient world to the present. Major contributions to the theories of value, production, and distribution are considered. Influential schools of thought and the technological, ideological and social forces that shaped them are examined concluding with an analysis of the development of modern economic thinking. Philosophical and methodological issues are discussed throughout. Paul Ruud.

     

     

     

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 200 , ECON 201  and permission of the instructor.

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS

  • ECON 386 - The Economics of Immigration


    1 unit(s)
    This course examines the theoretical and empirical models that economists have developed to study the economic impact of immigration. The course describes the history of immigration policy in the United States and analyzes the various economic issues that dominate the current debate over immigration policy. These issues include the changing contribution of immigrants to the country’s skill endowment; the rate of economic assimilation experienced by immigrants; the impact of immigrants on the employment opportunities of other workers in the US; the impact of immigrant networks on immigrants and the source and magnitude of the economic benefits generated by immigration. The course also studies the social and civic dimensions of immigration - how it relates to education, marriage, segregation etc. We compare various cohorts of immigrants who entered the US at different time periods. We also compare generations residing in the US, more specifically immigrants and their children. The department.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 201  and ECON 209 .

    Not offered in 2021/22.

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 388 - Latin American Economic Development

    Semester Offered: Fall
    1 unit(s)
    (Same as LALS 388 ) This course examines why many Latin American countries started with levels of development similar to those of the U.S. and Canada but were not able to keep up. The course begins with discussions of various ways of thinking about and measuring economic development and examines the record of Latin American countries on various measures, including volatile growth rates, high income and wealth inequality, and high crime rates. We then turn to an analysis of the colonial and post-Independence period to examine the roots of the weak institutional development than could explain a low growth trajectory. Next, we examine the post WWII period, exploring the import substitution of 1970s, the debt crises of the 1980s, and the structural adjustment of the 1990s. Finally, we look at events in the past decade, comparing and contrasting the experience of different countries with respect to growth, poverty and inequality. Sarah Pearlman.

    Prerequisite(s):   ECON 102 .

    Course Format: CLS
  • ECON 389 - Time Series Econometrics

    Semester Offered: Spring
    1 unit(s)


    A survey of methods used to analyze time series data with applications from macroeconomics and finance. Paul Johnson.

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 200  and ECON 203  or ECON 210 ; or permission of the instructor.

    Recommended: MATH 220 , MATH 221  recommended.

     

    Two 75-minute periods.

    Course Format: CLS

  • ECON 399 - Senior Independent Work

    Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
    0.5 to 1 unit(s)
    Course Format: OTH