Economics 453 - Economics of Entrepreneurship

This course explores the economic importance of entrepreneurship, with a focus on recent empirical findings. We will study the roles entrepreneurs play in innovation, economic growth, and rising living standards, as well as determinants of entrepreneurial success such as finance, geography, and entrepreneur characteristics. The course will also cover implications for policy and explore recent patterns in entrepreneurial activity in the United States. Students will become familiar with key research findings on entrepreneurship, conduct research utilizing publicly available data on firms and workers, and identify real-world examples of course concepts.

Requisite: ECON 360/361. Limited to 15 students. Fall semester. Professor Blackwood. 

How to handle overenrollment: Preference to economics majors

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Quantitative, graphical, and analytical reasoning, reading and discussing economic research, quizzes on reading material, independent biographical research including interviewing a local entrepreneur, presenting orally to other students and engaging in other students’ presentations, writing analytical and quantitative papers, and using statistical software including Excel and Stata (or other similar software). Students with documented disabilities who will require accommodations in this course should be in consultation with Accessibility Services and reach out to the faculty member as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations can be made in a timely manner.