Economics 338 - Seminar: Household Finance and Inequality

How do individual economic decisions shape wealth inequality and economic mobility? This course examines topics at the intersection of household finance, the field of economics studying the financial decisions of households, and the economics of inequality. Beginning with an overview of the historical dynamics and theories of wealth inequality, we study recent empirical and theoretical findings on how household preferences and beliefs, financial portfolio investment mistakes, financing frictions, entrepreneurship, and taxes affect the distribution of wealth. Prerequisites: ECO 220 and ECO 250. Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.

[CE] JR/SR only