Intensive writing course dealing with various topics in economics. Fulfills the Junior Year Writing requirement for students whose primary major is Economics at UMass Amherst.

Economic development in the U.S. from colonial era to present. America as a raw materials producer, an agrarian society, and an industrial nation. Possible topics: development of economic systems, demographic trends, industrialization, regional development, growth of large-scale enterprise and organized labor, changing role of government. (Gen.Ed. HS)

Economic development of Europe from ancient times to late twentieth century, focusing on episodes and methods that influenced economic growth. Emergence and development of economic institutions in Western and Eastern Europe (Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine). Economic recovery after World War II, contradictions of Cold War Era, Russian military aggression in Ukraine. Recent developments considered in the light of historical experience.

A critical review of neoclassical, Marxist, and feminist economic theories pertaining to inequality between men and women in both the family and the firm.

This course examines the market, institutional, governmental, and social processes that have contributed to the economic wellbeing of African Americans. We pay particular attention to the interaction between race and class as determinants of the life chances of African Americans. The course examines theoretical material related to wage determination, labor market discrimination and marriage and transitions in family structure.

This course will examine the economics of socially constructed groups and the inequalities in income, wealth, and power between them. The course will include, as a central feature, an examination of inequalities based on race and ethnicity. However, the course will also explore economic dynamics and disparities between a range of socially constructed groups, including those based on gender, caste, nationality/citizenship, different concepts of class, and sexuality.

This course focuses on the economics of women, minorities and work in the labor market and the household. Using economic theory along with empirical investigation, we will study issues such as employment decisions, earnings determination, occupational choice, discrimination, and family formation. Emphasis will be placed on public policies related to the labor market experiences of women and minorities.

The course provides an overview of the economics of health and of health care with special attention to the roles of market failure, equity, and policy. Economics of Health will apply the tools of economics and quantitative analysis to understanding the structure, performance, and problems of health and the health care sector. Students will develop institutional knowledge and analytic tools needed to contribute to public policy debates about health and health care.

The goal of this course is to use the analytic tools of microeconomic theory to study the worker-firm employment relationship.

This course will introduce students to skeptical and effective consumption and production of information in the era of big data. Students will learn how to spot and avoid statistical pitfalls, irrational decisions, fake news, information out of context, and blind faith. The course will draw from historical examples and current events and from contemporary debates in economics and political economy. Students will practice interpreting, visualizing, and writing about big data.