What are the likely effects of proposed social policies? Should an environmental pollutant be considered a health risk? How can one manage to sensibly synthesize multiple strands of evidence of criminal wrongdoing, discrimination, or liability to reach a sound judgment? Human intuition is easily led astray when tasked with judging probabilistic and causal arguments at the heart of these and other such questions. In some cases, mental training may help us better avoid the pitfalls to careful reasoning under uncertainty.

The course will introduce microeconomic theory for policy analysis, applying economic reasoning to public policy questions. Students will evaluate the economic arguments for and against alternative government policies by examining the effects of markets and of public policy on firms, consumers, workers, and families. The overarching course goals are (1) to have students understand basic microeconomic theories used in public policy and (2) to prepare students to apply microeconomic analysis to policy questions in future courses and in real world applications.

This course introduces students to the contemporary dynamics of the Middle East and North Africa. By using as metaphors three basic substances that are important to the region and the world, the course spans basic issues of Middle Eastern cultures, recent history, and politics in an innovative and interdisciplinary fashion. More specifically, the course includes the attention to Islam, Western colonialism, Israel, Iran, contemporary growth, regional conflicts, the role of the US, and the role of the Arab uprisings of 2011, among other topics.

This course introduces you to several, critical ways public policy successes and failures can shape the life trajectories of young adults. The class helps you expand your critical understanding of important policy issues and debates (in education, housing, labor, etc.), to analyze a broad range of views, and to listen to the perspectives of others in a respectful, inclusive, open classroom. Does a state owe its people stability, social mobility, equal opportunity, freedom, or participation? If it does, how can public policy work to achieve these goals or at least not undermine them?

Introduction to economic analysis for majors and nonmajors. Facts and concepts basic to understanding the U.S. economy today. Topics may include: unemployment, economic development, inequality, technology, social wealth, environment, government economic policy, economic alternatives, race and gender, and discrimination. Contrasting theoretical perspectives. (Gen.Ed. SB, DU)

Contact department for description.

Contact department for description.

Special projects, studies, or research.

Special projects, studies, or research.

Special projects, studies, or research.