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 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?

Between news stories and tv shows, attention to policing in the United States is typically high. However, since 2013 the diversity of reasons why attention has turned to the police and policing and the nature of that attention has varied widely. From 2013 through 2020, the rate of protests against police violence and racial inequality in the United States increased, culminating in protests sweeping the nation in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. During that same period, a new national consensus arose that the police in the US need to be reformed.

In this course, we will tackle each, with the aim of understanding of the basic contours of policing in the United States today through a public policy lens, including an understanding of: what the police do and who they are, challenges and problems facing the police and policing today, proposed policy changes, and possible tradeoffs or considerations when considering the current state of affairs and potential changes.

Contact department for description.

Contact department for description.

Students in this course examine how analytics yields new insights across many facets of the sport industry, such as ticket pricing, facility management, player evaluation, and in-game decision making. The course emphasizes core skills needed to conduct basic analyses: data structuring, data shaping and manipulation, methods of statistical analysis, and data visualization.

Special projects, studies, or research.

Special projects, studies, or research.

Special projects, studies, or research.