This course examines efforts to improve educational systems across three key areas: teaching and learning; youth, community, and policy; and international/global education. Students explore complex factors shaping educational practice and policy at classroom, school, and system levels. Through critical analysis of real-world case studies and current debates, the course cultivates understanding of educational reform challenges. Activities encourage students to draw on personal experiences while developing analytical skills.

Brain implants, embryo selection, self-driving cars, nanotechnology, robot nurses, virtual teachers, cognitive enhancing drugs and artificial general intelligences are among the technologies that might have a large impact on the economy over the next few decades. This course uses the tools of microeconomics to explore the potential effects of these and other possible technologies and to explain how economic incentives shape the types of technologies businesses develop. Prerequisite: ECO 250. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.

It is hotly debated whether and to what extent observable outcome differentials in various markets can be attributed to the effects of discrimination. This course critically explores various discrimination topics, paying special attention to the evidence in the economics literature that potentially proves or disproves the presence of discrimination. A critical skill essential to the economic analysis of discrimination is the use of econometrics in analyzing discriminatory practices.

Since 1965, the annual poverty rate in the United States has hovered between 10% and 15%, though far more than 15% of Americans experience poverty at some point in their lives. This course studies public policies intended to improve the well-being of the poor in this country.

An examination of the trading relationships among countries and of the flows of factors of production throughout the world economy. Beginning with the theories of international trade, this course moves on to examine various policy issues in the international economy, including commercial policy, protectionism and the distribution of the gains from trade, multilateral trade negotiations, preferential trade agreements, the impact of transnational firms and globalization, immigration, and trade and economic development. Prerequisite: ECO 250. Enrollment limited to 40.

An investigation of the economic foundations for investment, financing and related decisions in the business corporation. Basic concerns and responsibilities of the financial manager and the methods of analysis employed by them are emphasized. This course offers a balanced discussion of practical as well as theoretical developments in the field of financial economics. Prerequisites: ECO 220, ECO 250 and MTH 111. Enrollment limited to 40.

Why does the government intervene in the economy? What are the responses of private agents to government’s actions? What are optimal government policies? This course focuses on the role of the government in the economy and uses tools of microeconomic analysis to study the taxing and the spending activities of the government. The course covers tax policy, inequality, social insurance programs, public goods, environmental protection, and education. Special emphasis is on current policy issues in the U.S., such as income inequality, poverty, healthcare reform, income tax reform, and crime.

A great deal of empirical analysis is carried out with the aim of understanding the causal effects of interventions – both in policy and economic environments. This course covers the main empirical methods used in economics to evaluate causal effects of policies related to anti-discrimination, education, criminal justice, the labor market and healthcare. Students design and execute studies that can credibly evaluate public policies and economic theories.

Builds a cohesive theoretical framework within which to analyze the workings of the macroeconomy. Current issues relating to key macroeconomic variables such as output, inflation and unemployment are examined within this framework. The role of government policy, both in the short run and the long run, is also assessed. Prerequisites: ECO 153 and MTH 111 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 55.

Builds a cohesive theoretical framework within which to analyze the workings of the macroeconomy. Current issues relating to key macroeconomic variables such as output, inflation and unemployment are examined within this framework. The role of government policy, both in the short run and the long run, is also assessed. Prerequisites: ECO 153 and MTH 111 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 55.