Please advertise the below classes to students interested in taking upper level economics courses. ECON 302 is a prerequisite for all of these classes, and ECON 203 is preferred as well (or statistics knowledge).
ECON 490 (63643): International Finance (MW 10-11:20am)
This course will expose students to the main topics in International Financial (Macro) Economics. In this course, we will study how exchange rates are formed, how to analyze the balance of payments, the implications/constraints of monetary policy conduction in open economies, and how to evaluate and think about sovereign debt. As much as possible, we will discuss current topics/research in the areas related to the course. ECON 302 is a prerequisite, and 303 or understanding of macro is highly recommended.
ECON 490 (61740): The Nonprofit Economy (TR 9:30-10:50am)
Many economic activities do not appear to maximize profits. Nonprofit organizations make up a large and growing share of the economy, while businesses engage in ?corporate social responsibility,? and governments and individuals give away resources. This course uses economics to understand these activities and evaluate policies that influence them. Topics include market failure, redistribution, theories of nonprofit organizations, evidence on determinants of charitable donations, and analysis of the for-profit/not-for-profit balance within major industries. ECON 302 is recommended as a prerequisite for this course- if you have not taken 302, but have an interest in this course and a strong background in economics, please speak to the professor.
ECON 490 (63573): Public Policy for an Aging Population (MW 1:30-2:50pm)
Population aging is occurring around the world, bringing aging-related issues to the forefront of public policy discussions. This course will examine the economic lifecycle and aging at the societal and individual level. We will cover population aging, labor force participation, unemployment and discrimination, the history of retirement, savings, pensions and life insurance, social insurance, health and disability, intergenerational transfers, aging and the family, and aging and inequality. An international context will be presented, with a focus on US policy and programs. Goals and Appeal: The goal of the course is to connect the classic economic literatures on aging-related topics (savings, retirement, insurance, health, and family) to modern policies, programs, and products for the middle-aged and elderly. The course will be of particular interest to students of public policy and health-related fields, with some connections to history, business, finance, family and social work, and international affairs. ECON 302 is preferred for this course.
ECON 490 (61400): Political Economy (TR 2:30-3:50pm)
Political Economy studies how self-interested, rational policy-makers make choices in an institutionalized environment. In this course, students will utilize utility-maximization theories and tools of microeconomics to understand behavior of rational and goal-driven political actors. Students will study political outcomes and the interaction between the actors within the institutional constraints of their environment. We will attempt to explain why the government behaves as it does and how its behavior influences and is, in turn, influenced by the behavior of private citizens. We will also investigate the effects of political institutions on political and economic outcomes and assess the relative performance of different political systems. ECON 302 is preferred for this course.
Sincerely,
Melissa
Melissa Newell
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies