*Economics 970. Tutorial — Sophomore Year
Catalog Number: 7923
Jeffrey A. Miron
Half course (spring term). M., 2-3:30; First introductory meeting January 24, 2010. Meets in assigned section thereafter.
A series of small seminars taught in section focusing on applications of economic theory to real problems.
Note: One term required of all Economics concentrators. Enrollment limited to concentrators.
Prerequisite: Both terms of Social Analysis 10 (or equivalent); Statistics 100, 104, or 110; Economics 1010a or 1011a and current enrollment in Economics 1010b or 1011b.
*Economics 975 (formerly *Economics 980). Tutorial — Theory Review
Catalog Number: 3281
Jeffrey A. Miron
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Hours to be arranged.
A thorough review of intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Note: Required of and limited to concentrators who received below a B-/C+ average in the Economics 1010/1011 sequence.
Economics 980d. The Rise of Asia and World Economy - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 46326
Dale W. Jorgenson
Half course (fall term). W., 2–4.
Note: Limited enrollment. This course may not be repeated for credit.
[*Economics 980e. Corporate Governance]
Catalog Number: 0331
Efraim Benmelech
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
This seminar investigates the different approaches to optimal governance structures of firms. We will survey current research on agency problems, the market for corporate control, executive compensation, corporate boards and tunneling.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Expected to be omitted in 2013–14.
Prerequisite: Economics 1745 is recommended but not required.
[*Economics 980m. Market Design]
Catalog Number: 7401
Susan Athey
Half course (fall term). M., 4:15–6:15.
This course studies the design of organized markets, focusing on efficient organization and the incentives created by market rules. Applications include online auction markets, online advertising, government auctions of natural resources, and matching markets (students to classes or schools, medical residents to hospitals, kidneys to recipients). The analysis relies on a mix of documenting the rules of real-world markets, game theoretic analysis, empirical analysis, and experimental work.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
*Economics 980p. International Trade Policy
Catalog Number: 17382
Elhanan Helpman
Half course (fall term). M., 2–4.
Provides a discussion of the economic impacts of international trade policies and the political economy of trade policy formation. The course will focus on analytical methods and therefore requires knowledge of calculus.
*Economics 980s. The Historical Origins of Middle Eastern Development
Catalog Number: 53797
Eric Chaney
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4.
Middle Eastern countries enjoyed world economic leadership during the Middle Ages, and continue to play an important role in the world economy. This course will explore the historical development of Middle Eastern economies. Topics include the effects of colonialism, natural resource endowments and religion on economic growth. The course will emphasize how these and other historical factors continue to influence development prospects in the region today.
[*Economics 980t. Decision Theory]
Catalog Number: 68904 Enrollment: Limited to 18.
Tomasz Strzalecki
Half course (spring term). W., 1–3.
An introduction to formal models of decision making in economics, including both classical and psychologically-motivated approaches. Topics include risk, uncertainty, ambiguity, and temptation.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
[*Economics 980u. Immigration Economics]
Catalog Number: 87839
George J. Borjas (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
There has been a resurgence of international migration in the past few decades. This course explores the economic determinants and consequences of these population flows. Specific topics include the study of how immigrants are non-randomly selected from the population of the sending countries, the measurement of assimilation in the receiving country, the impact on the labor markets of both receiving and sending countries, and the calculation of the economic benefits from immigration.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Economics 980v. Household Finance - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 47908
Brigitte C. Madrian (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term). M., 2–4.
This course explores the financial decisions of households. Relative to firms, households confront distinct financial challenges, including investments in assets like housing and education that are illiquid and poorly diversified, and constraints on borrowing. Specific topics include household financial literacy, the trade-off between consumption and saving, participation in financial markets and utilization of financial products (e.g., equity markets, housing markets, payday lending, credit cards), household asset allocation, insurance against household risks, and personal bankruptcy.
Economics 980w. Policy Options in Health and Environmental Economics - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 31219 Enrollment: Lottery
Ariel Pakes
Half course (spring term). Tu., 1–3.
The seminar will focus on policy issues in two areas; health economics, and environmental economics. We will read papers on an assortment of policy options and formulate frameworks for analyzing their likely impacts on outcomes of interest. Examples from health care include the analysis of mergers in hospital markets and the choice of capitation vs fee for service contracts. Examples from environmental economics include the choice between tradeable pollution permits and pollution taxes. Where possible we will use data and do the analysis quantitatively. Some knowledge of microeconomic and statistical tools, particularly those related to industrial organization, will be assumed.
*Economics 985c. Research in Labor Economics
Catalog Number: 5409
Jeffrey A. Miron and members of the Department
Full course. Fall: Th., 1-3; Spring: Hours to be arranged.
Workshop for seniors writing theses in labor economics and related topics. Emphasis on choice of research topics, methodology, and data sources. Written and oral presentations of work in progress leading toward completion of a major research paper or senior honors thesis are required.
*Economics 985d. Research in Economic Development
Catalog Number: 4989
Jeffrey A. Miron and Member of the Department
Full course. Fall: T., 11:30-1:30pm; Spring: Hours to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 13, 14, 15
Workshop for seniors writing theses in the areas of economic history and economic development, including health and population issues. Emphasis on choice of research topics, methodologies, and data sources. Written and oral presentations of work in progress leading toward completion of a major research paper or senior honors thesis are required.
*Economics 985e. Research in Macroeconomics
Catalog Number: 3740
Jeffrey A. Miron and members of the Department
Full course. M., 4–6.
Workshop for seniors writing theses in the fields of monetary and fiscal policy, business cycles, and economic growth. Emphasis on choice of research topics, methodology, and data sources. Written and oral presentations of work in progress leading toward completion of a major research paper or senior honors thesis are required.
*Economics 985f. Research in International Trade and Finance
Catalog Number: 7157
Richard N. Cooper
Full course. M., 3–5. EXAM GROUP: 8, 9
Workshop for seniors writing theses in international trade and finance. Emphasis on choice of research topics, methodology, and data sources. Written and oral presentations of work in progress leading toward completion of a major research paper or senior honors thesis are required.
*Economics 985g. Research in Behavioral and Experimental Economics
Catalog Number: 2566
Jeffrey A. Miron and members of the Department
Full course. Fall: W., 2-4; Spring: Hours to be arranged.
Workshop for seniors writing theses in behavioral and experimental economics. Emphasis on choice of research topics, methodology, and data sources. Written and oral presentations of work in progress leading toward completion of a major research paper or senior honors thesis are required.
*Economics 985h. Research in Financial Markets
Catalog Number: 0350
Jeffrey A. Miron and members of the Department
Full course. Fall: Th., 4-6; Spring: Hours to be arranged.
Workshop for seniors writing theses in finance. Emphasis on choice of research topics, methodology, and data sources. Written and oral presentations of work in progress leading toward completion of a major research paper or senior honor thesis are required. Topics include asset pricing and corporate finance.
*Economics 985k. Research in Public Economics
Catalog Number: 0871
Jeffrey A. Miron and members of the Department
Full course. Fall: Tu., 6-8; Spring: Hours to be arranged.
Workshop for seniors writing theses in public economics. Emphasis on choice of research topics, methodology, and data sources. Written and oral presentations of work in progress leading toward completion of a major research paper or senior honors thesis are required. Topics have included taxation, health economics, environmental and resource economics, and education.
*Economics 990. Tutorial — Senior Year
Catalog Number: 7342
Jeffrey A. Miron and members of the Department
Full course. Hours to be arranged.
For students writing a senior thesis out of sequence.
Note: Students who are writing a senior thesis out of sequence (i.e., beginning in the spring) must enroll in Economics 990 in the spring and complete the course in the fall. Students must write a 25-page paper at the end of the first term of Economics 990. Students currently enrolled in Economics 985 may not enroll in Economics 990.
Economics 1010a. Microeconomic Theory
Catalog Number: 1862
Jeffrey A. Miron and Marc J. Melitz
Half course (fall term). Lecture 1: Tu, Th, 10-11:30 or Lecture 2: M, W, 1-2:30; and a one-hour weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Focuses on the optimizing behavior of individual consumers and firms and coordination of individual decisions through markets, including the evaluation of market outcomes.
Note: Economics 1010a fulfills the intermediate microeconomic theory requirement for Economics concentrators. Students may take either Economics 1010a or Economics 1011a for credit. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning or the Core area requirement for Social Analysis.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10 and Mathematics 1a or their equivalents.
Economics 1010b. Macroeconomic Theory
Catalog Number: 2924
Christopher L. Foote (Federal Bank of Boston)
Half course (spring term). M., W., F., at 9, and a one-hour weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 2
Theories and evidence on economic growth and fluctuations. Determination of gross domestic product, investment, consumption, employment, and unemployment. Analysis of interest rates, wage rates, and inflation. Roles of fiscal and monetary policies.
Note: Economics 1010b fulfills the intermediate macroeconomic theory requirement for Economics concentrators. Students may take either Economics 1010b or Economics 1011b for credit. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning or the Core area requirement for Social Analysis.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10. While no specific mathematics course is required, knowledge of calculus at the level of Mathematics 1a is assumed.
Economics 1011a. Microeconomic Theory
Catalog Number: 7230
Edward L. Glaeser
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 11:30-1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
Economics 1011a is similar to Economics 1010a, but more mathematical and covers more material. The course teaches the basic tools of economics and to apply them to a wide range of human behavior.
Note: Economics 1011a fulfills the intermediate microeconomic theory requirement for Economics concentrators. Students may take either Economics 1010a or Economics 1011a for credit. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning or the Core area requirement for Social Analysis.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 21a or permission of the instructor.
Economics 1011b. Macroeconomic Theory
Catalog Number: 6993
Elias Papaioannou and Sebnem Kalemli-Ozcan (Kennedy School)
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10-11:30, and a one-hour weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
The same topics as in 1010b, but with a more mathematical approach.
Note: Economics 1011b fulfills the intermediate macroeconomic theory requirement for Economics concentrators. Students may take either Economics 1010b or Economics 1011b for credit. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning or the Core area requirement for Social Analysis.
Prerequisite: Economics 1011a, Mathematics 21a, or permission of the instructor.
[Economics 1017. A Libertarian Perspective on Economic and Social Policy]
Catalog Number: 1197 Enrollment: Limited to 200.
Jeffrey A. Miron
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Analyses the libertarian perspective on economic and social policy. This perspective differs from both liberal and conservative views, arguing for minimal government in most arenas. Policies addressed include drug prohibition, gun control, public education.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Analyses the libertarian perspective on economic and social policy. This perspective differs from both liberal and conservative views, arguing for minimal government in most arenas. Policies addressed include drug prohibition, gun control, public education, abortion rights, gay marriage, income redistribution, and campaign finance regulation.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10, or Economics 10 (fall term) and concurrent enrollment in Economics 10 (spring term).
Economics 1018. Cultural Economics
Catalog Number: 1775
Alberto F. Alesina
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Explores the importance of culture on economic outcomes, focusing on how heterogeneity of preferences affects economic choices and where those differences come from. Theoretical topics include group identity, social interactions and networks, evolutionary selection
Note: Explores the importance of culture on economic outcomes, focusing on how heterogeneity of preferences affects economic choices and where those differences come from. Theoretical topics include group identity, social interactions and networks, evolutionary selection, the importance of the family. Empirical applications include international investment, savings, occupational choices, ethical norms, economic development, fertility decisions.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a, and Economics 1123.
Economics 1030. Psychology and Economics
Catalog Number: 4709 Enrollment: Limited to 100.
David I. Laibson and Tomasz Strzalecki
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
Psychological concepts include social preferences, impulsivity, bounded rationality, loss-aversion, over-confidence, self-serving biases, hedonics, and neuroscience. Economic concepts include arbitrage, equilibrium, rational choice, utility maximization, Bayesian beliefs, game theory.
Note: Psychological concepts include social preferences, impulsivity, bounded rationality, loss-aversion, over-confidence, self-serving biases, hedonics, and neuroscience. Economic concepts include arbitrage, equilibrium, rational choice, utility maximization, Bayesian beliefs, game theory. Integrates these psychological and economic concepts to understand behavioral phenomena such as portfolio choice, saving, procrastination, addiction, asset pricing, auction bidding, labor supply, cooperation, persuasion.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10 and knowledge of univariate calculus.
[Economics 1032. The Packing Problem: The Behavioral Economics of Scarcity]
Catalog Number: 48309
Sendhil Mullainathan
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Why do highly successful people have a rush of energy and get things done at the last minute? Why didn’t they have that rush earlier? Why does poverty persist around the world? Why is obesity rampant? This course argues that all these questions can be understood by understanding the behavioral economics of scarcity. The lectures will span concepts from mathematics of computation, psychology, evolutionary biology to numerous economic applications.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. A research paper is required. This course meets the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10, an introductory course in Psychology, and Statistics 100, 101 or 104.
[Economics 1051. Introduction to Game Theory]
Catalog Number: 3692
Instructor to be determined
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Presents an introduction to the modern game theory, focusing on its use in economics. Main ideas of game theory are introduced and illustrated using examples from industrial organization, labor economics, and macroeconomics.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Students may not take both Economics 1051 and Economics 1052 for credit.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a.
Economics 1052. Game Theory and Economic Applications
Catalog Number: 2634
Eric S. Maskin
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30; Th., 4–5:30; Th., 4–5:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Introduction to game theory and its economic applications with more rigor than in Economics 1051. Topics include extensive-form and strategic-form games, Nash equilibrium, subgame-perfect equilibrium, Bayesian equilibrium, and applications to long-term cooperation, auctions, bargaining, and mechanism design.
Note: Students may not take both Economics 1051 and Economics 1052 for credit.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a and Mathematics 21a or permission of the instructor
Economics 1056. Market Design
Catalog Number: 69207 Enrollment: Limited to 40.
Susan Athey
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
This course studies the design of organized markets, focusing on efficient organization and the incentives created by market rules. Applications include online auction markets, government auctions of natural resources, procurement auctions, matching markets (students to classes or schools, medical residents to hospitals, kidneys to recipients). The analysis relies on a mix of documenting the rules of real-world markets, game theoretic analysis, empirical analysis, and experimental work. A research paper is optional with advance permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: Economics 1011a and either 1051, 1052, 1060, 1070, 1640, or 1641, or permission of instructor.
[Economics 1059 (formerly Theories of Decisionmaking in Economics). Decision Theory]
Catalog Number: 1322
Tomasz Strzalecki
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1-2:30, and a weekly section to be arranged.
An introduction to formal models of decision making in economics, including both classical and psychologically-motivated approaches. Topics include risk, uncertainty, ambiguity, and temptation.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a and Mathematics 21a.
Economics 1060. Contracts and Organizations
Catalog Number: 3267
Oliver S. Hart
Half course (spring term). M., W., 2:30–4; W., at 4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Explores theoretical and empirical work on incentive problems within and between organizations (with more emphasis on the theory). Topics include agency problems arising from moral hazard and asymmetric information, team problems, career concerns, relational contracts, incomplete contracts, boundaries of the firm, authority and delegation, financial contracting, public ownership.
Note: This course offers an optional writing requirement which if completed will satisfy the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a, Mathematics 20.
[Economics 1070. Normative Economics]
Catalog Number: 5972
Jerry R. Green
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Voting theory, social choice, mechanism design, bargaining theory, cooperative game theory, equitable cost allocation, fair division, welfare analysis of taxation, public expenditures and risk bearing. This course offers a rigorous approach to normative economics. Students should have an interest and ability to work with abstract mathematics and axiomatic reasoning.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. A graduate level of this course is being offered at the same time, therefore graduate students will be present in the class.
Prerequisite: Mathematical sophistication and interests in abstract reasoning is required, but there are no specific prerequisites.
Economics 1776. Religion and the Rise of Capitalism
Catalog Number: 30419
Benjamin M. Friedman
Half course (fall term). M., W., F., at 10 and a review section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 3
Examines the influence of religious thinking on the intellectual revolution, associated with Adam Smith and others, that created economics as we know it as an independent discipline; also examines how the lasting resonances from these early religious influences continue to shape discussion of economic issues and debates about economic policy down to our own day.
Note: This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for Culture and Belief or the Core area requirement for Historical Study A. This course fulfills the requirement that one of the eight General Education courses also engages substantially with Study of the Past.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10.
Economics 1936. Keynes’s General Theory - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 14325
Stephen A. Marglin
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 4–6. EXAM GROUP: 18
This course explores the birth, death, and resurrection of The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money from the Great Depression (1929-1939) to the Great Recession (2008-?). A major goal is to lay out a coherent argument that, for all its theoretical innovation, The General Theory did not deliver: the argument why a market system, even an idealized system with all of the warts removed, may fail to provide jobs for willing workers. In the process we will examine the orthodoxy that Keynes attacked and that resurfaced in the 1960s and 70s; the key concepts underlying the models implicit in The General Theory; and the attempts of the Keynesian mainstream to make peace with both Keynes and orthodoxy. We will also explore the applicability of The General Theory to the long run. A final section will view the present economic difficulties through a Keynesian lens.
Prerequisite: Pre-requisites: introductory economics at the level of Economics 10 or United States in the World 17; a year of college calculus allowing students to understand mathematical notation and concepts (derivatives, maximization, etc) even though mathematics will be used very sparingly.
Economics 2005hf. Research in Contracts and Organizations - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 11493
Oliver S. Hart 3462
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., at 12. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 14
Participants discuss recent research in contracts and organizations and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics.
*Economics 2010a. Economic Theory
Catalog Number: 8656
Edward L. Glaeser and Jerry R. Green
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 10-11:30, and a 90-minute weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Covers the theory of individual and group behavior. Topics include consumer theory, producer theory, behavior under uncertainty, externalities, monopolistic distortions, game theory, oligopolistic behavior, and asymmetric information.
Note: Enrollment is limited to students in the Economics and Business Economics PhD programs.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 116 or equivalent; can be taken concurrently.
Economics 2010b. Economic Theory
Catalog Number: 8659
Oliver S. Hart and Jerry R. Green
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10-11:30, and a 90-minute weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Topics include social choice theory, signaling, mechanism design, general equilibrium, the core, externalities, and public goods.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a.
Economics 2010c. Economic Theory
Catalog Number: 4431
David I. Laibson and Robert J. Barro
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 1-2:30, and a 90-minute weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
Topics include discrete-time and continuous-time dynamic programming, consumption, investment, economic growth, and business cycles.
Note: Enrollment is strictly limited to PhD students in the Economics Department, Business Economics program, and PEG program. Qualified Harvard undergraduates may also enroll. No other students may take the course for credit or as auditors.
Economics 2010d. Economic Theory
Catalog Number: 2041
Emmanuel Farhi and Kenneth Rogoff
Half course (spring term). M., W., 8:30-10, and a 90-minute section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 1, 2
A basic course in graduate macroeconomics, including models of business fluctuations, analyses of monetary and fiscal policy, and introduction to open economy macroeconomic issues.
Note: Enrollment is strictly limited to PhD students in the Economics Department, Business Economics program, and PEG program. Qualified Harvard undergraduates may also enroll. No other students may take the course for credit or as auditors.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 116 or the equivalent; can be taken concurrently.
*Economics 2020a. Microeconomic Theory I
Catalog Number: 0339 Enrollment: Limited to 102.
Christopher N. Avery (Kennedy School) and Elon Kohlberg (Business School)
Half course (fall term). M., W., 8:30-10 and a weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 1, 2
A comprehensive course in economic theory designed for doctoral students in all parts of the University. Consumption, production, uncertainty, markets, general equilibrium. Applications to policy analysis and business decisions. Emphasizes the use of economic theory in practical research.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-111 and with the Business School as 4010.
Prerequisite: Two years of calculus and one course in probability theory. Thorough background in microeconomic theory at the intermediate level. Undergraduates with the appropriate background are welcome.
*Economics 2020b. Microeconomic Theory II
Catalog Number: 4058
Christopher N. Avery (Kennedy School) and Julian Jamison (Kennedy School)
Half course (spring term). M., W., 8:30-10 and a weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 1, 2
A continuation of Economics 2020a. Topics include game theory, economics of information, incentive theory, and welfare economics.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-112 and with the Business School as 4011.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a or 2020a.
Economics 2030. Psychology and Economics
Catalog Number: 3828
Andrei Shleifer and David I. Laibson
Half course (fall term). W., 1-3. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Explores economic and psychological models of human behavior. Topics include bounded rationality, intertemporal choice, decision making under uncertainty, inference, choice heuristics, and social preferences. Economic applications include asset pricing, corporate finance, macroeconomics, labor, development, and industrial organization.
Note: Primarily for graduate students but open to undergraduates.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of multivariable calculus and econometrics.
Economics 2040. Experimental Economics
Catalog Number: 8485 Enrollment: Limited to 48.
Alvin E. Roth (FAS, Business School)
Half course (spring term). F., 9–12. EXAM GROUP: 2, 3, 4
An introduction to experimental economics, and some of the major subject areas that have been addressed by laboratory experiments. We concentrate on series of experiments, to see how experiments build on one another.
Note: Open to undergraduates with permission of the instructor. Offered jointly with the Business School as 4160.
Economics 2051r. Mathematical Methods in Economic Theory - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 61687
Wojciech Olszewski and Yuliy Sannikov
Half course (fall term). M., 2:30–5:30.
In the first part, basic concepts of measure theory will be introduced, and fundamental results will be discussed. The exposition will follow a graduate text in mathematics. This material will be illustrated with recently studied, economic applications: 1) the possibility of strategic manipulation of empirical tests; 2)the role of higher-order beliefs.
The second part focuses on the continuous-time approach to dynamic contracts, repeated games, and general equilibrium with financial frictions. This approach allows for clear characterizations of equilibria, effective computational methods and a rich language to capture volatility dynamics. Mathematically, the analysis will involve stochastic calculus, optimal control and differential equations.
Economics 2052. Game Theory I: Equilibrium Theory
Catalog Number: 3690
Nageeb Ali
Half course (spring term). W., 4–7 p.m. EXAM GROUP: 9
Equilibrium analysis and its applications. Topics vary, but typically include equilibrium refinements (sequential equilibrium), the equilibria of various classes of games (repeated games, auctions, signaling games) and the definition and application of common knowledge.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a or permission of the instructor.
Economics 2056a. Market Design
Catalog Number: 3634
Alvin E. Roth and Peter A. Coles (Business School)
Half course (fall term). F., 9–12. EXAM GROUP: 2, 3, 4
Deals with the theory and practice of market design, with prominent examples drawn from auctions, labor markets, school choice, and kidney exchange.
Note: Open to undergraduates with permission of the instructors. Offered jointly with the Business School as 4150.
Prerequisite: Game theory.
Economics 2056b. Topics in Market Design
Catalog Number: 0402
To be Determined
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Studies topics in market design, focusing on auctions, auction-based marketplaces and platform markets. Covers methods and results from theory, empirical work, econometrics and experiments, highlighting practical issues in real-world design.
[Economics 2057. Rationality and Choice]
Catalog Number: 3755 Enrollment: Limited to 25.
Amartya Sen
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
The course involves critical examination of alternative approaches to rationality, which is a central concept in economics, politics and the other social sciences, moral and political philosophy, and legal theory, including law and economics.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14.
[Economics 2058. Networks and Social Capital]
Catalog Number: 2872
Instructor to be determined
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Provides a rigorous theoretical introduction into network models. Discusses the emerging empirical literature on economic and social networks. Topics include the role of networks in technological progress, buyer-supplier networks, and social capital.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14.
Economics 2059. Decision Theory
Catalog Number: 3825
Tomasz Strzalecki
Half course (spring term). M., 2:30–5:30. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8, 9
The course focuses on classical models of choice in abstract settings, as well as uncertain and intertemporal environments. We will also study recent models that incorporate insights from psychology, such as temptation and self-control.
Economics 2060. Contract Theory
Catalog Number: 1404
Philippe Aghion
Half course (fall term). M., W., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 4, 5
Recent developments in contract theory. Includes hidden action and hidden information models, dynamic agency issues, incomplete contracts, and applications of contract theory to theories of the firm and corporate financial structure.
[*Economics 2070. Normative Economics]
Catalog Number: 5647
Jerry R. Green
Half course (fall term). M., W., F., at 10.
This course offers a rigorous approach to normative economics. Voting, bargaining, cooperative game theory, social choice, mechanism design, equitable cost allocation, fair division, welfare analysis of taxation, and more. Students should have an interest and ability to work with abstract mathematics and axiomatic reasoning.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Economics 2080. Economics and Politics: The Foundations of Economics in Political Theory
Catalog Number: 6576
Benjamin M. Friedman and Richard Tuck
Half course (fall term). W., 2–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Offers graduate students in relevant disciplines the chance to study the historical origins of central ideas in modern economics and to discuss their philosophical character.
Prerequisite: A basic knowledge of economics is assumed.
[Economics 2085. Economics of Inequality and Poverty]
Catalog Number: 16767 Enrollment: Limited to 25.
Amartya Sen
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
A general course on the evaluation and axiomatic measurement of inequality and poverty, and on the analysis of contemporary economic problems in that light.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14.
[*Economics 2087hfr (formerly *Economics 2087hf). Advanced Topics in Theory]
Catalog Number: 32489
Drew Fudenberg
Half course (throughout the year). F., 3–5.
The class will read and discuss current research in economics with a focus on game theory and decision theory. Students will be expected to make a verbal presentation.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a or permission of the instructor.
Economics 1126. Quantitative Methods in Economics
Catalog Number: 4076
Gary Chamberlain
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
Topics include elements of statistical decision theory and related experimental evidence; some game theory and related experimental evidence; maximum likelihood; logit, normal, probit, and ordered probit regression models; panel data models with random effects
Note: Economics 1123 may not be taken for credit if taken after Economics 1126, but credit will be given for both courses if Economics 1123 is taken first. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the Core requirement for Quantitative Reasoning.
Prerequisite: Statistics 100 or preferably 110; Mathematics 20.
Economics 1127. Statistical Methods for Evaluating Causal Effects
Catalog Number: 9967
Cassandra Pattanayak
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
Statistical methods discussed for inferring causal effects from data from randomized experiments or observational studies. Students will develop expertise to assess the credibility of causal claims and the ability to apply the relevant statistical methods for causal analyses. Examples will come from many disciplines: economics, education, other social sciences, epidemiology, and biomedical science. Evaluations of job training programs, educational voucher schemes, changes in laws such as minimum wage laws, medical treatments, smoking, military service.
Prerequisite: Statistics 100 or preferably Statistics 111; Mathematics 20.
Economics 2120. Introduction to Applied Econometrics
Catalog Number: 2352
Gary Chamberlain (spring term)
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
Introduction to methods employed in applied econometrics, including linear regression, instrumental variables, panel data techniques, generalized method of moments, and maximum likelihood.
Note: Enrollment limited to PhD candidates in economics, business economics, health policy, public policy, and political economy and government (PEG).
Prerequisite: Economics 2110.
Economics 2140. Econometric Methods
Catalog Number: 7210
Guido W. Imbens
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
Econometric methods for cross-section and panel data. Topics include generalized method of moments, empirical likelihood, instrumental variables, bootstrapping, clustering, treatment effects, selection bias, difference-in-differences, qualitative choice, quantile regression, nonparametric methods, and semiparametric methods.
Prerequisite: Economics 2120 or equivalent.
Economics 2142. Time Series Analysis
Catalog Number: 4414
James H. Stock
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 8:30–10. EXAM GROUP: 10, 11
A survey of modern time series econometrics. Topics include univariate models, vector autoregressions, linear and nonlinear filtering, frequency domain methods, unit roots, structural breaks, empirical process theory asymptotics, forecasting, and applications to macroeconomics and finance.
[Economics 2144. Advanced Applied Econometrics]
Catalog Number: 7686
Ariel Pakes
Half course (spring term). M., W., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 4, 5
An introduction to the theory and application of recently developed econometric techniques used in advanced applied work. Simulation techniques, estimation subject to inequality restrictions, as well as semiparametric and nonparametric tools will be studied in a variety of empirical contexts.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Economics 2146. Topics in Financial Econometrics
Catalog Number: 8715
Rustam Ibragimov
Half course (fall term). F., 4–7 p.m. EXAM GROUP: 9
A seminar course in financial econometrics. The topics covered include testing stylized facts in finance, robust inference, testing return predictability and market efficiency, inference in consumption-based asset pricing models and applications to real data.
Prerequisite: Economics 2120 or equivalent.
Economics 2149. Computational Economics
Catalog Number: 7236
Che-lin Su
Half course (fall term). M., W., 10–11:30.
Graduate introduction to computational approaches for solving economic models. Formulate economic problems in computationally tractable form and use techniques from numerical analysis to solve them. Computational techniques in the current economics literature will be examined. Topics include solving dynamic optimization problems, computing equilibria of games and estimating structural models.
Economics 2162. Research in Econometrics
Catalog Number: 2372
Guido W. Imbens 2671, Alberto Abadie (Kennedy School) 5277, Gary Chamberlain 1745, Rustam Ibragimov 5329, Dale W. Jorgenson 2000, and James H. Stock 1783
Full course (indivisible). M., at 12:30. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 5, 6
Participants discuss recent research in econometrics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics.
[Economics 1340. World Economic History]
Catalog Number: 4025 Enrollment: Limited to 80.
James Robinson
Half course (spring term). M., W., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
This course provides an overview of world economic history since the Neolithic revolution. It analyzes the main theories which have been proposed to explain these facts. Questions discussed are: why did the Neolithic revolution
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10 or Economics 10.
[Economics 1341. The Historical Origins of Middle Eastern Development]
Catalog Number: 9328
Eric Chaney
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Middle Eastern countries enjoyed world economic leadership during the Middle Ages, and continue to play an important role in the world economy. This course will explore the historical development of Middle Eastern economies. Topics include the effects of colonialism, natural resource endowments and religion on economic growth. The course will emphasize how these and other historical factors continue to influence development prospects in the region today.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14. A research paper is required. This course meets the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10.
Economics 1356. Economics of Work and Family
Catalog Number: 17685
Claudia Goldin
Half course (fall term). M., W., 11:30–1.
How are the most personal choices and life transitions decided? When and whom do you marry, how many children do you have, how much education should you obtain, and which careers or jobs will you pursue? Much will be explored in terms of change over time, particularly concerning the economic emergence of women and the growing role of government. Readings draw on economic theory, empirical analyses, history, and literature from the 19th century to the present.
Note: A research paper is required for this course. This course cannot be taken Pass/Fail. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for United States in the World or the Core area requirement for Social Analysis."
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or Economics 1011a or equivalent, and Economics 1123 or Economics 1126 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
[Economics 1357. Historical Perspectives on Economic Ascendancy]
Catalog Number: 7554
Richard A. Hornbeck
Half course (fall term). M., W., 2–3:30. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
An introduction to economic history broadly construed, focusing on economic growth and development. Covers topics such as the industrial revolution, institutions and property rights, financial markets and regulation, the1930s Great Depression, migration and labor markets, inequality, health, and environmental change. Emphasis on students learning to generate and implement ideas for new research.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Concentrators may not take pass/fail. Short research proposals are required, with an option to expand one into a longer paper that satisfies the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10 or permission of the instructor.
[Economics 1370. Media, Democracy and Economics]
Catalog Number: 45985 Enrollment: Limited to 30.
Philippe Aghion and Benedicte Berner
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
This course will analyze the role of media in political and economic development. Topics covered are the history of the relationship between media and the state, media and democracy today, laws governing the media and its practice, legal and political pressures on the media, media as an economic object, ownership of media and its effects, media coverage on elections and in developing countries, competition and truth in the market for news, the current mainstream media, and journalistic ethics.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10.
[Economics 1376hf (formerly Economics 1376). Closing the Global Gender Gap]
Catalog Number: 80007
Rohini Pande (Kennedy School) and Iris Bohnet (Kennedy School)
Half course (throughout the year). Hours to be arranged.
Building on insights from Behavioral Decision Making and Development Economics, the course provides a framework for understanding to what degree public policy and management can close these gender gaps. Using program evaluation techniques, students learn how to combine analysis and data to design and test specific interventions. The alternative format maximizes student learning, interaction with faculty and guest experts, and opportunities to share insights with decision makers in the field.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Jointly offered with the Kennedy School as PED-317. The course is co-taught and conceived as a year-long course with a period of intense training and interaction in January. Course satisfies the PPOL public management field requirement for HKS Ph.D students. Open to Economics Concentrators who satisfy the prerequisites.
Prerequisite: Advanced Statistics/Econometrics such as API-202 or API-210 or permission of the instructor.
Economics 1389. Economics of Global Health
Catalog Number: 1900
Guenther Fink (Public Health) (School of Public Health)
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
This course examines health issues in developing countries from the standpoint of applied microeconomic research. Specific topics include: identifying the effect of health on growth and development and identifying the causal relationships between income, poverty, and health. We will also discuss health care delivery and human resource issues, the challenges of healthcare financing and health insurance, and the tension between equity and efficiency in the allocation of health resources.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as SUP-518.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a (or 1011a) and 1123 (or 1126).
Economics 1393. Poverty and Development
Catalog Number: 6516
Nathan J. Nunn
Half course (spring term). M., W., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4
Studies the relationship between economic growth, poverty, and income distribution. Discusses how globalization affects poverty and inequality. Studies the main theories of economic growth and the main potential sources of economic development, from physical capital accumulation, to education, to technology, to the role of government. Discusses various global issues such as public global health (e.g. the impact of malaria and AIDS on Africa), corruption and institutions, natural resources, the environment, international donor institutions, and population growth.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a (or 1011a) and 1010b (or 1011b). It is recommended that students have taken Ec 1123 or equivalent.
Economics 2327. Economic Development: Theory, Policy, and Evidence
Catalog Number: 8092
Dani Rodrik (Kennedy School) and Rema N. Hanna (Kennedy School)
Half course (spring term). M., W., 11:40-1, and a weekly section, F., 1-2:30. EXAM GROUP: 4, 5
Provides a graduate-level overview of the theory of and evidence on economic development from a policy-oriented perspective. Aim is to allow students to analyze policy debates surrounding development from a broad and rigorous analytical base.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as PED-101.
[Economics 2328. The Emergence of Modern Economic Growth: A Comparative and Historical Analysis]
Catalog Number: 9475
James Robinson
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Overview and analysis of comparative economic development during the last half millennia. Examines the emergence of modern economic growth in Europe after 1500, and the forces that led to the great divergence in prosperity in the 19th century. Also considered: colonialism, communism, fascism, and revolution.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14.
Economics 2330. History and Human Capital
Catalog Number: 2588
Claudia Goldin and Lawrence F. Katz
Half course (spring term). M., W., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4
Explores a range of subjects concerning human capital, historically and comparatively. Topics include fertility, mortality, health, immigration, women’s work, child labor, retirement, education, inequality, slavery, unionization, and governmental regulation of labor, all within the broader context of economic history.
Note: Satisfies the graduate distribution requirement. Open to undergraduates on a limited basis with permission of instructor.
[Economics 2333. Historical Perspectives on Current Economic Issues]
Catalog Number: 6800
Richard A. Hornbeck
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Comparative economic history emphasizing sources of economic growth and development. Topics include technological change and industrialization, institutions, the Great Depression and financial regulation, migration and adjustment to economic shocks, public infrastructure, labor markets and wage inequality, and health. Each topic is motivated by a current concern and develops methods for historical analysis to inform modern economic questions.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14. Satisfies the graduate distribution requirement. Open to undergraduates on a limited basis with permission of instructor.
*Economics 2339. Research in Economic History
Catalog Number: 8183
Eric Chaney 6129, Stanley Engerman (spring term only), Claudia Goldin 2667, Richard A. Hornbeck 6423 (on leave 2011-12), and Nathan J. Nunn 5838
Full course (indivisible). M., 4–5:30. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 9
Participants discuss recent research in economic history and present their own work in progress.
Note: Primarily, but not exclusively, for doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations. Popularly known as The History Tea.
[Economics 2350. Workshop in Religion, Political Economy, and Society]
Catalog Number: 0815
Rachel M. McCleary, Robert J. Barro, and Edward L. Glaeser
Half course (spring term). Th., 1–2:30.
Topics on the interplay between religion and the social sciences.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Economics 2390b. Development Economics I: Microeconomic Issues
Catalog Number: 2990
Michael R. Kremer
Half course (fall term). M., W., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Topics include agricultural issues such as peasant behavior, land tenancy, interlinked markets; credit and insurance market problems and institutions; health, nutrition, and productivity; gender bias; education; and technology adoption.
Economics 2390c. Development Economics II: Macroeconomic Issues
Catalog Number: 0388
Michael R. Kremer and Shawn Cole (Business School)
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
The first part will cover macro-economic topics including aggregative and non-aggregative growth models, growth and development accounting and models of technology diffusion and choice. The second part will evaluate the role of governance/institutional design in affecting development.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School of Government as PED-319.
*Economics 2390dhf. Research in Economic Development
Catalog Number: 1926
Sendhil Mullainathan 5139 (on leave 2011-12), Philippe Aghion 1263 (on leave spring term), Richard A. Hornbeck 6423 (on leave 2011-12), Asim I. Khwaja (Kennedy School) 3994, and Michael R. Kremer 2112
Half course (throughout the year). Hours to be arranged.
Participants discuss recent research in development economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.
Note: Popularly known as the Development Lunch.
[Economics 2393. The Design of Development Policy: From Research to Practice]
Catalog Number: 62879
Sendhil Mullainathan and Rohini Pande (Kennedy School)
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Development research is fascinating in part because it has a direct impact on public policy. Yet the pathways to impact are very different, from shaping how we evaluate public and non-profit programs to setting countrywide goals. This course will take a micro-economic perspective and critically review the distinct ways in which research affects and is affected by public policy. General topics will include: the debate over randomized evaluations, the creation and diffusion of policy innovations, the tension between micro and macro policy approaches and the role of theory. Specific areas covered will include Finance, Education and Public health and Governance.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14. The course will presumes knowledge of an advanced statistics course. Open to undergraduates with permission of the instructor. Jointly listed with the Kennedy School as PED-330.
Economics 1415. Analytic Frameworks for Policy - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 93229
Richard J. Zeckhauser (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Tu., Th., 10:10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
This course develops abilities in using analytic frameworks in the formulation and assessment of public policies. It considers a variety of analytic techniques, particularly those directed toward uncertainty and interactive decision problems. It emphasizes the application of techniques to policy analysis, not formal derivations. Students encounter case studies, methodological readings, modeling of current events, the computer, a final exam, and challenging problem sets.
Note: Jointly offered by HKS as API-302.
Prerequisite: Economics 1011a or permission of instructor.
Economics 1420. American Economic Policy
Catalog Number: 8110
Martin Feldstein and Jeffrey B. Liebman (Kennedy School)
Half course (spring term). M., W., F., at 10, and a weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 3
Analyzes major issues in American economic policy including taxation, Social Security, health care reform, budget policy, monetary and fiscal policy, and exchange rate management. Current economic issues and policy options discussed
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-126. This course offers an optional writing requirement which if completed will satisfy the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a, or permission of instructor.
Economics 1425. Political Economics
Catalog Number: 68084 Enrollment: Limited to 20.
Andrei Shleifer
Half course (spring term). Th., 2:30–4:30. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17, 18
Discusses several research areas in political economy, including the origins of the state, comparative political systems, theories of economic reform, fiscal problems in democracies, rule of law, privatization, and regulation.
Note: A research paper is required. This course meets the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a.
[Economics 1430. Macroeconomics and Politics]
Catalog Number: 5549
Robert J. Barro
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
Topics include the political economy of economic growth, including the roles of democracy and legal institutions; inflation, monetary policy, and fiscal policy; interplay between religion and political economy; and analyses of economic and monetary unions.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010b or 1011b, or permission of the instructor.
Economics 1432. Economics of European Integrations
Catalog Number: 29276
Hans-helmut Kotz
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 2:30-4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
The aim of the course is to give students familiarity with a broad range of European policy issues: integration of markets (for goods, services, and labor), monetary union (ECB) and its consequences for fiscal policy, financial sector regulation as well as supervision. It is offered for students who would like to employ the tools they have learned in principles of economics and introductory micro and macro courses on real world cases. This implies to write and present a paper (mandatory writing requirement).
[Economics 1435. Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy]
Catalog Number: 73396
Emmanuel Farhi
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 1–2:30.
Examines fiscal policy, monetary policy, exchange rate policy, and financial regulation. Emphasizes both short-term stabilization goals and longer-term policy objectives. Considerable attention to recent policy.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Prerequisite: Students taking this course should have taken an intermediate macroeconomics class (1010b or 1011b). Knowledge of univariate calculus and basic statistics will be assumed.
Economics 1450r. Religion and Political Economy - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 43748
Robert J. Barro
Half course (fall term). W., 2–4:30. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8, 9
Recent research on religion has stressed social-science approaches. Parts of the work assess effects of economic and other forces on religious participation and beliefs. This topic includes models of secularization and of competition among alternative forms of religion, including analyses of the Reformation. Religious conversion and the club model of religious participation will be considered. Other aspects of the research analyze effects of religiosity on microeconomic variables, including work effort, thrift, education, health, and violence. Parts consider the impact of religion on macroeconomic outcomes, including economic growth. Additional work considers the interplay between religion and political institutions, including the role of state religion and interactions with Communism and democracy.
Note: Satisfies writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Macroeconomics and Microeconomics: Ec1010a/1011a and Ec1010b/1011b.
Economics 1460. Economics of Health Care Policy
Catalog Number: 4540
Joseph P. Newhouse (Kennedy School, Medical School, Public Health)
Half course (spring term). M., W., 8:30–10. EXAM GROUP: 1, 2
Policy issues related to the following: the demand for medical care services, especially as a function of insurance; the demand for insurance and issues of selection; reimbursement policies of Medicare and other payers toward health plans, hospitals, and physicians; effects of health maintenance organizations and managed care; and malpractice and tort reform. Focus on federal policy, although state and local perspectives will receive some attention.
Note: Students may not take both Economics 1460 and Quantitative Reasoning 24: Health Economics and Policy for credit. Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as SUP-572. This course offers an optional writing requirement which if completed will satisfy the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a. A statistics course is highly desirable.
Economics 1490. Growth and Crisis in the World Economy
Catalog Number: 35497 Enrollment: Limited to 30.
Dale W. Jorgenson
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
This course assesses the future of the tri-polar world economy - Asia, Europe, and North America. The course analyzes the resurgence of the US economic growth, the emergence of asset pricing bubbles, and the ensuing financial and economic crisis. We will discuss the sources of Asian growth miracles and the convergence and subsequent divergence of Europe and North America. What growth rate is sustainable and who will lead? What are the forces that threaten long-term prosperity?
Note: This course satisfies the Economics concentration writing requirement. Students who would like to enroll should submit the application form available on the course website.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a (or 1011a) and 1010b (or 1011b).
Economics 2410c. Advanced Topics in Macroeconomics
Catalog Number: 1746
Alp Simsek
Half course (spring term). M., W., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 4, 5
Investigates the effect of financial market imperfections on aggregate investment and asset prices. Topics include financial persistence and amplification mechanisms, fire sales and limits to arbitrage, leverage cycles, asset price bubbles, financial fragility and financial contagion.
Economics 2412a. Political Economics
Catalog Number: 47596
Alberto F. Alesina
Half course (fall term). Tu., 2–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
Discusses several research areas in political economy, including the origins of the state, comparative political systems, theories of economic reform, fiscal problems in democracies, rule of law, privatization, regulation, and elections and the economy.
Economics 2412b. Law, Economics, and Politics
Catalog Number: 62703
Andrei Shleifer and Elias Papaioannou
Half course (spring term). W., 2–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
The course will discuss a range of topics covering political economy and law and economics. The topics will include: determinants of economic growth, social capital, legal systems and traditions, regulation, courts, public and private ownership, and economic transition.
[Economics 2412c. Introduction to Formal Political Economy ]
Catalog Number: 59539
Instructor to be determined
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
This class tries to familiarize students with the basics in formal political economy, and give a sense of the research frontier. Topics include models of collective choice, information aggregation in elections, legislative decision-making, and lobbying.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
*Economics 2420hf. Research in Macroeconomics
Catalog Number: 5946
Alberto F. Alesina 2074, Philippe Aghion 1263 (on leave spring term), Robert J. Barro 1612, Emmanuel Farhi 5715, Benjamin M. Friedman 3787, David I. Laibson 1241, and N. Gregory Mankiw 1118 (on leave spring term)
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 11:30–1.
Participants discuss recent research in macroeconomics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.
Note: Popularly known as the Macro Lunch.
Economics 2421. Reading Course in Monetary and Fiscal Policy
Catalog Number: 97507
Benjamin M. Friedman and Michael Woodford (Columbia University)
Half course (spring term). W., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
A reading course that allows students to discuss and evaluate recent research in the analysis of monetary and fiscal policies. Students will be expected to participate in formally presenting, and critiquing, unpublished or newly published papers.
Note: Students taking the course for credit will also be expected to undertake research papers of their own.
Economics 2450a. Public Economics and Fiscal Policy I
Catalog Number: 1339
Jeffrey B. Liebman (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term). M., W., F., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 4, 5
This course covers basic issues in the optimal design of tax and social insurance policies, with emphasis on combining theoretical models with empirical evidence. Topics include efficiency costs and incidence of taxation, income taxation, transfer and welfare programs, public goods and externalities, optimal social insurance, and welfare analysis in behavioral models.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a and 2010b or Economics 2020a and 2020b.
Economics 2450b. Public Economics and Fiscal Policy II
Catalog Number: 6478
Martin Feldstein and Edward L. Glaeser
Half course (spring term). M., W., (F.), 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 4, 5
This course covers theoretical and empirical applications of public economics to policy debates. Topics include education, local public finance, fiscal federalism, housing policy, corporate and international taxation, social security, and macroeconomic stabilization using fiscal policy.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a and 2010b or Economics 2020a and 2020b. Students are strongly encouraged to take Economics 2450a before taking 2450b.
Economics 2455r. Imperfect Knowledge in Macroeconomics - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 67761
Michael Woodford (Columbia University)
Half course (fall term). W., 1–3. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Consequences for macroeconomic modeling of departures from the full-information/rational-expectations paradigm. Topics include models of sticky information, rational inattention, coordination failures and global games, adaptive learning, and agent-based computational models. Particular attention will be given to applications to analyses of price adjustment and the effects of monetary policy, to implications of bounded rationality for the choice of a desirable monetary policy, and to explanations of asset-pricing anomalies and ?bubbles.?
Economics 2460. Health Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 7617
Joseph P. Newhouse (Kennedy School, Medical School, Public Health), Amitabh Chandra (Kennedy School), and David M. Cutler
Half course (spring term). W., 4–6. EXAM GROUP: 9
Focuses on theory, econometric models, and public policy of health care. Frontier work in health economics presented and discussed by instructors and outside speakers.
Note: May be taken for credit only by dissertation students writing a research paper. Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as SUP-951.
Economics 2465. Health Economics
Catalog Number: 83396
David M. Cutler
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4; (F.), 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7, 16, 17
This course surveys topics in health economics. It touches on public sector issues, the industrial organization of health care markets, interactions between health and labor markets, and health in developing countries. Theory and empirical work are presented.
Economics 2480. Research in Public Economics and Fiscal Policy: Research Seminar
Catalog Number: 6834
Raj Chetty 6276 (on leave fall term), David M. Cutler 2954, and Martin Feldstein 1509
Full course. Tu., 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
Participants discuss recent research in public economics and fiscal policy and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.
*Economics 2490. The Economics of National Security Seminar
Catalog Number: 9061
Martin Feldstein
Half course (spring term). Tu., 6–9 p.m. EXAM GROUP: 18
Considers a range of issues relating to national security, including bioterrorism, the market for nuclear weapons, the defense industry, the dependence on imported oil, intelligence, sanctions, etc.
Note: Speakers will be both experts with experience in this field and economists doing research on these issues. Seminar participants will be economics department faculty and selected graduate students.
Economics 1531. Economics of International Financial Policy
Catalog Number: 7018
Jeffrey A. Frankel (Kennedy School)
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
This course examines the macroeconomics of open economies. It covers models appropriate to major industrialized countries. Topics include the foreign exchange market, devaluation, and import and export elasticities; simultaneous determination of the trade balance, national income, balance of payments, money flows, and price levels; capital flows and our increasingly integrated financial markets; monetary and fiscal policy in open economies; international macroeconomic interdependence; supply relationships and monetary policy targets; exchange rate determination; and international portfolio diversification.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as ITF-220. May not be taken for credit with Economics 1530.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010/1011. Knowledge of international trade theory and econometric techniques is also desirable, but not essential. Students must be very comfortable with algebra.
Economics 1535. International Trade and Investment
Catalog Number: 2557
Pol Antràs
Half course (spring term). M., W., 2–3:30. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Analyzes the causes and consequences of international trade and investment. Focuses on the interplay of economic theory and empirical descriptions of foreign trade and direct investment patterns.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a.
[Economics 1540. Topics in International Trade]
Catalog Number: 7470
Pol Antràs
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Covers advanced topics in international economics with a special emphasis on an analytical approach to the recent process of globalization. Topics include the role of multinational firms in the global economy, the effect of international outsourcing on wages, and trade and industrial development.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. This course offers an optional writing requirement which if completed will satisfy the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Economics 1535 and basic knowledge of calculus and econometrics.
[Economics 1542. International Trade Policy]
Catalog Number: 2613
Elhanan Helpman
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Provides a discussion of the economic impacts of international trade policies and the political economy of trade policy formation. The course will focus on analytical methods and therefore requires knowledge of calculus.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a, or permission of instructor.
Economics 1545. International Financial and Macroeconomic Policy
Catalog Number: 5166
Kenneth Rogoff
Half course (fall term). M., W., 1–2:30; M., at 4:30; Tu., at 4:30.
Advanced theoretical and empirical analysis of contemporary international macroeconomic policy issues in both industrialized and developing economies. Topics include exchange rates, international capital flows, debt crises, growth, and policy coordination.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010b or 1011b.
Economics 2530b. International Finance
Catalog Number: 7144
Gita Gopinath
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 8:30–10. EXAM GROUP: 10, 11
Financial aspects of growth and income determination in open economies. Topics include international business cycle, monetary and exchange rate regimes, capital flows, and current issues in international macroeconomic policy.
Prerequisite: Economics 2530a provides extremely useful background.
Economics 2535. Advanced Topics in International Trade
Catalog Number: 6410
Pol Antràs
Half course (spring term). M., W., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4
Covers advanced theoretical and empirical topics concerning the determinants of world trade patterns.
Prerequisite: Economics 2530a or permission of instructor.
[Economics 2537. International Trade Policy: Issues and Analysis ]
Catalog Number: 1699
Dani Rodrik (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Develops expertise with economic models used for the analysis of international trade policies. Focuses on theoretical and empirical work relating to trade patterns, income distribution, growth, development, industrial policy, political economy, and the WTO.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14. Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as ITF-345. Students are expected to make presentations and write a research paper.
Prerequisite: Graduate level microeconomics and econometrics.
*Economics 2540hf. Research in International Economics
Catalog Number: 4008
Kenneth Rogoff 1746 and members of the Department
Half course (throughout the year). W., at 12. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 5
Participants discuss recent research in international economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.
Note: Popularly known as the International Lunch.
Economics 1635. Technology Innovation and Economic Growth - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 41707
F. Michael Scherer (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term). M., W., 1:10–2:30.
This course provides a solid conceptual foundation for understanding how technology affects the economy, how economic forces reciprocally influence technological changes, and the decision-making processes through which innovation occurs. Examined in turn are productivity growth, markets for innovations and high-technology talent, basic science, the management and financing of R&D, the patent system, Schumpeterian hypotheses, technology diffusion processes, government science and technology policy, and the impact of technological change on international trade and labor markets.
Note: Jointly offered by HKS as BGP-213
Prerequisite: API-101 or Economics 1010a or equivalent.
[Economics 1640. Industrial Organization: Theory and Applications]
Catalog Number: 7875 Enrollment: Limited to 30.
Instructor to be determined
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Theoretical and empirical analysis of contemporary topics in industrial organization. Uses economic theory to analyze important issues facing firms, and examines the practical challenges of empirical applications of theory.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Students may not take both Economics 1640 and Economics 1641 for credit.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a.
Economics 1642. Advanced Industrial Organization
Catalog Number: 9613
Gregory M. Lewis
Half course (spring term). M., W., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4
Theory and modern empirical techniques in industrial organization. Topics may include static analysis and estimation of market equilibrium; dynamic models of entry and investment; price discrimination, collusion, mergers and vertical control, with applications to antitrust policy; and issues in auctions and market design.
Note: This is a hands-on course, and students will be expected to use Stata or other statistical software to perform data analysis.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a; Economics 1123 or 1126.
Economics 1661. Fundamentals of Environmental Economics and Policy
Catalog Number: 2115
Robert N. Stavins (Kennedy School)
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1-2:30 and an optional review section F., 1-2:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Provides a survey, from the perspective of economics, of environmental and natural resource policy. Combines lectures on conceptual and methodological topics with examinations of public policy issues.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as ENR-201. This course offers an optional writing requirement which if completed will satisfy the concentration writing requirement.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10 or permission of instructor.
Economics 1687. Advanced Economics of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change
Catalog Number: 44432
Martin L. Weitzman
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1-2:30; and a weekly recitation T., 4-5:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Survey of foundations and applications of the modern theory of environmental and natural-resource economics. What are the basic models and what are they suggesting about policy? Externalities, public goods, common property, strategies for controlling pollution. Dynamics of renewable resources (fisheries, forestry) and dynamics of non-renewable resources (minerals like oil). Discounting, uncertainty, cost-benefit analysis, investment criteria for environmental projects, green accounting, sustainability. Basic economic analysis of climate change as prototype example.
Note: Students from other concentrations are welcome to take this course for credit.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a.
Economics 2611. Industrial Organization II
Catalog Number: 2302
Gregory M. Lewis
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1–2:30; M., 4–5:30; Tu., 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Application of industrial organization to problems of public policy. Applied analysis of antitrust policy, network industries, vertical relationships, auctions, and other topics depending on interest.
Note: Students are urged to take Economics 2610 before Economics 2611.
*Economics 2640hf. Research in Industrial Economics
Catalog Number: 5981
Ariel Pakes 1774, Susan Athey 5334 (on leave spring term), and Gregory M. Lewis 5868
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
Participants present their own research in progress in an informal setting. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their general examinations and are in the early stages of their dissertations.
[Economics 2665. The Economics of Organizations Workshop]
Catalog Number: 9819
Oliver S. Hart
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Speakers present current research in the field in a seminar setting.
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14. Offered jointly with the Business School as 4230.
[Economics 2670. Organizational Economics]
Catalog Number: 6913
Instructor to be determined
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Theoretical and empirical work on organizations. Topics include agency problems inside organizations, boundaries of the firm, relational contracting, authority, hierarchies, delegation, decentralization, and nonstandard organizational arrangements (including joint ventures, venture capital, and public ownership).
Note: Expected to be given in 2013–14. Offered jointly with the Business School as 4180.
Prerequisite: Economics 2020.
[Economics 2680. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics]
Catalog Number: 6529
Martin L. Weitzman
Half course (fall term). M., W., 1–2:30.
Basic theory and models. Externalities, common property, public goods, pollution control, renewable and non-renewable resources, discounting, uncertainty, cost-benefit analysis, green accounting, sustainability, climate change.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Students welcome from other departments and programs. There is a choice of a research paper or final exam. Will not be offered in 2011-12.
Prerequisite: Graduate price theory at level of Economics 2010 or 2020.
*Economics 2690hf. Environmental Economics and Policy Seminar
Catalog Number: 4324
Robert N. Stavins (Kennedy School) and Martin L. Weitzman
Half course (throughout the year). W., 4–5:30. EXAM GROUP: 9
Selected topics in environmental and resource economics. Emphasizes theoretical models, quantitative empirical analysis, and public policy applications. Includes invited outside speakers.
Note: Primarily for graduate students in economics or related fields with environmental interests. Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-905Y.
Prerequisite: Graduate-level course in microeconomic theory.
Economics 1745. Corporate Finance
Catalog Number: 5889
Efraim Benmelech
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 1-2:30, and a weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
Introduction to corporate finance, including capital budgeting, capital structure of firms, dividend policy, corporate governance, and takeovers.
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a, Mathematics 20, and Statistics 100.
[Economics 1759. The Financial Crisis]
Catalog Number: 90007
Jeremy C. Stein
Half course (spring term). M., W., 1–2:30.
This course provides a detailed examination of events in financial markets during the crisis period that began in August of 2007. Topics include: the housing bubble and mortgage markets
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Prerequisite: Economics 1723 or 1745.
Economics 1760. Behavioral Finance - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 77458
Owen A. Lamont
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30; Th., at 3; Th., at 5. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Theory and empirical evidence on selected questions in financial economics, with an emphasis on current research. Topics include behavioral finance, market efficiency, and corporate investment and financing decisions.
Prerequisite: Economics 1723
Economics 2725. Corporate Finance
Catalog Number: 1427
Efraim Benmelech and David S. Scharfstein (Business School)
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Theory and empirical evidence on capital structure, dividends, investment policy, and managerial incentives. Topics include banking, corporate governance, and mergers.
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4223.
Prerequisite: Economics 2060.
Economics 2726. Theoretical and Empirical Perspective on Entrepreneurship: Economics and Finance
Catalog Number: 4451
Joshua Lerner (Business School) and William Robert Kerr (Business School)
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Entrepreneurship is a complex phenomenon that has attracted little academic attention. This course explores the emerging work in this area. Students taking the course for credit will be expected to complete two referee reports and a paper.
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4350.
Economics 2727. Empirical Methods in Corporate Finance
Catalog Number: 9055
Paul Gompers (Business School), Robin Marc Greenwood (Business School), and Joshua Lerner (Business School)
Half course (spring term). Th., 2:30–5:30. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17, 18
Examines empirical research in corporate finance. Covers empirical research methodology, financial institutions, and financial policy. Major emphasis is on how to do well-executed and persuasive research in corporate finance.
Note: Structured to minimize overlap with Economics 2725. Seminar format; students write referee reports and a research paper. Offered jointly with the Business School as 4220.
[Economics 2728. Behavioral Finance]
Catalog Number: 8633
Jeremy C. Stein
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Deals with theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of financial markets using psychological or behavioral ideas. Topics include limited arbitrage, predictability of security returns, and trading volume.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
*Economics 2770hf. Research in Financial Economics
Catalog Number: 1379
John Y. Campbell 1230, Efraim Benmelech 5419, and Jeremy C. Stein 3752
Half course (throughout the year). F., 12–1:30.
Participants discuss recent research in financial economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4601.
[Economics 1816. Race in America]
Catalog Number: 2483 Enrollment: Limited to 40.
Roland G. Fryer
Half course (fall term). M., W., 1–2:30.
Examines the causes and consequences of racial inequality in America and evaluates the efficacy of various market and non-market solutions. Topics include: the racial achievement gap in education, the impact of crack cocaine on inner cities, racial differences in health, crime and punishment, labor market discrimination, social interactions and the effects of peer groups, affirmative action, and more.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10.
[Economics 1818. Economics of Discontinuous Change]
Catalog Number: 3029
Richard B. Freeman
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 1-2:00, and a weekly section to be arranged.
Explores discontinuous changes in the economic position of groups and countries and presents mathematical and computer simulation models designed to illuminate these changes. Examples include growth/decline of trade unions, segregation of groups, development of linkages on the internet, changes in corporate work culture, growth of social pathologies in neighborhoods, and Malthusian concerns about the environment. Models include nonlinear simulations, neural networks, finite automata, evolutionary stable strategies, causal conjunctures, agent-based simulations, and genetic algorithms.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13. A research paper is required. Students should have some mathematical background, but there is no prerequisite.
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10.
Economics 2811. Social Economics
Catalog Number: 5188
Roland G. Fryer
Half course (spring term). Tu., 8–9:30, W., 6–7:30 p.m. EXAM GROUP: 9, 10, 11
Applies the tools of economics to explore social issues including crime, discrimination, racial and gender differences, poverty, family structure, urban problems, social interactions and peer effects, and intergenerational mobility.
*Economics 2812hf. Research in Labor Economics
Catalog Number: 0230
Lawrence F. Katz 1480, Roland G. Fryer 5523, Edward L. Glaeser 3219, Claudia Goldin 2667, and Amanda Pallais 1652
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 1–2:30.
Participants discuss recent research in labor economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.
[Economics 2880. Economics of Science]
Catalog Number: 7488
Richard B. Freeman
Half course (spring term). Th., 2:30–5:30. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17, 18
Analyzes economic issues regarding the role of science and RD in the economy and in the deployment and productivity of scientists, engineers, and highly skilled technical workers. Topics include: wage levels/employment prospects; stipend policy, education/recruitment, student unionization/post-doc organization, career choices/trajectories, with reference to women; scientific competition/collaboration.
Note: Expected to be given in 2012–13.
Economics 2888r (formerly Economics 2888hf). Economics of Science and Engineering Workshop
Catalog Number: 6311
Richard B. Freeman
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). F., 12–1:30. EXAM GROUP: 5, 6
Focus on work force and career issues. Topics include: Effects of globalization on work force and innovation, growth of networks in work; impact of career incentives on productivity; university policies; mobility between academe and industry; link between ideas and outputs.
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4245.
*Economics 3005. Reading and Research
Catalog Number: 3493
Philippe Aghion 1263 (on leave spring term), Alberto F. Alesina 2074, Robert J. Barro 1612, Efraim Benmelech 5419 (fall term only), John Y. Campbell 1230, Gary Chamberlain 1745, Richard N. Cooper 7211, David M. Cutler 2954, Martin Feldstein 1509, Richard B. Freeman 4127 (on leave 2011-12), Benjamin M. Friedman 3787, Drew Fudenberg 3460 (on leave 2011-12), Edward L. Glaeser 3219, Claudia Goldin 2667, Gita Gopinath 5042 (on leave 2011-12), Jerry R. Green 1539, Oliver S. Hart 3462, Elhanan Helpman 2334, Richard A. Hornbeck 6423 (on leave 2011-12), Caroline M. Hoxby 1235, Rustam Ibragimov 5329, Robert T. Jensen (Kennedy School) 4548, Dale W. Jorgenson 2000, Lawrence F. Katz 1480, Michael R. Kremer 2112, N. Gregory Mankiw 1118 (on leave spring term), Stephen A. Marglin 1505, James L. Medoff 4672 (on leave 2011-12), Jeffrey A. Miron 5067, Markus M. Möbius 3441, Marcelo J. Moreira 4365, Julie H. Mortimer 3993, Sendhil Mullainathan 5139 (on leave 2011-12), Ariel Pakes 1774, Rohini Pande (Kennedy School) 5786, Dwight H. Perkins 2300, Jack R. Porter 2337, Dani Rodrik (Kennedy School) 2394, Kenneth Rogoff 1746, Alvin E. Roth 564, Michael A. Schwarz 2729, Andrei Shleifer 2772, Robert N. Stavins (Kennedy School) 2093, Jeremy C. Stein 3752, James H. Stock 1783, Martin L. Weitzman 2262 (on leave fall term), and Jeffrey G. Williamson 7680
Individual work or work in small groups (with a professor or lecturer in residence) in preparation for the general examination for the PhD degree, or work on special topics not included in course offerings.
*Economics 3010. Direction of Doctoral Dissertations
Catalog Number: 4579
Members of the Department
Note: In all cases, the dissertation topic must have been formally submitted to, and approved by, a dissertation adviser.
*Economics 3011. The Behavioral and Experimental Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 0109
David I. Laibson 1241, Alvin E. Roth 564, and Tomasz Strzalecki 6294
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Tu., 2:30–4.
For students with an interest in economic theory. Faculty presentations by Harvard and MIT economists and invited guests. The location alternates between Harvard and MIT.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a (or 2020a) and 2010b (or 2020b).
*Economics 3086. The Theory Workshop
Catalog Number: 53875
Susan Athey 5334 (on leave spring term), Drew Fudenberg 3460 (on leave 2011-12), Alvin E. Roth 564, and Tomasz Strzalecki 6294
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Th., 4–6.
For students with an interest in economic theory. Faculty presentations by Harvard and MIT economists and invited guests. The location alternates between Harvard and MIT.
*Economics 3087. Applied Theory: Research Workshop
Catalog Number: 13964
Oliver S. Hart, Philippe Aghion, and Andrei Shleifer
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). M., 5:30–7 p.m. EXAM GROUP: 9
Presentations of current research in the Applied Theory Field.
*Economics 3163hf. The Econometrics Workshop
Catalog Number: 4392
Guido W. Imbens 2671, Gary Chamberlain 1745, Rustam Ibragimov 5329, Dale W. Jorgenson 2000, and James H. Stock 1783
Half course (throughout the year). Th., 4:30–6.
Outside speakers and faculty present current research topics in theory and applications of econometrics.
*Economics 3336hfr. Economic History Workshop
Catalog Number: 0639
Claudia Goldin 2667, Eric Chaney 6129, and Nathan J. Nunn 5838
Half course (throughout the year). Fall: F., 2–4; Spring: F., 3–4:30.
Intended for students writing dissertations related to economic history themes and/or methodology and for others with interests in economic history. Discusses research papers presented by scholars at Harvard and elsewhere.
*Economics 3390hf. Economic Development Workshop
Catalog Number: 2532
Michael R. Kremer 2112, Shawn Cole (Business School) 1228, Richard A. Hornbeck 6423 (on leave 2011-12), Asim I. Khwaja (Kennedy School) 3994, and Sendhil Mullainathan 5139 (on leave 2011-12)
Half course (throughout the year). Fall: Tu., 2:30–4; Spring: W., 2:30–4.
Fall speakers cover issues in growth and development. Spring speakers alternate between “growth and institutions,” focusing on the macro aspects of growth and development, and “labor and development,” focusing on the micro aspects.
*Economics 3410 (formerly Economics 2420). The Monetary and Fiscal Policy Seminar
Catalog Number: 2126
Alberto F. Alesina 2074, Philippe Aghion 1263 (on leave spring term), Robert J. Barro 1612, Emmanuel Farhi 5715, Benjamin M. Friedman 3787, David I. Laibson 1241, and N. Gregory Mankiw 1118 (on leave spring term)
Full course (indivisible). M., 2–4.
Seminar speakers present papers on macroeconomic topics, including issues relating to monetary and fiscal policies, economic growth, the role of institutions, and other research issues in the field.
Note: Popularly referred to as the Macro Seminar.
*Economics 3450hf. The Public Economics and Fiscal Policy Seminar
Catalog Number: 3436
David M. Cutler 2954, Raj Chetty 6276 (on leave fall term), Edward L. Glaeser 3219, and Lawrence F. Katz 1480
Half course (throughout the year). M., 4–6.
Invited speakers present theoretical and empirical research on a broad range of topics related to the design of government policy.
*Economics 3460c (formerly *Economics 3460chf). Research in Health Economics
Catalog Number: 5309
Joseph P. Newhouse (Kennedy School, Medical School, Public Health) 2425
Half course (fall term). .
Participants discuss recent research in health economics. Course may also include presentation of original research by participants. Open to doctoral students only.
*Economics 3530hf. The International Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 5777
Pol Antràs 4666, Richard N. Cooper 7211, Gita Gopinath 5042 (on leave 2011-12), Elhanan Helpman 2334, and Joseph P. Newhouse (Kennedy School, Medical School, Public Health) 2425
Half course (throughout the year). W., 4–6.
Outside speakers and faculty present research papers in all aspects of international economics, including theory, econometrics, and policy.
*Economics 3650hf. The Industrial Organization Workshop
Catalog Number: 3318
Susan Athey 5334 (on leave spring term), Gregory M. Lewis 5868, and Ariel Pakes 1774
Half course (throughout the year). M., 2:30–4.
Speakers present current research in the field in a seminar setting.
*Economics 3660hf. The Law, Economics, and Organizations Workshop
Catalog Number: 4325
Lucian A. Bebchuk (Law School) 2042, Oliver S. Hart 3462, Louis E. Kaplow (Law School) 3223, Joshua Lerner (Business School) 1601, and Andrei Shleifer 2772
Half course (throughout the year). M., 12:30–2.
The presentation of work in progress in the field of law, economics, and organizations. Presentations by members of the various Harvard faculties, outside speakers, and graduate students.
Note: Offered jointly with the Law School as 96250-11 and with the Business School as 4670.
*Economics 3680hf. Research in Environmental Economics
Catalog Number: 1227
Robert N. Stavins (Kennedy School) 2093
Half course (throughout the year). Fall: F., at 12; Spring: F., 12–1:30.
Participants discuss recent research in environmental and natural resource economics and present their own work in progress.
Note: Open to doctoral students only.
*Economics 3723hfr. The Financial Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 4107
Efraim Benmelech 5419, John Y. Campbell 1230, Alp Simsek 6832, and Jeremy C. Stein 3752
Half course (throughout the year). W., 4–5:30.
Outside speakers present current research in the field in a seminar setting.
*Economics 3810chfr. The Labor Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 4066
Lawrence F. Katz, Richard B. Freeman, Roland G. Fryer, and Amanda Pallais
Half course (throughout the year). W., 4–5:30.
Outside speakers present research concerning the operation of labor markets.