2023-24 Academic Catalog

This course examines the many ways in which economics explains family behaviors. Questions explored include: What factors explain marriage, divorce, and alternative family structures? How might we understand fertility decisions and the demographic transition that accompanies industrialization? How does family background (e.g., family size, parent income, or receipt of transfer payments) affect child outcomes? What factors explain the degree to which women have a voice within the family? How might policy reform alter family choices? Special attention is given to methodological issues pertaining to survey data. Prerequisite: Economics 329, 330, and 331, or instructor permission

This course will include a wide range of topics in Financial Economics and related policy analyses. Specific areas of study depend on student interest but will largely include topics like: financial asset returns; corporate financial policies and the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies of corporations; household financial portfolio choices; business cycle fluctuations, financial sector shocks, and the related macroeconomic policies; developments of financial markets and economic growth. Class time will be a combination of peer-reviewed journal article discussions, application of econometric techniques, individual presentations, and some small group activities to help with research ideas and writings. Prerequisite: Economics 329, 330, and 331, or instructor permission

Labor economics is the study of work and pay. It encompasses a wide variety of topics, including the nature of the labor contract, human capital investment, fringe benefits, search and hiring, turnover, working conditions, discrimination, union activities, income and wealth distribution, and government policies. The seminar considers labor market activities within the larger context of general household decision-making about family formation, the timing of marriage and childbirth, and the allocation of unpaid household work among family members. Prerequisite: Economics 329, 330, and 331, or instructor permission