ECON 46: Networks and Human Behavior
Two threads are interwoven: why social and economic networks have special features, and how those features shape power, opinions, opportunities, and behaviors. Some of the topics included are: the different ways in which a person's position in a network determines their influence; which systematic errors people make when forming opinions based on what they learn from others; how financial contagions work and why are they different from the spread of a flu; the role of splits in our social networks in inequality, immobility, and polarization; and how network patterns of trade and globalization have changed international conflict and wars. The course requires analyzing network data, which will be provided. No prerequisite but
Econ 102A or equivalent is recommended.
Last offered: Spring 2021
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SI
ECON 47: Media Markets and Social Good
This class will apply tools from economics and related social sciences to study the functioning of media markets and their impact on society. The guiding question will be: when and how do media best serve the social good? Topics will include the economics of two-sided markets, media bias, polarization, social media, fake news, advertising, propaganda, effects of media on children, media and crime, and the role of media in corruption, protests and censorship. The course will give students a non-technical introduction to social science empirical methods, including regression analysis, causal inference, experimental and quasi-experimental methods, and machine learning.
Last offered: Autumn 2020
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SI
ECON 102A: Introduction to Statistical Methods (Postcalculus) for Social Scientists
Probabilistic modeling and statistical techniques relevant for economics. Concepts include: probability trees, conditional probability, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, correlation, central limit theorems, point estimation, hypothesis testing and confidence intervals for both one and two populations. Prerequisite:
MATH 20 or equivalent.
Terms: Aut, Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Math, WAY-AQR, WAY-SI
Instructors:
McKeon, S. (PI)
;
Crystal, M. (TA)
;
Francisco Pugliese, J. (TA)
...
more instructors for ECON 102A »
Instructors:
McKeon, S. (PI)
;
Crystal, M. (TA)
;
Francisco Pugliese, J. (TA)
;
Haberman, A. (TA)
;
He, C. (TA)
;
Lennie, M. (TA)
;
Love, S. (TA)
;
Tyger, E. (TA)
;
Yan, N. (TA)
ECON 102B: Applied Econometrics
Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals for population variances, chi-squared goodness-of-fit tests, hypothesis tests for independence, simple linear regression model, testing regression parameters, prediction, multiple regression, omitted variable bias, multicollinearity, F-tests, regression with indicator random variables, simultaneous equation models and instrumental variables. Topics vary slightly depending on the quarter. Prerequisites:
Econ 102A or equivalent. Recommended: computer experience (course often uses STATA software to run regressions).
Terms: Win, Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SI
Instructors:
McKeon, S. (PI)
;
Francisco Pugliese, J. (TA)
;
Huang, Z. (TA)
...
more instructors for ECON 102B »
Instructors:
McKeon, S. (PI)
;
Francisco Pugliese, J. (TA)
;
Huang, Z. (TA)
;
Walter, J. (TA)
;
Warnick, M. (TA)
;
Yan, N. (TA)
ECON 102C: Advanced Topics in Econometrics
This is an advanced econometrics class targeted to students who want to go deeper into and/or expand their knowledge of topics firstly learned in
Econ 102B (or equivalent class). Topics include: Instrumental variables estimation; Panel data models (fixed and random effect models, dynamic panel data models); Limited dependent variable models (probit, logit, Tobit) and selection models; models for Duration data; Bootstrap and Estimation by Simulation. Applications from Labor Economics and Public Finance will be used to motivate the discussion. Prerequisite:
Econ 102B
Terms: Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SI
Instructors:
Pistaferri, L. (PI)
;
Bonney, J. (TA)
ECON 102D: Econometric Methods for Public Policy Analysis and Business Decision-Making
This course focuses on the use of econometric methods in public policy analysis and business decision-making. Building on methods taught in Economics 102A and 102B, additional descriptive, predictive and causal econometric modeling methods will be introduced along with the assumptions required for the validity of each methodology. Methods for designing randomized controlled trials (RCT) and analyzing the resulting data will be discussed. The methods for recovering economically meaningful magnitudes such as price elasticities of demand and other behavioral responses from observational data will be discussed. Both classical econometric methods and modern techniques in machine learning will be employed. The class will be taught using the R programming language. Students will perform both in-class and out-of-class assignments working with actual datasets to address policy-relevant decisions and simulation exercises designed to deepen their knowledge of these methods. Prerequisites:
Econ102A,
Econ102B
Last offered: Autumn 2020
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR
ECON 118: Development Economics
The microeconomic problems and policy concerns of less developed countries. Topics include: health and education; risk and insurance; microfinance; agriculture; technology; governance. Emphasis is on economic models and empirical evidence. Prerequisites:
ECON 50,
ECON 102B.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-AQR
ECON 125: Economic Development, Microfinance, and Social Networks
An introduction to the study of the financial lives of households in less developed countries, focusing on savings, credit, informal insurance, the expansion of microfinance, social learning, public finance/redistribution, and social networks. Prerequisites-
Econ 51 or
Publpol 51 and
Econ 102B.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI, WAY-AQR, GER:EC-GlobalCom
Instructors:
Chandrasekhar, A. (PI)
ECON 137: Decision Modeling and Information
Effective decision models consider a decision maker's alternatives, information and preferences. The construction of such models in single-party situations with emphasis on the role of information. The course then evolves to two-party decision situations where one party has more information than the other. Models examined include: bidding exercises and the winner's curse, the Akerlof Model and adverse selection, the Principal-Agent model and risk sharing, moral hazard and contract design. Prerequisite:
ECON 102A or equivalent. Recommended:
Econ 50, Optimization and simulation in Excel.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-FR, WAY-AQR
Instructors:
McKeon, S. (PI)
ECON 144: Family and Society
The family into which a child is born plays a powerful role in determining lifetime opportunities. This course will apply tools from economics and related social sciences to study how the functioning of families is shaped by laws, social insurance, social norms, and technology. Topics will include intergenerational transmission of wealth and health, the importance of the early family environment, partnership formation, cohabitation and marriage, teen pregnancy and contraception, assisted reproduction, Tiger Moms and Helicopter Parenting, and the employment effects of parenthood. In the context of these topics, the course will cover social science empirical methods, including regression analysis, causal inference, and quasi-experimental methods. Throughout the course, we will think critically about the role of the government and how the design of public policy targeting families affect our ability to solve some of the most important social and economic problems of our time. Prerequisites:
Econ 50
Terms: Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SI
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