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Analytic Methods for Public Policy Analysis (336-0-20)

Instructors

Charles Manski

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L07: Mon, Wed, Fri 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

An important practical objective of empirical economic research is to predict the consequences of alternative public policies. Economists combine data with assumptions to draw conclusions about policy impacts. The strength and credibility of these conclusions depend on the data and assumptions brought to bear, as well as on the analytical methods used. This course will study basic methodological problems in policy analysis and examine how economists perform policy analysis in practice. The methodological discussion will place special emphasis on problems of extrapolation that arise whenever one attempts to evaluate policies that differ from the status quo. The discussion of practice will examine actual research analyzing a range of policy questions.

Registration Requirements

Economics 310-1 and 381, or their equivalents

Class Materials (Required)

1. Identification for Prediction and Decision by C. Manski, 2007 (ISBN: 978-0674026537). 2. Patient Care under Uncertainty by C. Manski 2019 (ISBN-13 : 978-0691194738)

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-requisite: Students must have taken ECON 310-1 or MMSS 211-1 and ECON 281 or ECON 381-1 or MATH 386-1 or IEMS 304 or STAT 350 to successfully enroll in this course.