Economics of Inequality and Discrimination (331-0-20)

Instructors

Jonathan E Guryan

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall 345: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

The gap between rich and poor is significantly larger in the United States than it was 40 years ago. In this course we explore why this may have happened and what policies have been attempted to address the causes and consequences of inequality. We will investigate these questions through the lens of economics, and will learn fundamental economic concepts as a way to answer these questions. The first part of the course will begin with a discussion about what inequality is and how to measure it. We will discuss how inequality in earnings, wealth, and wellbeing have changed in the U.S. over time, and will talk about various economic theories to explain these changes. The second part of the course will explore policies designed to address the causes and consequences of inequality. We will also learn about fundamental economic concepts - including opportunity cost, comparative advantage, supply and demand, human capital, and individual responses to incentives - as a way to critically examine the effectiveness of these policies. The final part of the course will focus specifically on inequality along race and gender lines, with some attention to whether these differences are the result of discrimination. We will also explore how economic thinking can help us analyze policies designed to address past and present discrimination.

Evaluation Method

Lecture and in-class discussion; problem sets, written policy briefs, midterm, exam

Class Materials (Required)

Ehrenberg & Smith, Modern Labor Economics; Goldin & Katz, The Race Between Education and Technology

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Students must have completed ECON 202 or SESP 210 to register for this course.