ECON 260 - Current Economics Issues

The purpose of this class is to look at a variety of markets using three perspectives: theoretical (economic models and theories to explain behaviors), empirical (research that tests these theories), and political (policies to address issues). Topics vary depending on the interest of students and real world economic events of the time. For example, the topic of oil prices and world energy supply and demand would be discussed in most years. Other current topics might also include the subprime mortgage crisis, trends in the Federal Reserve’s discount rate, Social Security or outsourcing of jobs. The class will be an informal presentation and discussion of selected topics. Lectures will present economic models and theories while students’ research, presentations and papers will incorporate more of the empirical and policy material. Prerequisite: C- or better in ECON 110. Summer only. Not offered 2018-2019 (Group I)