ECON 457(F) Public Economics Research Seminar
In this class, students will learn how to read, critically evaluate, and begin to produce economic research on important and interesting public policy questions.
Applications will be drawn from across the spectrum of public economics issues
and may vary from year to year. Examples of specific topics that may be covered
include education, taxation, social security, saving behavior, labor supply, anti-
poverty policy, health, fiscal policy, political economy, and the economics of
crime and corruption. The course will especially emphasize the critical analysis
of empirical evidence on public policy questions. There will be a mix of lecture,
seminar discussion, and time in a computer lab learning to work with data and
estimate econometric models.
Format: seminar. Requirements will include a 15- to 20-page research paper
(written in stages), a small number of other short written assignments, and a
midterm.
Prerequisites: Economics 253 or 255 or the equivalent. Economics 251, and
Economics 120. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). Preference will be given to
senior Economics majors.