Special Topics Courses in Economics
Following are graduate-level Special Topics [590 and 790] courses offered in the graduate economics program. Please visit Registration and Records to determine which of these courses will be offered during the current semester.
ECG 790A Corporate Finance
This course will build on some of the material covered in ECG 702. We will likely use Tirole's "The Theory of Corporate Finance" text (we will cover a few chapters). There will be no exams, but students will be asked to present one or two papers from the reading list, and also present an original idea/paper (perhaps a thesis topic) near the end of the semester. Depending on enrollment, students may work in pairs. If students need more information, they should not hesitate to contact me. Updates and the syllabus will eventually be posted online: http://ecg790.tsoulouhas.info I look forward to talking to all interested students.
EC 790D Advanced Topics in Microeconometrics
The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with contemporary econometric techniques that have widespread applicability in empirical microeconomics. Applied researchers in fields such as industrial organization, labor, environmental and resource, transportation, and development economics increasingly rely on agent level data and structural models for inference and prediction. Standard linear models and estimation techniques are not well suited for these types of problems. In their place a variety of limited dependent variable, qualitative choice, and mixed continuous/discrete choice models and estimation techniques have become standard fare. Knowledge of these techniques is critical for conducting applied research in most areas of contemporary applied microeconomics.
In this class we will study a spectrum of econometric models suitable for micro level data. The primary emphasis will be on gaining an intuitive grasp of how these models work and what is needed to implement them for applied research. I do not plan to spend much time on formal proofs. Rather, we will use informal simulation experiments, case studies, and applied homework assignments to examine the working properties of the models. A secondary emphasis for the class will be the link between microeconomic theory and model specification and estimation. As such there will be a strong emphasis on structural models throughout.
ECG 590B Introduction to Derivatives
This course will introduce students to markets for derivative assets (futures, options, swaps) and to basic methods for pricing derivative assets. It will also cover how derivative assets are used to hedge outstanding market positions and to manage risk. The course will cover financial (stock and interest rate) based assets as well as commodity based assets. The course will spend some time discussing the varieties of exotic options available and will also develop a general framework for understanding derivative assets. Students should be familiar with college level calculus but knowledge of differential equations will NOT be assumed.
ECG 590A Labor Economics
This is a Master’s level survey course in the field of Labor Economics. We will cover topics in labor economics such as labor supply, labor demand, market distortions, human capital, household production, discrimination, and immigration. The course textbook will be supplemented with readings from academic research papers. Students will learn how empirical research evaluates the predictions of economic theory and the impact of public policy. We will discuss the obstacles facing empirical researchers and the tools that have been developed to overcome these obstacles. Students will gain an understanding of how to read and critique empirical research by applying the theory and measurement techniques developed by labor economists.
ECG 590X Public Finance
A micro-economic analysis of the rationale for public expenditure and taxation. Externalities, pollution and public policy, income redistribution and public welfare, public goods, collective choice and political institutions, public budgeting techniques and cost-benefit analysis, taxation and tax policy, state-local finance and fiscal federalism.
EC 590Y Competition, Monopoly and Public Policy
Current theories of industrial organization with specific reference to such topics as cartels, industrial concentration, vertical integration, franchise contracts, ownership and control of firms, multipart and discriminatory pricing, and tie-in sales. Economic aspects of antitrust law and government regulation of industry.
ECG 590I Asset Pricing
This course is an introduction to the pricing of assets. The emphasis is on the mathematical methods used to derive pricing formulas, but there will also be some time devoted to explaining the major types of paper assets (options and other derivatives) that can be priced with those methods.
ECG 590Z U.S. Agricultural Policy
Government economic policies and programs affecting agricultural inputs and farm products. Analysis of the rationale, objectives, and major types of agricultural programs and their effects on resource allocation and income distribution within agriculture and between agriculture and the rest of the economy.