Economic Policy Analysis
This course is no longer being offered.
Course Description
This course focuses on the role of economics in the formulation, implementation and assessment of public policy in the United States. By making use of quantitative and qualitative data sources, and through the application of basic economic and statistical tools, students will be trained to analyze and think critically about policy issues.
Abortion; Environmental Issues; Same-Sex Marriage; Health; Crime; Education; Gun Control; Affirmative Action; Taxes; Social Security; Fertility and Population; the bread and butter of U.S. policy makers.
The public policy process involves the interaction of numerous individuals and interest groups competing to persuade policy makers. This course focuses on the role of economics in the formulation, implementation and assessment of public policy in the United States. By making use of quantitative and qualitative information sources, and through the application of basic economic and statistical tools, students will be trained to analyze and think critically about policy issues.
The aim of this course is to inform students of contemporary policy issues in the United States and provide them with a basic set of theoretical and empirical tools that can be applied in the evaluation of various government policies.
By the end of this course, students will:
* Further understand contemporary policy issues in the United States.
* Apply theoretical and empirical economic tools in formulating and assessing public policy.
* Learn how to display and interpret quantitative and qualitative data by making use of summary measures, tables and graphs.
* Communicate economic policy analysis to a broad audience through oral and written channels.