FACULTY & STUDENT RESOURCES
Environmental Courses
Economics
Economics 980g. Topics in Economic Development 3368
M. Kremer, M. Schündeln Spring Th 4:00-6:00
Recent research on economic development. Social service delivery in health
and education. Industrial sector. Goal is to enable students to identify
research topics in economic development, learn how to define and analyze a
problem. Emphasis on modeling and econometric techniques. Topics include
returns to human capital, incentives on education, school choice, health
service contracting, R&D. Firm related: business environment and firm
responses, industry dynamics, effect of trade, FDI on productivity, wages.
Economics 1026. The Economics of Climate Change – (New Course) 9468
M. Weitzman Spring M, W 1:00-2:30; weekly section F 1:00-2:30
Prerequisite: Economics 1011a, 1011b, and Statistics 100.
Advanced upper level course. Requires strong background in economic
theory, mathematics, and statistics. Develops optimal control theory
and modern cost-benefit analysis. Primary application is environmental
economics especially climate change.
Economics 1320. The Latin American Economy 2454
B. Armendariz Fall T, Th 11:30-1:00
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a or 1011a. Prior knowledge of economic
development and international finance would be an advantage.
Economic analysis of historical episodes that have shaped recent
development strategies in the region. Focuses on the determinants of growth
and income inequality, volatile financial markets, and rapid urbanization.
Analyzes country-specific experiences to evaluate stabilization, trade,
regulation, poverty alleviation, and environmental policies.
Economics 1341. The Historical Origins of Middle Eastern Development – (New Course) 9328
E. Chaney Spring T, Th 10:00-11:30
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10.
Middle Eastern countries enjoyed world economic leadership during the
Middle Ages, and continue to play an important role in the world economy.
This course will explore the historical development of Middle Eastern
economies. Topics include the effects of colonialism, natural resource
endowments and religion on economic growth. The course will emphasize
how these and other historical factors continue to influence development
prospects in the region today.
Economics 1393. Poverty and Development 6516
N. Nunn Spring M, W 1:00–2:30
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a (or 1011a) and 1010b or (1011b).
Studies the relationship between economic growth, poverty, and income distribution. Discusses how globalization affects poverty and inequality. Studies the main theories of economic growth and the main potential sources of economic development, from physical capital accumulation, to education, to technology, to the role of government. Discusses various global issues such as public global health (e.g., the impact of malaria and AIDS on Africa), corruption and institutions, natural resources, the environment, international donor institutions, and population growth.
Economics 1400. The Contents of Globalization: Issues, Actors, and Decisions 5906
L. Summers, L. Pritchett Spring T, Th 11:30-1:00
Course will cover the economics and politics of globalization across an array of topics: international trade, development assistance, international financial flows, global warming, immigration/labor mobility, foreign investment. Within each topic we will discuss three elements: what are the important issues, illuminating the economic analytics crucial to understanding the topic; who plays a role in each of the issues to understand the motivations and constraints facing the actors engaged in globalization. Note: Jointly offered with the Kennedy School as ITF-225.
Economics 1661. Environmental and Resource Economics and Policy 2115
R. Stavins Spring M, W 1:00-2:30; with optional review section F 1:00-2:30
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10 or permission of instructor.
Provides a survey, from the perspective of economics, of environmental and natural resource policy. Combines lectures on conceptual and methodological topics with examinations of public policy issues. Topics include principles of environmental and resource economics, nonrenewable resources (minerals and energy), renewable resources (water, forests, land, fisheries), air pollution (stationary and mobile sources, acid rain, and global climate change), water pollution (point and nonpoint sources), waste management, and sustainable development and political aspects of environmental policy. Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-135.
Economics 1818. Economics of Discontinuous Change 3029
R. Freeman Spring T, Th 1:00-2:00
Explores discontinuous changes in the economic position of groups and countries and presents mathematical and computer simulation models designed to illuminate these changes. Examples include growth/decline of trade unions, segregation of groups, development of linkages on the internet, changes in corporate work culture, growth of social pathologies in neighborhoods, and Malthusian concerns about the environment. Models include nonlinear simulations, neural networks, finite automata, evolutionary stable strategies, causal conjunctures, agent-based simulations, and genetic algorithms. Note: A research paper is required. Students should have some mathematical background, but there is no prerequisite.
Economics 2680. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 6529
M. Weitzman Fall M, W 1:00-2:30
Prerequisite: Graduate price theory at level of 2010 or 2020
Basic theory and models, including externalities, common property, instruments for controlling pollution; applications of optimal control theory to renewable and non-renewable resources; analysis of cost-benefit, discounting, uncertainty and environmental accounting; “sustainability,” and biodiversity preservation.
*Economics 2690hf. Environmental Economics and Policy Seminar 4324
R. Stavins, M. Weitzman Fall and Spring W 4:00–5:30
Prerequisite: Graduate-level course in microeconomic theory.
Selected topics in environmental and resource economics. Emphasizes theoretical models, quantitative empirical analysis, and public policy applications. Includes invited outside speakers. Note: Primarily for graduate students in economics or related fields with environmental interests. Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-905.
*Economics 3680hf. Research in Environmental Economics 1227
R. Stavins Fall and Spring F 12:00–1:30
Participants discuss recent research in environmental and natural resource economics and present their own work in progress. Note: Open to doctoral students only.
24 Oxford Street