The central theme of much of my research has been trying to understand the details of people's preferences--what people want--both through mathematical theory and surveys data. Within that, the most important area of my current research is on developing national well-being indices and other tools to foster evidence-based government. I also have a broad interest in public policy informed by research, an interest I pursue in the main through my blog: https://blog.supplysideliberal.com/key-posts/ Improving monetary policy has been the single biggest emphasis in my public policy interests: https://blog.supplysideliberal.com/emoney/ This is connected to my other research interest: understanding business cycles. Methodologically, I approach economics from the perspective of cognitive economics: https://blog.supplysideliberal.com/post/107961784445/cognitive-economics
ECON 3080 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2022
Introduces theories of aggregate economic activity including the determination of income, employment, and prices; economic growth; and fluctuations. Macroeconomic policies are explored in both closed and open economy models. ECON 3070 ECON and 3080 may be taken in any order; there is no recommended sequence.
ECON 4060 - Choice Theory and Economic Ethics: Good, Bad and Happiness
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Critiques how economists model and judge behavior. How we judge is contrasted with other moral philosophies. Economists assume individuals behave in their own best interests. What does this mean and is it true? Looks at research from psychology and neuroscience. Quizzes and a multi-step research paper, designed for students who love to question, research, write and rewrite. Recommended prerequisite: ECON 3080.
ECON 8010 - Economics of Risk and Time
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Focuses on new techniques for analyzing behavior in relation to risk and time.
ECON 8020 - Business Cycle Theory and Monetary and Fiscal Policy
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Discusses monetary and non-monetary theories of business cycles in the light of empirical evidence and what those theories imply for monetary and fiscal policy. Emphasizes a deep understanding of the mechanisms within models, their comparative statics and comparative dynamics and the importance of, and evidence for, difference parameter values within business cycle models.
ECON 8219 - Economics Research Methods Workshop 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Continuation of ECON 8209. Assists students starting their doctoral thesis by discussing relevant economic research. Presents and discusses research papers.
