Economics of Wealth and Poverty
ECON 213
Fall 2011 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 274 |
| Certificates: Civic Engagement |
Who are the very wealthy and how do they acquire their wealth? Why is poverty still with us after almost 50 years of antipoverty programs? What explains rising inequality in the distribution of income and wealth? These are just a few of the questions that we address in this course. The problem of scarcity and the question of production for whom are basic to the study of economics. Virtually all courses in economics give some attention to this topic, yet few study the distribution of income in-depth. This course takes a close look at evidence on the existing distribution of income and examines the market and nonmarket forces behind the allocation process. Our investigation makes use of U.S. economic history, cross-country comparisons, and fundamental tools of economic analysis. Topics include normative debates surrounding the notions of equality and inequality, analytic tools for measuring and explaining income inequality, determinants of wage income and property income, the importance of inheritance, the feminization of poverty, and the economic analysis of racial discrimination. A central subject throughout the course is the role of policy in altering the level of poverty and inequality. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS ECON |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: ECON101 OR ECON110 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (AMST)(CIVI-MN)(ECON-MN)(ECON)(EDST-MN)(EDST)(HRAD-MN) |
Major Readings:
Wolff, TOP HEAVY: THE INCREASING INEQUALITY OF WEALTH
Wolff, ECONOMICS OF POVERTY, INEQUALITY, AND DISCRIMINATION
Sen, Amartya, INEQUALITY RE-EXAMINED
Atkinson, ECONOMICS OF INEQUALITY
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Examinations and Assignments:
One in-class exam on central concepts and several short writing assignments leading up to the final project. All students will conduct an empirical analysis of a course-related topic, present preliminary results to the class, and submit a final term paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions. Prompt submission of papers or assignments: no unexcused absences. Please note that if you do not match the prerequisite exactly, then you need a prerequisite override. |
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