Race, Ethnicity, and Economic Disparity (FYS)
ECON 108F
Fall 2022
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01
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This seminar explores the following questions: (1) How do economists explain economic disparity by race, ethnicity, and gender? (2) What policies follow from those explanations? The course devotes particular attention to the interplay among market forces, institutional structures, and the social constructs of race. Market outcomes by ethnicity, gender, and gender identity form another central line of inquiry. In the process of studying these topics, students investigate markets for labor, housing, and financial assets. Students will learn economists' methods for analyzing these markets. The seminar includes a strong writing component with assignments that emphasize writing for the social sciences. While exploring approaches used by economists, the seminar also introduces students to central debates within the discipline. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS ECON |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 | | Special Attributes: FYS |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
A complete list will be available before the semester begins. Please wait for instructions before purchasing any items for this course. Brief excerpts will be drawn from several of the following texts with library and electronic access available for most readings.
Alexander. The New Jim Crow.
Blau & Winkler. The Economics of Women, Men and Work.
Borjas. We Wanted Workers: Unraveling the Immigration Narrative
Darity. From Here to Equality and Persistent Disparity.
Jaynes. Branches Without Roots: Genesis of the Black Working Class in the American South. Malvaeaux.Unfinished Business: The 10 Most Important Issues Women Face Today.
Portes, Alejandro. Immigrant America.
Rumbauf & Portes. Ethnicities and Legacies: The Story of the Immigrant 2nd Generation.
Rothstein. The Color of Law
Sawhill. Forgotten Americans: An Economic Agenda for a Divided Nation.
Weil. The Fissured Workplace: Why Work Became So Bad for So Many and What Can Be Done
Wilkerson. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.
Wolff. Inheriting Wealth in America and Poverty and Income Distribution
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Examinations and Assignments:
Two quizzes.
Assignments: Four 5-page papers. (After feedback, some papers may be eligible for a rewrite and an upgraded score.) One class presentation. (Small group presentations are encouraged, but individual presentations are also welcome.) |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course emphasizes writing for the social sciences. It will require four, five-page papers, and it will offer opportunities for rewrites of those papers after feedback is provided |
| Instructor(s): Rayack,Wendy Times: ..T.R.. 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: FISK305; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: X | JR major: X | | |
| Seats Available: -3 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 15 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 2 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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