Economics of Wealth and Poverty
ECON 213
Spring 2009
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 274 |
Who are the very wealthy and how do they acquire their wealth? Why is poverty still with us after three decades 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 non-market 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 the following: 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: Seminar | 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) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Wolff, ECONOMICS OF POVERTY, INEQUALITY, AND DISCRIMINATION
Sen, INEQUALITY RE-EXAMINED
Easterly, WHITE MAN'S BURDEN: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill & So Little Good
Blank, WORKING AND POOR: How Economic and Policy Changes Are Affecting Low-Wage Workers
Wolff, TOP HEAVY: THE INCREASING INEQUALITY OF WEALTH
Atkinson, ECONOMICS OF INEQUALITY
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Examinations and Assignments:
This course guides students through the research process with the goal of exploring how to begin an honors project in this area of economics. The seminar requires a major research project based on statistical analysis, a class presentation of preliminary results, and several short (2-4 page) essays on assigned readings. Students offer and receive peer review along with constant feedback from the professor on each stage of the project. Two in-class quizzes test student understanding of basic concepts, but the primary focus of the seminar is research process. |
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 one of the prerequisite listings EXACTLY, then you need a prerequisite override. |
| Instructor(s): Rayack,Wendy Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; Location: PAC107; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 15 | | |
| Seats Available: 4 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 5 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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