Contemporary Problems in Economics
Syllabus for ECON 3438-1010 for Winter Intersession 2009-2010

This syllabus is continually updated.

Assignments (Click here for details.)

Required Texts

• Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Economic Issues by Frank J. Bonello and Isobel Lobo, Paperback, 384 pages. Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 14th Edition (2010).

• We will also draw on articles from The Economist magazine and from online sources.

Summary

This course considers an array of leading contemporary economic problems, with specific topics chosen from current and recent policy debates. The idea is to help you learn to think critically about pressing issues, utilizing economic reasoning, theory, and principles. Because the course focuses on current economic issues, students will be asked to supplement the textbook with readings from newspapers, magazines, and the internet.   

Official Prerequisites
ECON 2201 and 2202 (one of which may be taken concurrently). Recommended preparation: One of: MATH 1071Q, 1121Q, 1131Q, 1110Q, or 1151Q.

Organization and Grading

Five lectures per week. Grades are based upon a mid-term and a final exam (50% each). 

POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Below is a proposed list of topics. I do not want to make this a formal schedule because I want us to be able to introduce topics as they arise in the news. This may mean introducing new topics or shifting the order of the topics we have already chosen.

Plan on changes to this list!

1. Ideology, Worldview, and Policy

2. Minimum Wage Laws 

3. Recent Economic Downturn, Crisis, Recession

4. President Obama's Policies

6. Crisis in the Housing Market

8. Globalization

9. Health Care and Health Care Reform

10. Social Security Reform

11. Phillips Curve

12. Sticky Prices and Wages