Teaching

This course exposes students to emerging issues in the economics of global health. By integrating economic theory and recent empirical work using detailed survey data and field experiments, we analyze problems facing developing populations and policies aimed at their solutions. We consider extreme poverty and hunger, child mortality, health care delivery and provider quality, and the relationship between income, poverty, and health. Attention will also be given to global health policy and empirical evidence on the success and failure of policies that target maternal and infant health, anemia, HIV, and malaria. This course relies heavily on applying concepts covered in statistics, econometrics, and intermediate microeconomics to reading, discussing, and conducting empirical research.

We focus on causality throughout. We begin by reviewing the linear regression model with a number of simplifying conditions that lead to very nice statistical properties – unbiasedness and efficiency. We then proceed to investigate econometric analyses when the conditions do not hold and learn techniques developed to handle various types of real-world issues.

Econometrics requires developing and implementing a wide skill set: mathematics, statistics, economic theory, computer programming, writing, and (perhaps most of all) intuitive sense. Be prepared for an engaging and rigorous semester.

An examination of current economic issues faced by developing countries and an introduction to the study of development economics. Topics covered in detail include the concepts and measurement of economic development; human capital over the life course; gender and household decision-making; microcredit and insurance; environmental quality and development; debates over the effectiveness of foreign aid; and international migration. For each topic, we seek to understand the factors and constraints influencing economic decision-making in developing countries.

An exploration of the historical path, current position, and future prospects of the Chinese economy. This course examines the dynamics of China’s recent economic success and draws on economic analysis and recent research to understand current policy questions related to China and its role in the global economy. Students will engage with pressing policy issues through readings, debates, written assignments, case studies, and in-class discussions. Specific topics include Chinese monetary and trade policy, population change and the environment, science and technology policy, migration and the rural-urban divide, and the sustainability of China’s growth.

At the end of the course students should have a deep understanding of the historical path China traveled to its position today, and the pressing issues it faces on the horizon.