Fall 2009 Graduate Courses

General Economics; Economic Theory; History of Economics

Economics 2001. The Behavioral & Experimental Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 8732
David I. Laibson (fall term), Edward L. Glaeser, Sendhil Mullainathan, and Alvin E. Roth (FAS, Business School)
Full course (indivisible). Tu., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
Presents current research in the Behavioral and Experimental Economics field.

*Economics 2010a. Economic Theory
Catalog Number: 8656
Edward L. Glaeser and Drew Fudenberg
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30, and a 90-minute weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Covers the theory of individual and group behavior. Topics include consumer theory, producer theory, behavior under uncertainty, externalities, monopolistic distortions, game theory, oligopolistic behavior, and asymmetric information.
Note: Enrollment is limited to students in the economics and business economics PhD programs.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 116 or equivalent; can be taken concurrently.

Economics 2010c. Economic Theory
Catalog Number: 4431
David I. Laibson and Robert J. Barro
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 1–2:30, and a 90-minute weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
Topics include discrete-time and continuous-time dynamic programming, consumption, investment, economic growth, and business cycles.
Note: Enrollment is strictly limited to PhD students in the Economics Department, Business Economics program, and PEG program. Qualified Harvard undergraduates may also enroll. No other students may take the course for credit or as auditors.

*Economics 2020a. Microeconomic Theory I
Catalog Number: 0339 Enrollment: Limited to 102.
Christopher N. Avery (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term). M., W., at 8:30-10 a.m. and a weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 1, 2
A comprehensive course in economic theory designed for doctoral students in all parts of the University. Consumption, production, uncertainty, markets, general equilibrium. Applications to policy analysis and business decisions. Emphasizes the use of economic theory in practical research.
Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-111 and with the Business School as 4010.
Prerequisite: Two years of calculus and one course in probability theory. Thorough background in microeconomic theory at the intermediate level. Undergraduates with the appropriate background are welcome.

Economics 2030. Psychology and Economics
Catalog Number: 3828
Sendhil Mullainathan
Half course (fall term). F., 1–3. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Explores economic and psychological models of human behavior. Theoretical topics include bounded rationality, intertemporal choice, decision making under uncertainty, inference, choice heuristics, and social preferences. Economic applications include asset pricing, corporate finance, macroeconomics, labor, development, and industrial organization.
Note: Primarily for graduate students but open to undergraduates.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of multivariable calculus and econometrics.

Economics 2056a (formerly Economics 2056). Market Design
Catalog Number: 3634
Alvin E. Roth (FAS, Business School), and Peter A. Coles (Business School)
Half course (fall term). F., 9–12. EXAM GROUP: 2, 3, 4
Deals with the theory and practice of market design, with prominent examples drawn from auctions, labor markets, school choice, and kidney exchange.
Note: Open to undergraduates with permission of the instructors. Offered jointly with the Business School as 4150.
Prerequisite: Game theory.

Economics 2060. Contract Theory
Catalog Number: 1404
Philippe Aghion
Half course (fall term). M., W., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 4, 5
Recent developments in contract theory. Includes hidden action and hidden information models, dynamic agency issues, incomplete contracts, and applications of contract theory to theories of the firm and corporate financial structure.

Economics 2085. Economics of Inequality and Poverty - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 16767 Enrollment: Limited to 25.
Amartya Sen and Anthony B. Atkinson (Oxford University)
Half course (fall term). Tu., 1–3. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
A general course on the evaluation and axiomatic measurement of inequality and poverty, and on the analysis of contemporary economic problems in that light.
Note: First class meeting will be September 8.

*Economics 2086. The Theory Workshop
Catalog Number: 6378
Drew Fudenberg, Susan Athey, Markus M. Möbius, Tomasz Strzalecki, and Alvin E. Roth
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Th., 4–6. EXAM GROUP: 18
For students with an interest in economic theory. Faculty presentations by Harvard and MIT economists and invited guests. The location alternates between Harvard and MIT.

Econometrics and Quantitative Methods

Economics 2110. Introductory Probability and Statistics for Economists
Catalog Number: 7213
Rustam Ibragimov
Half course (fall term). M., W., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4
Introduction to probability and statistics. Emphasis on general methods applicable to both econometrics and economic theory. Topics include probability spaces, random variables, limit laws, estimation, hypothesis testing, and Bayesian methods.
Prerequisite: Statistics (Stat 100), Linear Algebra and Calculus (Math 21a and 21b), and Real Analysis (Math 112).

Economics 2140. Econometric Methods
Catalog Number: 7210
Guido W. Imbens
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
Econometric methods for cross-section and panel data. Topics include generalized method of moments, empirical likelihood, instrumental variables, bootstrapping, clustering, treatment effects, selection bias, difference-in-differences, qualitative choice, quantile regression, nonparametric methods, and semiparametric methods.
Prerequisite: Economics 2120 or equivalent.

Economics 2142. Time Series Analysis
Catalog Number: 4414
James H. Stock and Rustam Ibragimov
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 8:30–10. EXAM GROUP: 10, 11
A survey of modern time series econometrics. Topics include univariate models, vector autoregressions, linear and nonlinear filtering, frequency domain methods, unit roots, structural breaks, empirical process theory asymptotics, forecasting, and applications to macroeconomics and finance.

Economics 2162. The Econometrics Workshop
Catalog Number: 2372
Guido W. Imbens, Alberto Abadie (Kennedy School), Gary Chamberlain, Rustam Ibragimov, Dale W. Jorgenson (spring term), and James H. Stock
Full course. Th., 4:30–6. EXAM GROUP: 18
Current research topics in theory and applications of econometrics.

Economic History; Development Economics

Economics 2328. The Emergence of Modern Economic Growth: A Comparative and Historical Analysis
Catalog Number: 9475
James Robinson
Half course (fall term). M., W., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Overview and analysis of comparative economic development during the last half millennia. Examines the emergence of modern economic growth in Europe after 1500, and the forces that led to the great divergence in prosperity in the 19th century. Also considered: colonialism, communism, fascism, and revolution.

Economics 2339. The Economic History Workshop
Catalog Number: 8183
Claudia Goldin (fall term), Eric Chaney, Stanley L. Engerman (spring term), Richard A. Hornbeck, and James Robinson
Full course. F., 2–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Intended for students writing dissertations related to economic history themes and/or methodology and for others with interests in economic history. Discusses research papers presented by scholars at Harvard and elsewhere.

Economics 2390b. Development Economics I: Microeconomic Issues
Catalog Number: 2990
Sendhil Mullainathan and Richard A. Hornbeck
Half course (fall term). F., 9–12. EXAM GROUP: 2, 3, 4
Topics include agricultural issues such as peasant behavior, land tenancy, interlinked markets; credit and insurance market problems and institutions; health, nutrition, and productivity; gender bias; education; and technology adoption.

Economics 2390d. The Economic Growth and Development Workshop
Catalog Number: 1926
Sendhil Mullainathan, Philippe Aghion, Rema Hanna (Kennedy School) Asim I. Khwaja (Kennedy School), Michael R. Kremer (spring term), and Rohini Pande (Kennedy School)
Full course. Fall: Tu., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: Spring: 7, 8
Fall speakers cover issues in growth and development. Spring speakers alternate between “growth and institutions,” focusing on the macro aspects of growth and development, and “labor and development,” focusing on the micro aspects.

Monetary and Fiscal Theory and Policy; Public Sector Economics

Economics 2410g. Political Economics
Catalog Number: 6758
Alberto F. Alesina
Half course (fall term). Th., 4–6. EXAM GROUP: 18
Discusses several research areas in political economy, including the origins of the state, comparative political systems, theories of economic reform, fiscal problems in democracies, rule of law, privatization, regulation, and elections and the economy.

Economics 2420. Monetary and Fiscal Policy Seminar
Catalog Number: 5946
Robert J. Barro, Philippe Aghion, Alberto F. Alesina, Emmanuel Farhi, Benjamin M. Friedman, David I. Laibson, and N. Gregory Mankiw
Full course. M., 2–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Seminar speakers present papers on macroeconomic topics, including issues relating to monetary and fiscal policies, economic growth, the role of institutions, and other research issues in the field.

Economics 2450a. Public Economics and Fiscal Policy I
Catalog Number: 1339
Nadarajan Chetty
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 6-7:30 p.m., (F.), 3-4:30. EXAM GROUP: 8, 9, 18
This course covers basic issues in the optimal design of tax and social insurance policies, with emphasis on combining theoretical models with empirical evidence. Topics include efficiency costs and incidence of taxation, income taxation, transfer and welfare programs, public goods and externalities, optimal social insurance, and welfare analysis in behavioral models.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a and 2010b or Economics 2020a and 2020b.

Economics 2480. The Public Economics and Fiscal Policy Workshop
Catalog Number: 6834
Nadarajan Chetty, David M. Cutler, and Martin Feldstein
Full course. M., 4–6. EXAM GROUP: 9
Invited speakers present theoretical and empirical research on a broad range of topics related to the design of government policy.

International Economics

Economics 2530a. International Trade
Catalog Number: 4537
Elhanan Helpman
Half course (fall term). M., W., 8:30–10. EXAM GROUP: 1, 2
Provides a broad overview of theory and evidence concerning international trade, direct foreign investment, and trade policy.
Note: Strongly recommended as preparation for Economics 2530b. Open to undergraduates only with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a and 2010b.

Economics 2540. The International Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 4008
Kenneth Rogoff and members of the department.
Full course. W., 4–6. EXAM GROUP: 9
Research papers in all aspects of international economics, including theory, econometrics, and policy.

Industrial Organization and Regulation; Environmental Economics

Economics 2610. Industrial Organization I
Catalog Number: 3766
Ariel Pakes
Half course (fall term). M., W., 1–2:30. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Applied work in industrial organization. Static analysis (theory, estimation): demand systems, cost functions, and game theoretic concepts of equilibrium and their application. Dynamic analysis (theory, computation, estimation): single agent problems, dynamic games and their application.

*Economics 2640hf. The Industrial Organization Workshop
Catalog Number: 5981
Julie H. Mortimer (spring term), Ariel Pakes (fall term), Susan Athey, and Ulrich Doraszelski
Half course (throughout the year). M., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8

Economics 2665. The Economics of Organizations Workshop
Catalog Number: 9819
Oliver S. Hart and George Pierce Baker (Business School)
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Th., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: Spring: 16, 17
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4230.

*Economics 2690hf. Environmental Economics and Policy Seminar
Catalog Number: 4324
Robert N. Stavins (Kennedy School) and Martin L. Weitzman
Half course (throughout the year). W., 4–5:30. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 9
Selected topics in environmental and resource economics. Emphasizes theoretical models, quantitative empirical analysis, and public policy applications. Includes invited outside speakers.
Note: Primarily for graduate students in economics or related fields with environmental interests. Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as API-905Y.
Prerequisite: Graduate-level course in microeconomic theory.

Financial Economics

Economics 2723. Asset Pricing I
Catalog Number: 2847
John Y. Campbell
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
An introduction to financial economics emphasizing discrete-time models and empirical applications. Reviews basic asset pricing theory. Discusses empirical topics including predictability of stock and bond returns, the equity premium puzzle, and intertemporal equilibrium models.
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4209.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a or 2020a, or permission of instructor.

*Economics 2770hf. The Financial Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 1379
Efraim Benmelech, John Y. Campbell, and Jeremy C. Stein
Half course (throughout the year). W., 4–5:30. EXAM GROUP: 9

Labor, Human Resources, and Income Distribution; Urban Economics

Economics 2810a. Labor Market Analysis
Catalog Number: 4862
Lawrence F. Katz
Half course (fall term). M., W., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4
Theoretical and empirical research on labor markets. Wage determination covers equalizing differences, human capital, job mobility, and incentive models. Labor supply covers life-cycle models. Labor demand includes minimum wage and union models.

Economics 2812. The Labor Economics Workshop
Catalog Number: 0230
Lawrence F. Katz, Richard B. Freeman, and Roland G. Fryer
Full course. W., 4–5:30. EXAM GROUP: 9
Focuses on research concerning the operation of labor markets.

Economics 2888r (formerly Economics 2888hf). Economics of Science and Engineering Workshop
Catalog Number: 6311
Richard B. Freeman
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). F., 12–1:30. EXAM GROUP: 5, 6
Focus on work force and career issues. Topics include: Effects of globalization on work force and innovation, growth of networks in work; impact of career incentives on productivity; university policies; mobility between academe and industry; link between ideas and outputs.
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4245.

Graduate Courses of Reading and Research

*Economics 3000. Research Paper
Catalog Number: 4174
Members of the Department
Intended to fulfill the Research Paper Requirement for the PhD degree in Economics. Ordinarily, this course is taken during the spring term of the second year of graduate study.

*Economics 3005. Reading and Research
Catalog Number: 3493
Members of the Department
Individual work or work in small groups (with a professor or lecturer in residence) in preparation for the general examination for the PhD degree, or work on special topics not included in course offerings.

*Economics 3010. Direction of Doctoral Dissertations
Catalog Number: 4579
Members of the Department
Note: In all cases, the dissertation topic must have been formally submitted to, and approved by, a dissertation adviser.

*Economics 3011. Research in Behavior in Games and Markets
Catalog Number: 0109
Attila Ambrus 4665, Drew Fudenberg 3460, Jerry R. Green 1539, David I. Laibson 1241, Markus M. Möbius 3441, and Alvin E. Roth 564
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). W., 11:30–1.
Serves mainly as a forum for presentations by graduate students of their current research. Work presented can be very preliminary and conjectural.
Prerequisite: Economics 2010a (or 2020a) and 2010b (or 2020b).

*Economics 3163hf. Research in Econometrics
Catalog Number: 4392
Gary Chamberlain 1745, Rustam Ibragimov 5329, Guido W. Imbens 2671, Dale W. Jorgenson 2000, and James H. Stock 1783
Half course (throughout the year). M., 12–2.
Participants discuss recent research in econometrics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics.

*Economics 3336hf. Research in Economic History
Catalog Number: 0639
Claudia Goldin 2667 (on leave spring term) and Eric Chaney 6129
Half course (throughout the year). M., 4–5:30.
Participants discuss recent research in economic history and present their own work in progress.
Note: Primarily, but not exclusively, for doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.

*Economics 3390hf. Research in Economic Development
Catalog Number: 2532
Michael R. Kremer 2112 (on leave fall term), Erica M. Field 5095 (on leave 2009-10), and Asim I. Khwaja (Kennedy School) 3994
Half course (throughout the year). M., at 12.
Participants discuss recent research in development economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.

*Economics 3410dhf. Research in Macroeconomics
Catalog Number: 2126
Alberto F. Alesina 2074, Robert J. Barro 1612 (on leave spring term), and David I. Laibson 1241 (on leave spring term)
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 11:30–1.
Participants discuss recent research in macroeconomics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.

*Economics 3450chf. Research in Public Economics and Fiscal Policy
Catalog Number: 3436
David M. Cutler 2954, Nadarajan Chetty 6276, Edward L. Glaeser 3219, and Lawrence F. Katz 1480
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 1–2:30.
Participants discuss recent research in public economics and fiscal policy and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.

*Economics 3460chf (formerly *Economics 3460chf). Research in Health Economics
Catalog Number: 5309
Joseph P. Newhouse (Kennedy School, Medical School, Public Health) 2425
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 8–9:30.
Participants discuss recent research in health economics. Course may also include presentation of original research by participants. Open to doctoral students only.

*Economics 3530hf. Research in International Economics
Catalog Number: 5777
Pol Antràs 4666, Richard N. Cooper 7211 (on leave fall term), Gita Gopinath 5042, Elhanan Helpman 2334, and Joseph P. Newhouse (Kennedy School, Medical School, Public Health) 2425
Half course (throughout the year). W., at 12.
Participants discuss recent research in international economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.

*Economics 3650hf. Research in Industrial Organization
Catalog Number: 3318
Susan Athey 5334, Richard E. Caves 1414, Ulrich Doraszelski 5024, Julie H. Mortimer 3993, and Ariel Pakes 1774 (on leave spring term)
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., at 12.
Participants present their own research in progress in an informal setting. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their general examinations and are in the early stages of their dissertations.

*Economics 3660hf. The Law, Economics, and Organizations Workshop
Catalog Number: 4325
Lucian A. Bebchuk (Law School) 2042, Oliver S. Hart 3462, Louis E. Kaplow (Law School) 3223, Joshua Lerner (Business School) 1601, and Andrei Shleifer 2772 (on leave fall term)
Half course (throughout the year). M., 12:30–2.
The presentation of work in progress in the field of law, economics, and organizations. Presentations by members of the various Harvard faculties, outside speakers, and graduate students.
Note: Offered jointly with the Law School as 96250-11 and with the Business School as 4670.

*Economics 3680hf. Research in Environmental Economics
Catalog Number: 1227
Robert N. Stavins (Kennedy School) 2093
Half course (throughout the year). F., 12–1:30.
Participants discuss recent research in environmental and natural resource economics and present their own work in progress.
Note: Open to doctoral students only.

*Economics 3723hf. Research in Financial Economics
Catalog Number: 4107
Efraim Benmelech 5419, John Y. Campbell 1230, and Jeremy C. Stein 3752 (on leave spring term)
Half course (throughout the year). F., 12–1:30.
Participants discuss recent research in financial economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.
Note: Offered jointly with the Business School as 4601.

*Economics 3810chf. Research in Labor Economics
Catalog Number: 4066
Lawrence F. Katz 1480, Roland G. Fryer 5523, Edward L. Glaeser 3219, and Claudia Goldin 2667 (on leave spring term)
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 1–2:30.
Participants discuss recent research in labor economics and present their own work in progress. Open to doctoral students in economics who have passed their oral examinations.