Abstract: Develops facility with concepts, language, and analytical tools of economics. Covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international trade and payments. Emphasizes integration of theory, data, and judgment in the analysis of corporate decisions and public policy, and in the assessment of changing US and international business environments. Restricted to Sloan Fellows. The fact of scarcity forces individuals, firms, and societies to choose among alternative uses -- or allocations -- of its limited resources. Accordingly, the first part of this summer course seeks to understand how economists model the choice process of individual consumers and firms, and how markets work to coordinate these choices. It also examines how well markets perform this function using the economist's criterion of market efficiency. Overall, this course focuses on microeconomics, with some topics from macroeconomics and international trade. It emphasizes the integration of theory, data, and judgment in the analysis of corporate decisions and public policy, and in the assessment of changing U.S. and international business environments.
Abstract: The Introductory Economics course is a collection of online experiments and related on-line workbooks which can be used by individual learners or to supplement an instructor lead course. In each experiment a student is an active participant attempting to make deals with other traders in a market. After each experiment, the data the students generated is stored and the student will use this data to complete an online workbook. The workbook guides the student through the analysis and much of the economic theory needed to understand the related experiment. In these experiments the student is both a participant and an observer.
Abstract: Examines government regulation of prices, entry, and product quality from a normative and positive perspective. Theoretical analyses of regulatory mechanisms and empirical analyses of regulatory behavior and performance are included. Regulatory reform, industry restructuring, and deregulation in industries such as telecommunications, electric power, airlines, and pharmaceuticals in the US and abroad are covered.
Abstract: Survey of modern macroeconomics at a fairly advanced level. Topics include neoclassical and new growth theory, consumption and saving behavior, investment, and unemployment. Use of the dynamic programming techniques. Assignments include problem sets and written discussions of macroeconomic events. Recommended for students planning to apply to graduate school in economics. Credit not given for both 14.05 and 14.06.
Abstract: Basic theory of consumer behavior, production and costs, partial equilibrium analysis of pricing in competitive and monopolistic markets, general equilibrium, welfare, and externalities.Recommended for students planning to apply to graduate school in economics, accounting, or finance.
Abstract: Theories of production and individual choice (under certainty and uncertainty); markets and competition; tools of comparative statics and their application to price theory.
Abstract: General equilibrium, capital theory, incomplete markets, externalities, public goods.The central topic of this course is the theory of general equilibrium and its applications and extensions.
Abstract: This readings-based course analyzes the structure and operation of government systems in developing countries, with particular emphasis on regional and local governments. Major topics include: the role of decentralization in national economic reform programs; the potential impact of decentralized governments on local economic development; determination of optimal arrangements for sharing fiscal responsibilities among levels of government; evaluation of local revenue and expenditure decisions; and assessment of prospects and options for intergovernmental fiscal reform. Emphasis is on basic economic concerns, with consideration given to political, institutional, and cultural factors.