FACULTY & STUDENT RESOURCES
Environmental Courses
Economics
Economics 1025. Theory of Capital and Income 0121
M. L. Weitzman Fall M, W, 1-2:30; and a 1.5 hour weekly section to be held F., 1-2:30
Prerequisite: Economics 1011a and Mathematics 20
Mathematically advanced. Applies the maximum principle of optimal control theory to analyze a wide variety of dynamic economic models. Emphasizes basic principles and fundamental unity of all problems involving capital, investment, and time—including harvesting of renewable resources, extraction of non-renewable resources, analysis of dynamic environmental externalities, optimal growth, equilibrium of competitive stock markets, and the economic theory of the connection between income, accounting, sustainability, and share valuation.
Economics 1393. Poverty and Development 6516
N.J. Nunn Spring M, W, 1–2:30 and a one-hour weekly section TBA
Prerequisite: Economics 1010a (or 1011a) and 1010b or (1011b).
Studies the relationship between economic growth, poverty, and income distribution. Discusses how globalization affects poverty and inequality. Studies the main theories of economic growth and the main potential sources of economic development, from physical capital accumulation, to education, to technology, to the role of government. Discusses various global issues such as public global health (e.g., the impact of malaria and AIDS on Africa), corruption and institutions, natural resources, the environment, international donor institutions, and population growth.
Economics 1400. The Contents of Globalization: Issues, Actors, and Decisions - (New Course)
L.H. Summers Spring TBA
Course will cover the economics and politics of globalization across an array of topics: international trade, development assistance, international financial flows, global warming, immigration/labor mobility, foreign investment. Within each topic we will discuss three elements: what are the important issues, illuminating the economic analytics crucial to understanding the topic; who plays a role in each of the issues to understand the motivations and constraints facing the actors engaged in globalization. Note: Jointly offered with the Kennedy School as ITF-225.
Economics 1661. Environmental and Resource Economics and Policy 2115
R. N. Stavins (KSG) Spring M, W 1-2:30; with optional review section F, 1-2:30
Prerequisite: Social Analysis 10 or permission of instructor.
Provides a survey, from the perspective of economics, of environmental and natural resource policy. Combines lectures on conceptual and methodological topics with examinations of public policy issues. Topics include principles of environmental and resource economics, nonrenewable resources (minerals and energy), renewable resources (water, forests, land, fisheries), air pollution (stationary and mobile sources, acid rain, and global climate change), water pollution (point and nonpoint sources), waste management, and sustainable development and political aspects of environmental policy. Note: Offered jointly with the Kennedy School as ENR-201.
Economics 1818. Economics of Discontinuous Change 3029
R. B. Freeman Spring Tu, Th, 1-2:30, and a one-hour weekly section TBA
Explores discontinuous changes in the economic position of groups and countries and presents mathematical and computer simulation models designed to illuminate these changes. Examples include growth/decline of trade unions, segregation of groups, development of linkages on the internet, changes in corporate work culture, growth of social pathologies in neighborhoods, and Malthusian concerns about the environment. Models include nonlinear simulations, neural networks, finite automata, evolutionary stable strategies, causal conjunctures, agent-based simulations, and genetic algorithms. Note: A research paper is required. Students should have some mathematical background, but there is no prerequisite.
Economics 2099. Topics in the History of Economic Thought - (New Course)
S.A. Marglin Fall M, 4-6
Prerequisite: Graduate-level course in microeconomic theory. Ec 2010a and b, Ec 2020a and b, or equivalent.Topics covered: (1) Efficiency vs distribution as the engine of change. (2) Can socialism allocate resources efficiently without markets? (3) Was there a Keynesian revolution? (4) The transformation of self interest from vice to virtue. (5) Economics and ecology. (6) Justifications of the focus on efficiency.
Economics 2680. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 6529
M. L. Weitzman Fall Tu, Th 11:30-1
Prerequisite: Graduate price theory at level of 2010 or 2020
Basic theory and models, including externalities, common property, instruments for controlling pollution; applications of optimal control theory to renewable and non-renewable resources; analysis of cost-benefit, discounting, uncertainty and environmental accounting; “sustainability,” and biodiversity preservation.
*Economics 2690hf. Environmental Economics and Policy Seminar 4324
R. N. Stavins, M. L. Weitzman Fall and Spring W, 4–5:30
Prerequisite: Graduate-level course in microeconomic theory.
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 ENR-551y.
*Economics 3680hf. Research in Environmental Economics 1227
R. N. Stavins Fall and Spring 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.
24 Oxford Street