ECON 353 - Economic Inequality Across People and Places

This course studies the economics of inequality, with particular attention to spatial and social dimensions. Why do economic outcomes differ so sharply across neighborhoods, cities, and regions? How do race, gender, family background, and institutions interact with place to shape opportunity? We examine research on neighborhood effects, intergenerational mobility, migration, and discrimination in labor, education, housing, and credit markets. Using contemporary empirical studies, including work based on large administrative datasets and policy experiments, we explore the mechanisms that generate inequality and assess the effectiveness of policy responses. Although the United States is a central focus, we also examine inequality and urban-rural disparities in the low- and middle-income countries.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group II
Prerequisite(s): ECON 201
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Evaluate data and/or sources.
Analyze institutions, formations, languages, structures, or processes, whether social, political, religious, economic, cultural, intellectual or other.
Think in sophisticated ways about causation, social and/or historical change, human cognition, or the relationship between individuals and society, or engage with social, political, religious or economic theory in other areas.