Teaching
Economics of Crime (410/510), Fall 2023
We focus on the determinants and consequences of crime. We focus first on a Beckerian model of crime, and recent empirical tests using applied econometrics. We then focus on more recent research on the economic determinants of crime, including human capital formation, local economic conditions, community infrastructure, mental health, and cognitive behavioral therapy. We also look at new research on machine learnings, and the potential they have to improve both the efficiency and equity of the criminal justice system. Finally we study racial disparities in arrests, use of force, and implications for current police debates.
Principles of Microeconomics (201), Spring 2024
This class provides an introduction to the principles of microeconomics. We begin with the gains from trade. We then review the supply and demand, and the basics of welfare economics. We study taxation, incidence and externalities. We then study other market failures including the tragedy of the commons, public goods, monopoly and market power. Students learn the essentially concepts of microeconomics and their practical application to a variety of real world problems.
Causal Inference (607), Fall 2023
We study seminal papers and recent advances in causal inference. We begin basic models of causal inference. We then study how randomized experiments allow the estimation of average treatment effects. We then expand our discussion to other contexts including instrumental variables, regression discontinuity. and local average treatment effects. We then discuss difference-in-differences assumptions, recent advances, and diagnostic tools. We finish with an investigation of case studies, synthetic control, and matrix completion.
Health Economics (443/543), Spring 2024
We focus on the determinants and consequences of health. We begin with Grossman’s model of health capital. We then examine whether human capital affects health, and whether health is a normal good. We also study a variety of empirical papers on drugs and addiction, obesity, and infectious diseases. We then study the health insurance. We first study how access to health insurance affects utilization. We then study the effects of access to care on health, financial well being, and economic. We finish by discussing possible causes for recent trends in healthcare costs.