For projects and debates, I will pair those with little economics background with those with greater background. This will create a lot of variety, while it will also mean that the class will not have a normal rhythm. I have written the syllabus under the assumption that the whole class will witness each debate, but perhaps we will instead schedule them for evenings, outside of class. I have scheduled 4 short papers. I may shift this around, to involve two long papers and a series of ungraded one-page papers on the JEI Report or other topics for discussion.
All exams entail short essays.
Class will involve as much discussion as lecture. Or it will, if you come prepared. The Katz book and other materials we use after the initial week or so focus on contemporary issues. We will try reserving a block of time twice each week to discuss items in the news, drawing primarily from the JEI Reports . That will provide roughly 20 such discussion slots over the course of the term, or one for each person.