By investigating money, banking, and government debt, this course provides the means to analyze monetary policies and institutions. Topics include barter and commodity money, monetary institutions in historical perspective, financial intermediation, central banking, debts and deficits, savings and investment, and the temptation of inflation. In this course, students are introduced to topics of recent concern in macroeconomic research and policy circles. To remain current, the content will vary from year to year. This course exposes students to the practical uses of econometrics.
Students explore a variety of econometric techniques used to test various macroeconomic hypotheses.
Included are panel regressions, two-stage least squares, generalized least squares, and unit root and cointegration analysis. This course is an examination of econometric models designed to forecast the United States economy. A discussion of their role in policymaking and a critical assessment of their performance are part of the course. This course is an examination of how political and economic forces interact to influence the character of domestic economic policies. Students examine the role of various political institutions, such as the structure of elections, the party system, the legislative process, the powers of the executive, and lobbying.