Class Struggle

Tag: Class Struggle

Pre-Registration for Winter and Spring

Advance registration for winter and spring terms will resume next Monday, October 14, and continue through the last day of classes for the term, Thursday, November 21.  Only degree-seeking, Waseda, and visiting/exchange students are eligible to advance register for classes.

Pre-registration for Winter and Spring resumes October 14, and I encourage you to sort your schedule out, especially so that the instructors can plan for classes appropriately.  We tend to do things differently in classes with enrollments of 25 than with 10, for example.  

Here is the full schedule.  Here are some of the highlights:

WINTER:

  • Finance (ECON 295) with Professor Vaughn.  This is a continuation of the financial accounting course (ECON 170), and it looks excellent.
  • We have opened a second section of Econometrics (ECON 380) in the winter.  We currently have 26 registered in one section and two in the other.  Professor Devkota is teaching both sections. 
  • Sports Economics (ECON 495)  with Professor Rhodes, MWF at 3:10.  The prerequisites are the intermediate micro and econometrics courses (ECON 300 and ECON 380). 
  • Both Senior Experience options are open.  Professor Finkler is in charge of the paper option (ECON 602) and you must clear the topic with him.
  • The Senior Experience reading option (ECON 601) will feature Alexander Field’s A Great Leap Forward: 1930s Depression and U.S. Economic Growth.  Tyler Cowen calls it a “masterpiece.”  Professor Field will be on the campus in the Spring to meet with students and give a public lecture.  For advanced sophomores and juniors (i.e., those who have had econometrics), I will offer a 2-3 unit directed study (a Junior Experience). 

SPRING:

  • Professor Devkota will offer Economic Development (ECON 200).   This is potentially a great second class for someone who has had ECON 100 or ECON 120 and wants to take a second course.   He is teaching it this term, so there is some information out there from someone other than me (it sounds like an excellent class).
  • We are also offering Decision Theory (ECON 225) and Environmental Economics (ECON 280).   If you are planning to major or minor, we strongly encourage you to take Decision Theory during your time here.
  • Professor Devkota will offer International Trade (ECON 460) for the major set.
  • Professor Rhodes will offer a 400-level math-econ course (ECON 495), available to anyone with calculus and ECON 300. 

If you have any questions, get in touch with Professor Finkler, Professor Galambos, or Professor Gerard in terms of how you might schedule a major or minor, or simply what courses make sense given your academic and extra-academic interests.  If you have questions about the particular courses, you can direct inquiries to the instructor.

Economics Course Additions, 2013-14

Welcome back, students and faculty.  Here is the full schedule for your perusal.

Fall Additions:

ECON 120 ● INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS ● 12:30-01:40 MWF MEMO 118  Briggs 217 ● Mr. Rhodes

ECON 200 ● ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ● 08:30-09:40 BRIGGS 217 ● Mr. Devkota

ECON 295 ● TOPICS : LABOR ECONOMICS 03:10-04:20 MWF BRIGGS 217 ● Mr. Rhodes

Winter Additions:

ECON 295 ● TOPICS: FINANCE ● 12:30-01:40 MWF TBD ● Mr. Vaughan (not yet listed)

ECON 380 ● ECONOMETRICS ●  08:30-09:40 MWF BRIGGS 223 09:00-10:50 T BRIG 223 ● Mr. Devkota  (not yet listed)

ECON 495 ● ADVANCED TOPICS: SPORTS ECONOMICS ● 03:10-04:20 MWF BRIGGS 217 ● Mr. Rhodes

Spring Additions (not on schedule yet):

ECON 120 ● INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS ● 12:30-01:40 MWF TBA ● Mr. Rhodes

ECON 200 ● ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ● 11:10-12:20 MWF TBA ● Mr. Devkota

ECON 460 ● INTERNATIONAL TRADE ● 08:30-09:40 MWF TBA ● Mr. Devkota

 

Course Additions for Fall 2013

For those of you looking for a delicious addition to your schedule this fall, the economics department has augmented its fall schedule with several courses.

And, here they are:

ECON 120 (5939) ● INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS ● 12:30-01:40 MWF ● Mr. Rhodes

ECON 200 ● ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ● 08:30-09:40 ● Mr. Devkota

ECON 295 ● TOPICS : LABOR ECONOMICS 03:10-04:20 MWF ● Mr. Rhodes

 

Spring Schedule

Here are our course offerings for the Spring term.

ECON 100 ● INTRODUCTORY MICROECONOMICS ● 8:30-09:40 MWF BRIG 420 ● Mr. Galambos

ECON 120 ● INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS ●  01:50-03:00 MWF BRIG 223 03:10-04:20 T BRIG 223 ● Mr. Georgiou

ECON 151 ● INTRO TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ●  09:50-11:00 MWF BRIG 224 ● Mr. Hixon

ECON 170 ● FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING ● 11:10-12:20 MWF BRIG 223 ● Mr. Vaughan

ECON 225 ● DECISION THEORY ● 01:50-03:00 MWF BRIG 206 ● Mr. Galambos

ECON 245 ● LAW AND ECONOMICS ● 11:10-12:20 MWF BRIG 423 ● Mr. Georgiou

ECON 280 ● ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS ● 12:30-02:20 TR BRIG 223 ● Mr. Gerard

ECON 300 ● MICROECONOMIC THEORY ● 08:30-09:40 MTWR BRIG 223 08:30-09:40 ● Mr. Gerard

ECON 320 ● MACROECONOMIC THEORY ● 09:50-11:00 MTWR BRIG 223 09:50-11:00 ● Mr. Finkler

ECON 421 ● INVESTMENTS ● 01:50-03:00 MWF BRIG 217 ● Ms. Karagyozova

ECON 425 ● ENTREPRENEURSHP AND FINANCE ● 02:30-04:20 TR BRIG 217 ● Mr. Finkler, Mr. Vaughan

ECON 465 ● INTERNATIONAL FINANCE (G) ● 09:50-11:00 MWF BRIG 206 ● Ms. Karagyozova

ECON 225 Decision Theory Added to Spring Term Schedule

You might be interested to know that a new 200-level economics course has been added to the schedule for the quickly approaching spring term. ECON 225, Decision Theory, will be taught by Professor Galambos MWF 1:50 to 3:00. He has offered this course in the past as “Game Theory and Applications.” The new title reflects  a greater emphasis on the decision theory foundations, after which game theory and its applications will follow in the second part of the course. If you’d like to get an idea of what the course is like, take a look at last year’s syllabus. This year’s offering will not be exactly the same, but it will be very similar. The course is now listed on Voyager, so you can register any time.

Economics Department Schedule, Winter 2013

Here are the course offerings in economics coming up this winter.  Click the links for course descriptions and availability. See you there.

ECON 100 ● INTRODUCTORY MICROECONOMICS ●  9:50-11:00 MTWR BRIG 223 09:50-11:00 ● Mr. Gerard

ECON 170 ● FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING ●  11:10-12:20 MWF BRIG 223 ● Mr. Vaughan

ECON 202 ● GLOBAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS ● 12:30-01:40 MWF BRIG 206 ● Ms. Beesley

ECON 215 ● COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS ● 2:30-04:20 TR BRIG 217 ● Mr. Galambos

ECON 220 ● CORPORATE FINANCE ● 8:30-9:40 MWF BRIG 223 ● Mr. Azzi

ECON 271 ● PUBLIC ECONOMICS ● 3:10-4:20 MWF BRIG 217 ● Mr. Georgiou

ECON 380 ● ECONOMETRICS ● 1:50-3:00 MWF BRIG 223 03:10-04:20 T BRIG 223 ● Ms. Karagyozova

ECON 400 ● INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION  12:30-2:20 TR BRIG 223 ● Mr. Gerard

ECON 410 ● ADV GAME THEORY & APPLICATIONS   9:00-10:50 TR BRIG 217  ● Mr. Galambos

ECON 601 ●  SENIOR EXPERIENCE: READING OPT  02:30-04:20 T BRIG 317 ● Mr. Gerard

Courses for Fall 2012

Welcome back to the friendly confines of LU.  Here are the Econ Department courses for the fall term:

ECON 120 INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS 12:30-01:40 MWF BRIG 224 03:10-04:20 R BRIG 224 Mr. Georgiou 

A study of the principles, concepts, and methods of economic analysis, with a theoretical focus on the determination of national income. Special attention given to governmental expenditure and taxation, monetary policy, inflation, and unemployment. Especially appropriate for those who only want to take one economics course. 

ECON 200 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (G,W)  12:30-02:20 TR BRIG 223 Mr. Finkler 

This course seeks to provide students with a broad based understanding of economic development and the choices countries face. To obtain such an understanding, students will read the works of contemporary economists who provide a variety of approaches to poverty alleviation and the tradeoffs that must be confronted. Emphasis will be placed on close reading, class discussion, and on writing a number of papers that compare and contrast different views of economic development.

ECON 211 IN PURSUIT OF INNOVATION (S) 11:10-12:20 MWF BRIG 223  Mr. Galambos, Mr. Brandenberger, Mr. Vaughan 

This course acquaints students with innovation—its objectives, major characteristics, and likely origins. The course focuses mainly on scientific and /or technological innovation; it will be taught as a joint physics/economics offering. The course includes one or two lectures per week along with student presentations and hard-charging discussion based on readings from books, articles and case studies. Outside resource individuals (in most cases Lawrence alumni) who are well-placed and experienced in innovation will offer advice and guidance to particular student projects. Do yourself a favor and take this course. 

ECON 300 MICROECONOMIC THEORY (Q) 08:30-09:40 MWF BRIG 223 08:30-09:40 R BRIG 223 Mr. Galambos 

A study of the microeconomic foundations of economics. The course focuses on equilibrium models for consumers and firms in competitive markets, as well as deviations from perfect competition. Your first genuine step toward self-actualization.

ECON 430 CAPITAL AND GROWTH (Q) 09:00-10:50 TR BRIG 217 Mr. Finkler  

An examination of the determinants of long-term economic growth and productivity. Particular attention given to the role of capital, international competitiveness, savings, tangible investment, and the role of public policy in all such areas.

ECON 495 TOP: LAW AND ECONOMICS 03:10-04:20 MWF BRIG 217 Mr. Georgiou 

Along with an introduction to legal analysis, a study of the political economy of four core areas of the law: property, contracts, torts, and crime and punishment. Applies rational-choice theories to both economic and political decisions involving the law. 

Registration Alert

Here are some course adds for the 2012-2013 campaign:

Fall Term

  • Introductory Macro (ECON 120)  MWF 12:30 – 1;40 and  Thursday 3:10 – 4:20  – Georgiou
  • Advanced Topics (in Law and Economics, ECON 495)   3:10 – 4:20  MWF  – Georgiou  (prerequisite Econ 300)

Winter Term

  • Public Economics (ECON 271)  MWF 3:10 – 4:20 – Georgiou

Spring term

  • Introductory Macroeconomics (ECON 120) – MWF 1:50 – 3:00 and Tuesday 3:10 – 4:20 Change of instructors – Georgiou
  • Law and Economics (ECON 245) – MWF 11:10 – 12:20. –Georgiou
  • Investments (ECON 421) – MWF 1:50 – 3:00 – Karagyozova

Class Struggle is Intensifying

I have finally started reading Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy by Joseph Schumpeter. And now I simply can’t put it down. This has not happened to me with an economics book since I read The Road to Serfdom by Hayek. Schumpeter’s work is pure gold, prescient, wise, analytically crystal clear, and beautifully written (yes, every so often one must reread a paragraph-long sentence). I can’t wait to discuss the details in our CS&D reading groups.

The second part of the book is on capitalism, and Schumpeter make some arguments that seem decidedly Marxian, resembling conclusions that Marx “reached.” Which is probably why Schumpeter found it important to start the book with a first part on Marx’s work. Schumpeter’s critique of Marx is balanced, even generous, but penetrating. I have read before that Schumpeter succeeded best by far in putting Marx’s work in perspective, and now I can see how. (Not that I have much expertise on Marx.)  Yes, Schumpeter says, I reach some similar conclusions, but make no mistake, dear reader: there is a world of difference between how Marx got there and how Schumpeter did. And there is a world of difference between the implications of Marx’s “analysis” and Schumpeter’s.

I particularly enjoyed Schumpeter’s analogy between Marxism and religion. I have read others who make the same point, but Schumpeter makes it so much better. Marxism is not just a theory of economic change, but a theory of the world. And so it gives followers a lens through which they can see and interpret everything. The Witness is a Hungarian cult movie from the sixties on the Soviet system. In one scene, the head of the state secret police says, “whether you eat baked potatoes or pork roast, the class struggle is intensifying!” People quoted this phrase for decades to come in an ironical voice in comments on the political and economic situation. Yes, it is possible to see everything as a manifestation of class struggle. And once you see everything that way, it is difficult to think outside that system. Though I grew up in the last stages of goulash communism, I was to some extent exposed to that world view, partly in a very personal way. My great-uncle was a true believer in Marxism well before it was fashionable in Hungary. In fact, his own father was in and out of jail in the 1920s for being a communist. (At that time, right-wing Hungary’s police stations had copies of a thick black book—a list of undesirable, suspicious people to watch out for. My great-uncle’s father was listed as guilty of being a Communist and a Jew.) My uncle, after he came back from Auschwitz, got to work in helping build the communist future. He taught Marxism in evening classes to those who needed to be “educated.” And even though he lived through the many failures of that system, he remained a believer to some extent till the end of his life. Yes, Marxism offers a theory of why things are bad, who’s to blame, and hope for inevitable salvation.