Teaching
Empirical Development Microeconomics
NCSU ECG 739 (PhD)
Previous syllabi: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017 (2017-2019 listed as ECG 790)
This course will provide an in-depth study of research methods for empirical development microeconomics. The class will focus on close reading and guided discussion of seminal and recent papers. The course also has an applied component, analyzing real data to estimate causal relationships. While the particular applications we study will come largely from development economics, the course is intended to be useful to students in diverse areas of applied micro.
Prerequisites: Econometric Methods (ECG 751) and Microeconometrics (ECG 753) or equivalent. Students without these prerequisites may be admitted to the course subject to the approval of the instructor, but students should not expect remedial instruction.
Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics
NCSU ARE 336 (Undergraduate). Also listed as EC 336.
Application of basic economic tools to understand and evaluate environmental/resource policies. Concepts such as property rights, non-market goods, allocation over time, externalities, and public goods. Current policy issues such as global climate change, evaluating natural resource damages from oil spills, reducing the costs of regulations, protecting estuaries, and dealing with non-point source pollution.
Prerequisite: ARE 201 or EC 201 or EC 205
GEP: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Environmental Economics in Developing Countries
(Not currently scheduled to be offered.)
NCSU ARE 495 (Undergraduate) / ARE 590 (MA)
Previous syllabi: Spring 2021, Spring 2020; Spring 2019.
This course will provide an introduction to environmental economics in developing countries. We will begin with simple theory of household behavior and welfare, starting with a standard economic model and then adapting the model to issues salient in developing countries. We will then turn to empirical work, focusing on studies from developing countries that aim to produce estimates of (1) the causal effect of poor environmental quality on health and productivity and (2) the effects of different interventions intended to improve environmental conditions. Specific applications will include the economics of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH), air pollution, and energy efficiency.
Prerequisites:
Students who have satisfied any of the following will be admitted to the class without needing permission from the instructor:
• Intermediate microeconomics (EC 301 / ARE 301); or
• Introductory microeconomics (EC 201 / ARE 201) and introductory calculus (MA 121 or higher); or
• Intermediate calculus (MA 231 or higher).
Other students may be admitted but will need to obtain permission from the instructor (see syllabus).
Past courses
If by chance you are interested in other courses I have taught in the past (UMD 626, UMD 416, Yale Jackson Program Evaluation), please contact me.