Economics

This course takes a microeconomic approach to macroeconomic policies, with special emphasis on monetary and fiscal policies and their impacts on inflation and economic activity. Focus is on the connections among theory, institutional design, and actual data, including historical episodes. Prerequisites: ECON 3010 or ECON 3110 and ECON 3020.

Explores the origins of environmental problems, how to measure the value of environmental amenities, and the efficacy of specific forms of regulation, including mandated technologies, taxes, subsidies, and pollution permit trading. Topics include air and water pollution, climate change, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and sustainable development. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110.

Economic analysis of the growth of income and wealth inequality since 1980, in the United States and around the world. Emphasis on measuring inequality, understanding the causes of growing inequality, and possible policy responses.

Advances in AI & automation have proceeded rapidly in recent years & have reached an inflection point that will have profound implications for the future of humanity. This course analyzes the short- and medium-run implications for employment, economic growth, & inequality. It also covers philosophical questions such as the long-run implications of AI rivaling human intelligence. Requisite: [Either ECON 3010 (or 3310) & ECON 3020] OR CS 3102.

This course will introduce you to econometric methods for evaluating public policies. At the end of the course, you will be familiar with the strengths and weaknesses behind a variety of evaluation methods commonly used to examine programs such as the minimum wage, education or job training.

New course in the subject of economics.

Studies the peculiar problems of economics in underdeveloped countries, including government and market failures. Examines factors underlying poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and corruption in developing countries, and the scope for (rigorously evaluated) policies to improve these conditions. Prerequisite: ECON 2010 and ECON 3720 (or 4720 or STAT 3220 or equivalent). ECON 2020 and ECON 3010/3110 are helpful but not required.

This course covers important topics in development economics, such as health, education, gender, environment, institutions, and infrastructure. The primary goal of the course is to prepare students to conduct and evaluate empirical research in development economics. To this end, the course will cover empirical tools necessary to study the problems facing developing economies. Requisites: ECON 3010, ECON 3720 and/or ECON 4720

Investigates the unique challenges encountered in the analysis of time series data and some of the econometric techniques that have been developed to address those challenges. Analyzes the theory and practice of forecasting economic variables. Specific topics will include ARMA models, deterministic versus stochastic trends, unit roots and unit root tests, seasonality, structural breaks, and ARCH/GARCH models.

Studies the application of statistical methods to the testing and estimation of economic relationships. Emphasizes applied econometric studies and the problems that arise when analyzing time series and cross section data by means of stochastic linear models. Prerequisite: ECON 3720 or STAT 3120 or STAT 3220 or APMA 3110 or APMA 3120; and MATH 3350 or MATH 3351 or APMA 3080.

The course will cover recent work in Computer Science and Economics the enables the appropriate analysis of dynamic marketplaces where agents rely on algorithmic tools to make decisions and compete. The course will cover a range of fundamental concepts from machine learning and convex optimization and connect them with the concepts in game theory and Economics of information.

Explores the use of laboratory methods to study economic behavior. Topics include experimental design, laboratory technique, financial incentives, and analysis of data. Emphasizes applications: bargaining, auctions, market price competition, market failures, voting, contributions to public goods, lottery choice decisions, and the design of electronic markets for financial assets. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110 and a course in statistics, or instructor permission.

Introduces the methods used to estimate the effects of existing and proposed government programs. Methods will be illustrated with applications to several areas of government policy. Students will complete an empirical policy analysis under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110, ECON 3720, and ECON 4310.

Required for Distinguished Majors. An introduction to economic research and the writing of a Distinguished Majors thesis. Although the course is intended for Distinguished Majors, other highly motivated and accomplished students may be admitted if space permits. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110; and either 3720 or 4720 or instructor permission.

Independent study under the direction of a regular faculty member. Students may not use this class to obtain academic credit for a summer internship. Prerequisite: GPA of 3.300 in UVa ECON courses.

Research under the direction of a regular faculty member. Students may not use this class to obtain academic credit for a summer internship.Prerequisite: GPA of 3.300 in UVa ECON courses.

Supervised research culminating in the writing of a Distinguished Majors thesis. Restricted to members of the Distinguished Majors Program.

Studies topics in univariate and multivariate calculus and linear algebra. Includes applications to the theory of economic statics. Prerequisite: One semester of calculus and one additional semester of college mathematics, or instructor permission.

This seminar will focus on key aspects of the development of the international economy since the mid-nineteenth century. Emphasis will be on the process of change, the impact of policy, and the operation of international institutions. Special focus will be paid to the economics of the Great Depression, the impact of the First and Second World Wars, and the drivers of growth.

This listing is for a 5000-level topics course that will allow for versions of advanced 4000-level topics class that can be used by our Bridge to the Doctorate Fellows to aquire MA-level skills during their time at UVA.

New course in the subject of economics.

Meets concurrently with ECON 4720. Studies the application of statistical methods to the testing and estimation of economic relationships. Emphasizes applied econometric studies and the problems that arise when analyzing time series and cross section data by means of stochastic linear models. Prerequisite: Math 1220 and one of the following statistics courses: ECON 3710, ECON 3720, STAT 3120, STAT 3220, APMA 3110, APMA 3120, or permission of instructor.

Studies the theory of consumer and producer choice. Includes partial equilibrium analysis of competitive and imperfectly competitive markets. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or instructor permission.

Introduces macroeconomic theory, emphasizing economic growth and the business cycle. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or instructor permission.

Studies general equilibrium analysis, welfare economics, externalities, and public goods. Prerequisite: ECON 7010 or instructor permission.