Time Schedule:
Mark C Long
PB AF 573
Seattle Campus
Examines various issues of public importance in the areas of education and social policy. Focuses on in-depth analysis of relevant issues and the integration of the economic, administrative, and political dimensions of these issues.
Class description
Topic: "Economics of Race and Inequality" This course will develop students' understanding of inequality in income (and other aspects of quality of life) by race and ethnicity in the United States. The course will cover the following topics: the history of racial inequality and trends over the past century; theories of the causes of racial inequality; wage determination and discrimination in employment and pay; inequalities in education and human capital development; and residential segregation and its consequences. Further, the class will discuss the effectiveness and limitations of policy responses to racial inequality, including discussions of Affirmative Action, redistribution policies (e.g., welfare, food stamps, housing subsidies, etc.), labor market policies (e.g., anti-discrimination policies, minimum wages, earned income tax credits, etc.), and desegregation policies. Microeconomic modeling of consumer and firm behavior will be used throughout the course to guide our thinking about these issues. While the course will focus on racial inequality, the class may discuss other manifestations of inequality.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
