38 courses with the subject ECON H, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
ECON H105INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS1.0
An introduction to microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts and topics. Micro topics include opportunity cost, supply and demand, consumer decision making, the theory of the firm, production costs, market structures, market failure, efficiency, and welfare. Macroeconomic topics include: measurement of national output, inflation and unemployment, equilibrium output determination, money and banking, interest rates, and fiscal and monetary policy. Because ECON 105 requires graphical and algebraic competency, students are strongly encouraged to take a college-level calculus course either before or concurrently with this course.
The course explores several foundational models that shape our understanding of the nature of economic choices and interactions. We develop mathematical tools that are commonly used in the study of economics. This course is intended for students planning to major or minor in economics. Prerequisite(s): Math 105 or Math 118 at Haverford College (or a comparable course in calculus at another college), or placement into Math 121 or higher; ECON 104 or ECON 105 or ECON 106
Foundations of statistical inference and data analysis. Three class hours and two lab hours. Prerequisite(s): ECON 104, 105, or 106; Completion of Math 105 or Math 118 at Haverford College (or a comparable course in calculus at another college), or placement into Math 121 or higher.
Formal development of the theory of statistical inference, and fundamentals of data analysis. Three hours of class plus two hours of lab per week. Prerequisite(s): ECON 104, 105 or 106; Completion of Math 118 at Haverford College (or a comparable course in calculus at another college), or placement into Math 121. ECON 204 cannot be taken if ECON 203, MATH 203, SOCL 215, PSYCH 200, or Bryn Mawr’s ECON B253 have been taken
This course provides an introduction to the principles and practices of finance. Topics include financial analysis, the time value of money, valuation, capital structure, and capital budgeting. Ethical and societal issues related to financial activity will also be examined. Students may take this course or Econ 306 - Advanced Corporate Finance, but not both.
ECON H206WHY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESS LACK ACCESS AND HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER1.0
Households of low to moderate income struggle in multiple ways. To what extent can access to appropriate financial tools help alleviate some of their stress? While microcredit, the provision of small loans to people in poverty, is typically associated with developing countries, issues of access to appropriate financial products are everywhere. This course focuses on Access to Finance in the US and will involve direct engagement with Philadelphia organizations dealing with the issue that finance might address - and both the potential and actual problems that arise within households, small business and the industries that are in the ecosystem supporting them. We will read books, articles and studies to ground us in different understandings of poverty and households' financial needs, whether theoretical, empirical and/or directly observed. And, we will examine how the financial sector and adjacent industries are providing products and services to serve those households and small businesses, not always in helpful ways. We will look at eco-systems, providers, regulators and financial literacy. A major portion of the class will be project-based and will have you take a deep dive into one of the Philly organizations involved in access to finance to better understand what they do, how they are doing it and how they are making strategic decisions. We will develop basic analytical skills and deploy useful frameworks to better understand the operations of each organization. And, we will assess how their success is affected both by the capabilities they bring and the environment in which they are working. This class will be taught in Philadelphia as part of the Tri-Co Philly Program. Come join Professor Mudd in the city and learn together the issues and current local efforts to deal with them. Prerequisites: Priority in registration will be given to students participating in the Tri-Co Philly Program (https://www.haverford.edu/philly-program) and PJHR concentrators. Remaining seats are available to other Tri-Co students, by lottery, if demand exceeds remaining spaces in the course. If you are interested in the program, you must fill out the application, which is due on Friday, Nov. 1 by 11:59 pm. This program includes registering for two of three of the program’s courses, which include this course OR A City of Homes: Housing Issues in Philadelphia (ENGL B260) OR Philadelphia Music City (MUSI 005C). Those not participating in the Philly program do not need to complete the application and can simply pre-register for the class
How do banks create value, manage risk, and shape the broader economy? This course explores the workings of financial institutions, the markets they operate in, and the policies that safeguard stability. Students learn to read and interpret bank balance sheets, analyze credit, liquidity, and interest-rate risk, and understand how regulation, deposit insurance, and resolution frameworks affect incentives. We also study how central banks interact with banks—providing liquidity, setting policy rates, and serving as lenders of last resort, so students can make sense of financial news with confidence. Course not open to anyone who has already taken ECON307 Haverford or 207 at Bryn Mawr Prerequisite(s): Econ 105
An introduction to the optimization of a linear function subject to linear constraints, with applications that include game theory, transportation problems, and network flows. The course includes some theoretical material on the properties of these linear optimization problems, and also a strong emphasis on algorithms, especially the simplex method and some enhancements to it (which are especially relevant since many applications involve many variables and many constraints). Crosslisted: Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics Prerequisite(s): Co-requisite of MATH 120 or 121 or MATH 215, or equivalent placement, or instructor consent.
This course examines the role of government in the economy. We study why governments intervene in markets, how they raise revenue through taxation, and how public spending affects economic outcomes. The course emphasizes applying theoretical tools to real-world policy issues including taxation, public goods provision, income redistribution, education, health care, and social insurance. We evaluate government policies and the design of tax systems, through the lens of economic efficiency and equity. Pre-requisite(s): ECON 105
This course explores how observations of human psychology has influenced our understanding of economic thinking and decision-making. Students will reinforce and expand their understanding of classical economic models, and learn to work with new models incorporating insights from the field of psychology. Course assignments include problem sets, as well as work with real world data sets and academic writing. Crosslisted: PSYC. Pre-requisite(s): ECON 104 or 105, or equivalent. Anti-requisite(s): ECON H314, ECON B209
ECON H240ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFORMATION: CHINA VS. INDIA1.0
This is a survey course on the economic development and recent transitional experience in China and India. The course will examine the economic structure and policies in the two countries, with a focus on comparing China and India's recent economic successes and failures and their past development policies and strategies. We will analyze the factors affecting the current reforms and transformation process in the two countries, from varying degrees of centrally planned communist/socialist economic systems, towards more decentralized reforming hybrid economies combining plan and market. We examine factors affecting economic development in these emerging economies, including the role of market failure versus government failure, globalization, and institutions. The principal goals for this course include engaging students in critical analysis of published research, exposing them to an application of key economic concepts and theories applied to the study of economic growth and development, and introducing them to the process of conducting original research. Prerequisite(s): ECON 105 or 106, or instructor consent
Global indebtedness has reached astronomical and obscene proportions, and vast numbers of human beings are effectively enslaved to debt. This course examines the history of debt politics and the role of credit and debt in struggles for justice and sovereignty, in both pre-capitalist and capitalist societies. Particular focus will be placed on contemporary debates in the theory of money, and on the ambiguous and fraught relations between money and credit. Special consideration will be given to arguments for debt resistance politics as a strategy of emancipation and democratization in the context of neoliberal ideology, extreme wealth inequality, and environmental destruction, since these forces are arguably both the effects and causes of power relations enabling some to maintain perpetual creditworthiness while most have their futures foreclosed by the requirement that they pay their debts. Crosslisted: PEAC,ECON Prerequisite(s): one PEAC course or consent of instructor
An introduction to financial accounting concepts, financial reporting, and managerial accounting. The course will address how accounting measures, records, and reports economic activities for business entities and how decision makers analyze, interpret, and use accounting information. Crosslisted: Economics, Independent College Programs
This course will study the many dimensions of the 2008 Financial Crisis, and the ensuing macroeconomic recession in much of the industrialized world, through a variety of different perspectives, involving economic history, the history of economic thought, and also modern macroeconomic theory. Prerequisite(s): ECON 104, 105, or 106
ECON H277ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS AND THE PROFESSIONS1.0
Through an exploration of ethical theory and case studies, we will examine topics such as: the tension between compliance with the law and the profit motive, professional responsibility and detachment, the proper treatment of clients/patients, short-term vs. long-term benefits, the relevance of social benefits claims to business practice, doing "well" by doing "good", and the dilemma of ethical relativism in the world of international business.
Impact investing is investing to generate both a financial return and a positive social benefit. It supports firms seeking to address social, environmental and /or governance problems (ESG) in a sustainable way often within market activity. The focus of this course is to not only gain an understanding of the theory and practice of impact investing across its many components, but also to gain practical experience by assessing a particular set of potential impact investments, making formal presentations of findings to an investment committee leading to a recommendation for investment to a partnering foundation. Crosslisted: Economics, Independent College Programs, PJHR Prerequisite(s): ECON 104 or 105 or 106
Microeconomic theory has developed around the analysis of Adam Smith's "invisible hand" conjecture. To test this conjecture, we model the behavior of economic actors (consumers and firms) and their interaction in different markets. These models allow us to investigate the conditions under which these markets work well, less well, or not at all. In the process, basic tools and concepts used in other areas of economics are developed. Many of the topics covered in Introduction to Economics (ECON 105/106) are studied more rigorously and in greater depth. New topics, such as behavior under risk, insurance, and imperfect information, are introduced. Prerequisite(s): ECON 201
Analysis of the behavior of aggregate economic variables such as GDP, inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and the budget and trade deficits. Structured around the development of a New Keynesian/Neoclassical general equilibrium model which relates the markets for goods, money, and labor. Specific topics include: determinants of the business cycle, effects of fiscal and monetary policies, supply shocks, inflationary expectations. Prerequisite(s): ECON 201
Development of econometric theory introduced in Economics 203. Includes topics such as ordinary least squares estimation, weighted least squares estimation, estimation of models with nonlinear forms, instrumental variables, and maximum likelihood estimation. Emphasis will be on application of econometric techniques to real economic and social policy issues such as the optimality of speed limit control, AIDS awareness and behavior modification, labor market discrimination, and worker productivity. Students will be expected to use data sets to evaluate policy issues and will be required to make a final presentation of findings in class. Prerequisite(s): ECON 104, 105 or 106; MATH 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus); ECON 203 or 204 or MATH 203 or SOCL 215 or PSYCH 200, or Bryn Mawr’s ECON B253
Urban economics uses economic principles and techniques to study human location decisions with a particular emphasis on the city. This course will introduce classical urban economic theory as well as exploring contemporary urban economic research. Topics include agglomeration effects, urban land markets and rent patterns, zoning and local government, US housing markets, crime, transportation, and the impact of COVID-19 on cities. Readings will mix textbook presentation of core ideas and papers from the field. Pre-requisite(s): ECON 300
This course covers advanced topics in theoretical and applied econometrics. The first half focuses on time series econometrics with applications to macroeconomic and financial analysis. The second half focuses on structural estimation and Bayesian statistics. The course emphasizes the role of econometrics in causal inference and forecasting. Prerequisite(s): MATH 215. ECON 304 and/or MATH 218 are recommended, but not required, and may be taken concurrently.
ECON H342SECRETS OF THE TEMPLE: THE EVOLUTION OF THE FED'S MONETARY POLICY AND THE U.S. ECONOMY1.0
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy evolution, focusing on understanding and predicting Central Bank decision-making and its impact on the U.S. economy. From Volcker's disinflation to the current challenges posed by inflation and recession risks amidst the pandemic recovery, we will analyze changes in the Fed's objectives, targets, and instruments. The course draws lessons from historical episodes like the 1970s stagflation and the 2008 financial crisis to comprehend the Fed's responses to economic challenges. Pre-requisite(s): ECON 302
ECON H345ADVANCED TOPICS IN FINANCE: INTERNATIONAL FINANCE1.0
When goods and services move across national borders, it’s termed international trade. When labor, a factor of production, moves across national borders it’s called migration. When capital, another factor of production, moves across national borders, it’s called international finance.This course is focused on issues that arise with the movement of capital across national borders, both at the micro/business level and at the macro/national level. At the micro level we examine exchange rates and their use, how firms are affected by uncertainty in future exchange rates and what strategies they can use to lessen their risk. At the macro level we look at several models of the determination of exchange rates, at the relationship between returns across currencies and how they are related to foreign exchange rate expectations, and at some simple macroeconomic models that include the influence of foreign capital flows. Finally, we look closely at both the disruptions of financial crisis government responses as well as general policy options governments consider, e.g., fixed vs. flexible exchange rates and the imposition of capital controls. Pre-requisite(s): ECON 300 or ECON 302
Using microeconomics we study theories of choice under uncertainty; risk aversion and applications to insurance and portfolio choice; equilibrium under uncertainty in asset markets; asymmetric information; applications to the design of incentives, contracts, contests, and auctions; common; understanding and coordination. Prerequisite(s): MATH 121 or 216; Econ majors: ECON 300; Non-Econ majors: ECON 104 or 105 or 106 and at least one of ECON 300 or MATH 215
ECON H371JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: PSYCHOLOGICAL BIASES AND ECONOMIC DECISIONS1.0
A seminar-based course covering current research on the role of psychological biases in economic decision-making. The focus is on critical reading of recent work and developing students’ own research. Crosslisted: Economics, Psychology Prerequisite(s): ECON 300 or ECON B200 at Bryn Mawr; ECON 304 (can be taken concurrently). MATH 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus)
ECON H372JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL TRADE1.0
This seminar-based course covers topics in international trade theory and policy, and foreign direct investment. Determinants of international trade and foreign investment will be analyzed, and we will examine the motivations for and consequences of tariffs and quantitative restrictions on trade. Topics include dynamic comparative advantage, factor movements and multinational corporations, effects of trade on economic growth and income inequality, international trade policy negotiations, the economics of trade agreements and disputes, and regional economic integration. Prerequisite(s): ECON 300 or ECON B200 at Bryn Mawr; ECON 304 (can be taken concurrently). MATH 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus)
ECON H373JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: ACCESS TO FINANCE1.0
This seminar examines the determinants of access to finance with particular emphasis on small business financing. The primary focus will be on commercial banking. We will examine such issues as banking structures, lending technologies, regulatory issues and problems of asymmetric information, all with a focus on access to finance. We will also examine microfinance as an alternative approach for providing financial services to the poor. Prerequisite(s): ECON 300 or ECON B200 at Bryn Mawr; ECON 304 (can be taken concurrently). MATH 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus)
ECON H374JR RESEARCH SEMINAR: TOPICS IN INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION1.0
Industrial organization is the study of firm behavior in imperfect competition. This seminar introduces important empirical and theoretical work in this field. Major topics include monopoly behavior, adverse selection, oligopoly, market foreclosure, collusion, and the theory of the firm. Prerequisite(s): ECON 300 or ECON B200 at Bryn Mawr; MATH 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus)
ECON H377JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: POLITICAL ECONOMY1.0
The focus is on critical reading of seminal works and developing students own research skills. Topics include: models of elections and application of voting models to redistributive policies; legislative bargaining; interest groups/lobbying; dynamic models of fiscal policy, debt and more. Crosslisted: Economics, Political Science Prerequisite(s): MATH 118 and ECON 300 or ECON B200 at Bryn Mawr; MATH 121 (or MATH 216) is desirable
ECON H378JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: SPORTS AS AN ECONOMICS LABORATORY1.0
A research seminar analyzing contemporary journal articles which use sports data to answer important economics questions in industrial organization, labor economics, game theory, and behavioral economics. Prerequisite(s): Econ 300 or Econ B200 at Bryn Mawr; Econ 304 (can be taken concurrently); Math 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus), or instructor consent
ECON H385JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: THE DRIVERS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH1.0
This course continues on the ground work from introduction and intermediate macro courses in studying the drivers of economic growth. We will review a body of literature that tries to explain, both through empirical designs and theoretical models, the difference in the economic experiences across nations. This course will focus on both the methods used in this literature, both theoretical and empirical and on the way economic ideas are communicated in writing. Pre-requisite(s): Econ 302
ECON H387JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN MACROECONOMICS1.0
This course provides an in-depth exploration of quantitative methods used in contemporary macroeconomic analysis. We will study numerical techniques for solving dynamic optimization problems and apply them to two fundamental models: the Neoclassical Growth Model and the Lifecycle Model. Students will use both Excel and Python to implement computational solutions. Topics include model calibration using empirical data and policy evaluation focused on fiscal policy (taxes) and social security. By the end of the course, students will be able to numerically solve dynamic economic models, calibrate them to real-world data, and critically evaluate macroeconomic policy interventions within these frameworks.
Must be a senior Economics major. Prerequisite(s): ECON 203 or 204 or MATH 203 or SOCL 215 or PSYC 200 or Bryn Mawr’s ECON B253; ECON 300 or ECON B200 at Bryn Mawr; ECON 302 or ECON B202 at Bryn Mawr; ECON 304 (can be taken concurrently); MATH 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus
Must be a senior Economics major. Prerequisite(s): ECON 203 or 204 or MATH 203 or SOCL 215 or PSYC 200 or Bryn Mawr’s ECON B253; ECON 300 or ECON B200 at Bryn Mawr; ECON 302 or ECON B202 at Bryn Mawr; ECON 304 (can be taken concurrently); MATH 118 (or equivalent of 2 semesters of college calculus
