54 courses with the subject ECON, 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 001Introduction to Economics1
Covers the fundamentals of microeconomics and macroeconomics: supply and demand, market structures, income distribution, fiscal and monetary policy in relation to unemployment and inflation, economic growth, and international economic relations. Focuses on the functioning of markets as well as on the rationale for and the design of public policy.
None. Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 Staff. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 002First-Year Seminar: Greed1
In 1776, Adam Smith wrote in The Wealth of Nations : “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest…Every individual… neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much is is promoting it…he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always worse for the society that it was no part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.” This seminar investigates the degree to which self-interest should be the organizing principle of economic and social organization. This course counts as 1 of the 8 economics credits needed to fulfill an economics major, but it does not take the place of ECON 001 . It, therefore, cannot be used to fulfill the ECON 001 prerequisite for further work in the Economics Department. Social sciences. Writing course. 1 credit.
ECON 002AFirst-Year Seminar: Emerging Market Economies: The BRICS1
Will Brazil, Russia, India, and China be the most dominant economies in the world by 2050? Why is South Africa (S) in the group? We study the economic trajectories of these countries over the past 40 years, emphasizing the roles of domestic reforms and global markets in spurring human capital accumulation, industrial development, and economic growth. We ask how international organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO) are accommodating the economic emergence of the BRICS, and what influence these countries are exerting on the global governance of trade, aid, finance, and the environment. This course counts as 1 of the 8 economics credits needed to fulfill an economics major, but it does not take the place of ECON 001 . It, therefore, cannot be used to fulfill the ECON 001 prerequisite for further work in the Economics Department.
None. Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. O’Connell. Spring 2028 O’Connell. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 002BFirst-Year Seminar: The Health of Nations1
Population health varies significantly across countries and even within countries and regions. We will study the factors that explain these variations, ranging from health care systems and access to health care to a broad range of socioeconomic factors, individual behaviors, and public policies that influence health and life expectancy. Students will prepare case studies examining how countries vary in addressing a range of health issues including communicable diseases and widespread noncommunicable conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. We will also examine how countries prepare for emerging health threats, such as pandemics. Although our primary analytical frameworks will be based in economics, including behavioral economics, we will also integrate an interdisciplinary approach to studying these complex issues. This course counts as 1 of the 8 economics credits needed to fulfill an economics major, but it does not take the place of ECON 001 . It, therefore, cannot be used to fulfill the ECON 001 prerequisite for further work in the Economics Department.
None. Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Magenheim. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 003Behavioral Public Policy in the City1
Recent years have seen growth in the policy influence of behavioral science, a term covering behavioral economics, social psychology, and related fields. In this course, students will be exposed to both the core concepts underlying behavioral science, and to the nuts and bolts of one high-level policy effort to integrate behavioral science into city government - The Philadelphia Behavioral Science Initiative , or PBSI, an academia-policy collaboration under the umbrella of GovLabPHL, a multi-agency team led by the Mayor’s Policy Office. The course will be a mix of lectures, guest lectures from city and agency officials, field visits, and group exercises. Taught in Philadelphia as part of the Tri-Co Philly program. Cannot receive credit for both ECON 003 and ECON 055.
Admission to the Tri-Co Philly Program or permission of instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for ESCH Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 006Great Issues in Public Policy1
(Cross-listed with POLS 006 ) The current political, social, and economic moment has brought a number of crucial public policy questions to center stage. It has also created remarkable political polarization in the U.S. and elsewhere, which has eroded public discourse. In this course, we will study some of the biggest public policy challenges of our time - including immigration, artificial intelligence, ongoing global conflicts, climate change, abortion policy, and more. The course is mostly U.S.-focused, though not exclusively. Crucially, this course strives to bring a diversity of perspectives to bear on the selected topics (through discussions, readings, guest speakers, etc.), and students should expect their personal views on these issues to be critiqued and challenged. The course is based primarily on the fields of economics, political science, and policy analysis, though we also will teach practical skills around how to engage with those who disagree with you. The broader goal of the course is to help students learn about policy issues in nuanced ways, so we can better understand other points of view, engage in more civil discourse, and more effectively advocate for our preferred policy positions in a polarized society.
ECON 001 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics , Political Science Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 008Topics in Economic History1
This course is a survey of topics in economic history. We will cover topics that help us understand a classic and important question in economics and economic history “what determines the wealth of nations”? Topics and papers were chosen to give a broad perspective on growth and development in economic history. It will thus be thematic instead of chronological and not limited to one area. We will read papers and use positive economic tools in our coverage of topics. We will cover research primarily by economic historians on topics such as the causes of the British Industrial Revolution, colonialism, slavery in the United States, infrastructure and public health, and human capital formation.
ECON 001. Social Sciences. Writing course. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 011Intermediate Microeconomics1
Provides a thorough grounding in intermediate-level microeconomics. The standard topics are covered: behavior of consumers and firms, structure and performance of markets, income distribution, general equilibrium, and welfare analysis. Students do extensive problem solving both to facilitate learning microeconomic theory and its applications.
ECON 001 and MATH 015 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Bronchetti. Fall 2027 Remer. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 012Game Theory and Strategic Behavior1
How should one bargain for a used car or mediate a contentious dispute? This course is an introduction to the study of strategic behavior and the field of game theory. We analyze situations of interactive decision making in which the participants attempt to predict and to influence the actions of others. We use examples from economics, business, biology, politics, sports, and everyday life.
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for PEAC. Fall 2026. Bayer. Spring 2028 Bayer. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 013Economic Efficiency, Markets and Distributive Justice1
This course investigates how we should organize economic activity in a free society. First, we will study different concepts of freedom. What is the relationship between these different concepts of freedom and organizing economic activity through markets? Do these differing concepts imply that some things should not be for sale? Second, how should we judge social outcomes? What place does cost-benefit analysis have? What concepts of distributive justice should we use? What place does economic efficiency have in all these considerations? Finally, if you believe that the market outcome is not just, how should you change it? What kinds of tax and transfer systems should you use? What are their tradeoffs in terms of economic efficiency and distributive justice?”
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Kuperberg. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 015Economic Poverty and Inequality1
This course examines the causes and consequences of poverty and (income and wealth) inequality. Topics covered include measurement, mobility, and the impact of globalization, technical change, taxation, and aid. Micro interventions and macro initiatives are contrasted. Public policies and programs aimed at prevention, alleviation, and redistribution are analyzed and evaluated. The developed and developing country contexts are considered.
ECON 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL-Core Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 021Intermediate Macroeconomics1
The goal of this course is to give the student a thorough understanding of the actual behavior of the macroeconomy and the likely effects of government stabilization policy. Models are developed of the determination of output, interest rates, prices, inflation, and other aggregate variables such as fiscal and trade surpluses and deficits. Students analyze conflicting views of business cycles, stabilization policy, and inflation/unemployment trade-offs. Freshmen may not enroll.
ECON 001 and MATH 015 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for PPE (Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics) Spring 2027. Olivero. Spring 2028 Olivero. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 022Financial Economics1
This course analyzes the ways that firms finance their operations. It discusses the organization and regulation of financial markets and institutions. It examines theories explaining asset prices and returns, and it discusses the function and pricing of options and futures contracts.
ECON 001 and ECON 031 or its equivalent. Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Caskey. Fall 2027 Caskey. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 027Macroeconomic Policy Evaluation1
What are the macroeconomic effects of changes in tax rates? How can we analyze news such as the monthly “jobs report”? This course uses theoretical and empirical macroeconomic models to analyze policy questions and understand macroeconomic news in the U.S. It builds on and reviews concepts from intermediate macroeconomic and econometrics and introduces extensions as needed. The goal is to apply these models to analyze policy topics such as fiscal multipliers, fiscal consolidation, or structural reforms, as well as select macroeconomic news releases. The course focuses on a positive analysis of the main economic forces, but also discusses welfare effects. Students explore applications independently through computer exercises and class projects.
ECON 021, ECON 031 or its equivalent. Social sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 031Introduction to Econometrics1
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of applied quantitative analysis in economics. Following a brief discussion of probability, statistics, and hypothesis testing, this course emphasizes using regression analysis to understand economic relationships and to test their statistical significance. Computer exercises provide practical experience in using these quantitative methods.
ECON 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. He. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 He. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 033Financial Accounting1
This course is designed to provide students with an intermediate level study of corporate accounting theory and practice as it falls within the framework of United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). A major focus of the course is how accounting provides information to various user groups so that they can make more informed decisions. In particular, students will learn the steps in the accounting cycle leading up to the preparation and analysis of corporate financial statements. Students are also exposed to some of the fundamental differences between federal tax rules and external financial reporting requirements and are made aware of the organizations that influence and contribute to the body of knowledge in financial accounting. Finally, ethical issues that may be confronted by the accountant are also discussed throughout the course.
ECON 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Hargadon. Spring 2027. Hargadon. Fall 2027 Hargadon. Spring 2028 Hargadon. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 034Data Science for Economists1
The course introduces students to basic practices and tools that will enhance your ability to conduct empirical research and analysis in microeconomics in a data-rich world. By the end of the course, students will be proficient in various data management, visualization and quantitative techniques necessary to efficiently conduct independent economic research. The course format is “hands-on” and students will conduct most of their work on their personal computers using python and VSCode. No prior experience with the software or methods is required or presumed. The skills you learn may be applied to other languages and programming (such as in R and Stata).
ECON 031 or its equivalent. Social sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 035Econometrics1
Economists increasingly rely on empirical data and statistical techniques to study important questions in the field. In this course, we study the quantitative methods used to assess causal linkages between variables and put economic theories to the test, including simple and multiple regression, difference-in-differences techniques, logit/probit models, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity designs, randomized experiments, and others. In doing so, we explore the theory behind the statistical techniques economists lean on, but also focus on practical applications and examples using real data. In the course, students will also gain experience in the use of Stata, the primary statistical package used by economists. The aim of the course is therefore not only to inform students about the theory behind the techniques used by economists to explore data, but also to empower students with the skills needed to analyze data on their own .
ECON 001 and ECON 031 or STAT 021 Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. O’Connell. Fall 2027 Staff. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 041Public Economics1
This course focuses on government expenditure, tax, and debt policy. A major part of the course is devoted to an analysis of current policy issues in their institutional and theoretical contexts. The course will be of most interest to students having a concern for economic policy and its interaction with politics.
ECON 001 . Recommended: ECON 011 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 043Markets and Morality1
(Cross-listec as POLS 044 ) The course will investigate the place that markets and market outcomes should have in a free society. Topics covered will include: competing concepts of freedom; the proper sphere of market activity (what should and should not be for sale); theories of fairness and distributive justice; and what should be done to balance freedom and equality in the economic sphere. Co-taught with Jonathan Thakkar under POLS 44.
ECON 001 and ONE of the following POLS 11, 12, 34, 47, 100, 101 PHIL 11, 21, 41, 101, or 121. Social Sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 044The American City1
*Formerly known as “Urban Economics” The topics covered in this course include the economic decline of central cities, transportation policies, local taxation, theories of urban growth patterns, local economic development initiatives, and the economics of land use and housing.
ECON 001 and ECON 031 (or STAT 021 or consent of the instructor). Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Caskey. Fall 2027 Caskey. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 045Labor Economics1
This course offers an introduction to labor economics. Students will learn to apply microeconomic principles to topics such as labor supply and demand, unemployment, determinants of earnings, minimum wages, taxes and transfers, immigration, discrimination, education, and labor unions. Students will investigate these topics by evaluating recent economic research and analyzing labor market data.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 Social sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 046The Facts and Economics of Education in America1
(Cross-listed as EDUC 069 ) This course investigates the relationship between issues of resource allocation and educational attainment. It examines the facts about student achievement, educational expenditure in the United States, and the relationship between them. It studies such questions as: Does reducing class size improve student achievement? Does paying teachers more improve teacher quality and student outcomes? The course also investigates the relationship between educational attainment and wages in the labor market. Finally, it analyzes the effects of various market-oriented education reforms such as vouchers and charter schools.
ECON 001 and any statistics course (or the consent of the instructor). An education class is encouraged but not required. Social sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 047An Economic History of Humanity1
This course is a survey of ten thousand years of economic life from the agricultural revolution to the present. Topics include the origins of farming and cities, living standards before industrialization, the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution, and the making of the modern global economy. The course emphasizes the deep roots of growth, institutions, and inequality.
ECON 001. Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Creanza. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 051International Trade and Finance1
This course surveys the theory of international trade and of the balance of payments and exchange rates (international finance). We will primarily touch upon contemporary theories of international trade and open-economy macroeconomics. The theories are used to analyze topics such as trade patterns, trade barriers, international migration and capital flows, contemporary trade disputes, tariffs and protectionism, effects of economic and financial integration on growth and inequality, and the rise of multinational firms.
ECON 011 and ECON 021 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for ASIA ,PEAC, GLBL-core Spring 2028 Ko. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 054Global Capitalism Since 19201
This course will study global capitalism over the last century, focusing on the interplay between events, economic theories and policies. The issues to be examined include: financial market booms and busts; business cycles; inequality; the social welfare state; technological change and economic growth; and international trade and financial arrangements. The time period covers: the Roaring Twenties; the Great Depression, the post war Golden Age (1945-1973); the stagflation of the 1970s; the Thatcher-Reagan-Greenspan-Bush era of market liberalization (1980-2007); and the financial crisis and Great Recession of 2007-2010. Economic theories include: the classical laissez-faire view; Schumpeter’s theory of “creative destruction”; Keynes and the “neo-classical synthesis” advocating a mixed economy; Minsky’s theory of financial instability; Friedman, the efficient-markets hypothesis, and the “new classical” critiques of government interventions; and emerging ideas in response to the present crisis. The course will chronicle and compare economic policy and performance of the United States, Europe, Japan, and the developing world (Asia, Latin America, Africa).
ECON 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL - Core Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 055Behavioral Economics1
In the past 50 years, economists have increasingly used insights from psychology to explore the limitations of the standard economic model of rational decision making - a field now known as “behavioral economics.” This course is an introduction to the central concepts of behavioral economics, touching on related research in psychology and experimental economics. We will also discuss the public policy implications of this work, and current policy applications of behavioral research around the world. Topics covered include: self-control, procrastination, fairness, cooperation and reciprocity, reference dependence, and choice under uncertainty. Cannot receive credit for both ECON 055 and ECON 003.
ECON 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL-Core Spring 2028 Bhanot. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 061Industrial Organization1
Industrial organization studies how competition between firms affects prices, profits, and consumer welfare. This course moves beyond basic models of perfect competition and monopoly, and analyzes markets where businesses make strategic choices and anticipate responses from competitors. We will explore how businesses set prices, choose product attributes, and make entry decisions. Other topics include antitrust policy, collusion, advertising, and network competition.
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Remer. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 064Economics of Crime and Justice1
This course surveys topics in crime and justice in the US context, with a focus on thinking critically about economic theory and empirical evidence. We will review relevant economic theories and common empirical methods used to identify causal effects. We’ll discuss a wide range of crime-related topics, including measuring crime, policing, the court system, incarceration, firearms, employment, education, media, and health. Students will consider trade-offs to different approaches to crime prevention and harm reduction through an economic lens.
ECON 001 Social Science. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Rackstraw. Fall 2027 Rackstraw. Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 073Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in Economics1
Does difference make a difference in economics? In this course, we use the theoretical and empirical tools of economics to recognize and analyze the diverse economic experiences of individuals and groups and to explore sources of and solutions to persistent inequalities. We also examine the roles of difference and diversity in the development of economic theory and policy.
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for BLST, GSST Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 074Economics of the Family1
The family plays a key role in economic systems, as a consumer of goods and services and as a supplier of inputs, particularly labor. Microeconomics can help us understand a range of topics about the family and household including decisions about fertility, child rearing, household management, marriage and divorce, immigration, and labor supply. Our focus will be on the contemporary American family, but we will also consider international and historical perspectives and the influence of public policy.
ECON 001 Social Science. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL-Paired, GSST Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 075Health Economics1
This course applies microeconomic theory, including models from behavioral economics, to analyze consumers’, producers’, and the government’s behavior with respect to health and health care. Special attention will be paid to the role of socioeconomic and demographic factors in explaining patterns of health and access to health care. Other topics include environmental health, international comparisons of health and health care systems, and ongoing state and federal health care policy reform.
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL-Paired Spring 2027. Magenheim. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 076Environmental Economics1
(Cross-listed with ENVS 020 ) Introduction to the microeconomics of environmental issues with applications to the design of environmental policy. The course will cover the concepts and methods used in the valuation of environmental goods as well as the design of policy instruments and regulations to improve environmental quality. Specific topics include pollution and environmental degradation, the use of renewable and non-renewable resources, and climate change.
ECON 001 . Recommended: ECON 011 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for ENVS Fall 2027 Peck. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 079The Health of Nations1
The United States spends far more per person on health care than comparable countries, but many other countries enjoy better health and longer life expectancy. This is partly explained by differences in health care systems, but there are other factors that influence population health, including income, education, employment, housing, environmental conditions, emotional stress, social support, and access to health care. We will look at how these factors-coupled with decision making by individuals, firms, and governments-influence population health across countries, in aggregate and by race, ethnicity, gender, and age.
EC 001 Social Sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL-Core. Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 081Economic Development1
A survey covering the principal theories of economic development and the dominant issues of public policy in low-income countries. Topics include the determinants of economic growth and income distribution, the role of the agricultural sector, the acquisition of technological capability, the design of poverty-targeting programs, the choice of exchange rate regime, and the impacts of international trade and capital flows (including foreign aid).
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for ASIA, BLST, PEAC, GLBL-core Spring 2027. O’Connell. Spring 2028 O’Connell. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 082Political Economy of Africa1
A survey of the post-independence development experience of Sub-Saharan Africa. We study policy choices in their political and institutional context, using case-study evidence and the analytical tools of positive political economy. Topics include development from a natural resource base, conflict and nation building, risk management by firms and households, poverty reduction policies, globalization and trade, and the effectiveness of foreign aid.
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for BLST, PEAC, GLBL-Paired Fall 2027 O’Connell. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 083East Asian Economies1
This course will provide an overview of the East Asian economy and the economic inter-dependencies that characterize the region. After providing an understanding of the factors that have made East Asia the most dynamic in the world economy, current challenges of the region will be given particular attention. Topics that will be addressed include: economic growth in East Asia; trade and economic growth; the East Asian trade-production network; East Asia’s role in global imbalances; the Asian financial crisis; financial cooperation in East Asia; monetary cooperation in East Asia; East Asia’s role in global economic governance; inequality in East Asia; demographic challenges of East Asian countries; environmental challenges and the move to sustainable economics.
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for PEAC, ASIA, GLBL-Paired Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 084Latin American Economies1
A survey of the development experience of Latin American countries. We study policy choices in their political and institutional context. Topics include Latin American economic history, informality in labor markets, pension reform, antitrust policy, regional economic integration and trade, debt and currency crises, and the effectiveness of foreign aid. Guest speakers from universities across Latin America will present on topics pertinent to their own countries. We plan to visit the World Bank and the Interamerican Development Bank (most likely virtually due to COVID restrictions) to learn about their projects and lending in the LA region.
ECON 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL-paired, LALS Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 091BResearch Seminar in Economics: Development Economics1
This course provides each student with an opportunity to write an original empirical research paper in development economics. The course emphasizes key steps in the research process, including motivating and posing a research question, adopting a theoretical framework, designing and implementing an empirical strategy, presenting data and findings, and developing policy implications. Students study the research process through the lens of prominent recent papers in development economics, while developing and reporting on their own projects from initiation to conclusion. Student-identified projects may focus on aspects of household or firm behavior; poverty, inequality, and/or economic growth; public service delivery; impact assessment; or economic policy, along with other potential topics in a developing-country context. Student projects will employ observational or experimental data as appropriate, with an emphasis (not exclusive) on publicly available data.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 (or its equivalent) Social Sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 091CResearch Seminar in Economics: Public Policy1
Students in this seminar will write a public policy research paper. The course will guide students through the elements of conducting public policy research, including identification of a policy-relevant problem, research design, data collection and analysis, policy analysis, and recommendations. Student projects can analyze existing policy or focus on problems for which policy approaches can be proposed. As background for conducting their own projects, students will read and discuss examples of public policy research across a range of fields. Students will also present their own work in class throughout the semester, culminating in a presentation of the finished project at the end of the semester. Student research projects can be in any policy-relevant field, subject to data availability. The projects can employ existing data sets (e.g., administrative, survey, or experimental data) or students can collect their own data (e.g., through surveys and interviews).
This seminar explores the tools and topics of modern microeconomic theory. Topics include consumer and producer theory, optimization and duality, general equilibrium and welfare economics, market power, game theory, risk and uncertainty, and asymmetric information. This seminar is constructed to enhance students’ intellectual exploration of the world, expand their capacity for analytical and abstract thinking, and prepare them for further study and research in economics.
ECON 011 and multivariable calculus ( MATH 033 , MATH 034 , or MATH 035 ). Enrollment is restricted to juniors and seniors. Social sciences. 2 credits. Spring 2027. Bayer. Spring 2028 Bayer. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 102Advanced Macroeconomics2
Subjects covered include microfoundations of macroeconomics, growth theory, rational expectations, and New Classical and New Keynesian macroeconomics. Extensive problem solving, with an emphasis on the qualitative analysis of dynamic systems.
ECON 011 , ECON 021 , and multivariable calculus ( MATH 033 , MATH 034 , or MATH 035 or with permission of the instructor). Recommended: MATH 043 or MATH 044 . Social sciences. 2 credits. Fall 2026. Olivero. Fall 2027 Olivero. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 122Financial Economics2
This seminar analyzes the ways that firms finance their operations. It discusses the organization and regulation of financial markets and institutions. It examines theories explaining asset prices and returns, and it discusses the function and pricing of options and futures contracts.
ECON 011 , ECON 031 or ECON 035 , and MATH 025 or higher calculus. Social sciences. 2 credits. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 135Advanced Econometrics1
Quantitative methods used in estimating economic models and testing economic theories are studied. Students learn to use statistical packages to apply these methods to problems in business, economics, and public policy. Students will also evaluate studies applying econometric methods to major economic issues. An individual empirical research project is required.
ECON 035 and linear algebra ( MATH 027 or MATH 028 ). Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. He. Spring 2028 He. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 141Public Economics2
This seminar focuses on the analysis of government expenditure, tax, and debt policy. A major part of the seminar is devoted to an analysis of current policy issues in their institutional and theoretical contexts. The seminar will be of most interest to students having a concern for economic policy and its interaction with politics.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 (or its equivalent) Social sciences. 2 credits. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 145Labor Economics2
The course covers core topics in the field of labor economics as well as empirical methods for applied microeconomic analysis. Together we’ll examine the theory and empirical realities underlying topics such as human capital accumulation, labor supply, migration, wages, inequality, discrimination, worker power, and non-traditional (e.g. informal and criminal) labor markets.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 (or its equivalent), and single-variable calculus (MATH 015 or higher). Social Science. 2 credits. Fall 2027 Rackstraw. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 151International Trade2
In this course, we will discuss and study international trade and the global economy through the lenses of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Topics include different types of theoretical trade models, empirical trade patterns, the role of trade barriers, international flows of labor and capital, and macroeconomic interdependence. The course will also touch upon modern spatial economics, such as economic geography, internal migration, regional inequalities, urban development, and the growth of cities. The course will involve a culminating project in which students will have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned to real-life topics in trade and/or the global economy.
ECON 011 and ECON 021 Social sciences. 2 credits. Eligible for ASIA, PEAC, GLBL Core Spring 2028 Ko. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 155Behavioral and Experimental Economics2
The standard model of economic behavior is based on a set of assumptions about individual rationality, willpower, and preferences. Increasingly, researchers are finding that these assumptions can be inconsistent with observed behavior. This seminar focuses on behavioral and experimental economics, subfields of economics that draw from the broader social science literature to explore how individuals actually behave and make decisions, with the goal of improving both economic theory and public policy. The seminar will cover behavioral economics concepts and their applications in the real-world (in both high-income and low-income contexts worldwide), as well as experimental economics research and methods. Students in the seminar will read, critique, and present on the latest and most influential academic papers in behavioral and experimental economics. Topics include: self-control problems in financial behavior, preferences regarding inequality and fairness, cooperative behavior, social preferences, and consumer decision making. A student will receive 1 credit for ECON 155 if they’ve received credit for either ECON 055 or ECON 056.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 . Social sciences. 2 credits. Spring 2027. Bhanot. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 162Antitrust and Market Regulation2
This seminar studies the regulation of firms operating in imperfectly competitive markets. The course will have a strong focus on antitrust topics, such as collusion, mergers, and exclusive dealing. Other forms of regulation, such as net neutrality, FCC wireless spectrum auctions, and energy price controls, will also be studied. Students will learn to apply economic models and use data to understand the impact of government intervention on the strategic actions of businesses and consumer welfare. There will be a strong emphasis on learning the realities of policy implementation, the tools government economists use to evaluate regulations, and real-world case studies.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 (or its equivalent). Social sciences. 2 credits. Spring 2027. Remer. Spring 2028 Remer. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 175Health Economics2
This seminar applies microeconomic theory, including models from behavioral economics, to analyze consumers’, producers’, and the government’s behavior with respect to health and health care. Special attention will be paid to the role of socioeconomic and demographic factors in explaining patterns of health and access to health care. Other topics include environmental health, international comparisons of health and health care systems, and ongoing state and federal health care policy reform.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 . Social sciences. 2 credits. Spring 2027. He. Spring 2028 He. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 176Environmental Economics2
(Cross-listed as ENVS 120 ) This seminar examines the microeconomics of environmental issues with applications to the design of environmental policy. The seminar will cover the concepts and methods used in the valuation of environmental goods as well as the design of policy instruments and regulations to improve environmental quality. Specific topics include pollution and environmental degradation, the use of renewable and non-renewable resources, and climate change.
ECON 011 and ECON 031 (or its equivalent), and single-variable calculus (MATH 015 or higher). Social sciences. 2 credits. Eligible for ENVS Fall 2026. Peck. Fall 2027 Peck. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 181Economic Development2
The economics of long-run development in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We cover the leading theories of growth, structural change, income distribution, and poverty, with particular attention to development strategies and experience since World War II. Topics include land tenure and agricultural development, rural-urban migration, industrialization, human resource development, poverty targeting, trade and technology policy, aid and capital flows, macroeconomic management, and the role of the state. Students write several short papers examining the literature and a longer paper analyzing a particular country’s experience.
ECON 011 , ECON 021 , and either ECON 031 , STAT 011 , or STAT 021 Social sciences. 2 credits. Eligible for ASIA, BLST, PEAC Fall 2026. O’Connell. Fall 2027 O’Connell. Catalog chapter: Economics Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/economics Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ECON 198Thesis
With consent of a supervising instructor, honors majors may undertake a senior thesis for double credit.
