Economics of Gender (Econ 1104)
I taught this course in Fall 2023.
Course Description
Economics of gender is an interdisciplinary field that explores the complex interactions between economics, gender, and society. Over the past five decades, significant transformations have occurred in the roles of women and men within the U.S. economy (and globally), both within the labor market and the household. This course applies an economic approach by employing tools in microeconomic analysis/theories and empirical work to consider topics in marriage and family choices, fertility, labor markets participation, the gender earnings gap, employment, and wage policies to help understand the underlying factors contributing to gender disparities in these economic outcomes.
Economics of gender is an interdisciplinary field that explores the complex interactions between economics, gender, and society. Over the past five decades, significant transformations have occurred in the roles of women and men within the U.S. economy (and globally), both within the labor market and the household. This course applies an economic approach by employing tools in microeconomic analysis/theories and empirical work to consider topics in marriage and family choices, fertility, labor markets participation, the gender earnings gap, employment, and wage policies to help understand the underlying factors contributing to gender disparities in these economic outcomes.
Principles of Microeconomics (Econ 2005)
Spring 2024
Course Description
Principles of Microeconomics will introduce you to the economics way of thinking. It provides a solid foundation for economic analysis and thinking that can last throughout your education and subsequent professional careers. This course begins with concepts such as scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, tradeoffs, and gains from trade. We will study how individual economic agents make rational decisions and then focus on supply and demand and the basic forces determining an equilibrium in a market economy. Next, we will introduce a framework for learning about consumer behavior and analyzing consumer decisions. We then turn our attention to firms and their decisions about optimal production and the impact of different market structures on firms’ behavior. The final section will pay attention to market failures. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand introductory microeconomic theory, solve basic microeconomic problems, and use these techniques to think about a number of policy questions relevant to the operation of the real economy.
Course Description
Principles of Microeconomics will introduce you to the economics way of thinking. It provides a solid foundation for economic analysis and thinking that can last throughout your education and subsequent professional careers. This course begins with concepts such as scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, tradeoffs, and gains from trade. We will study how individual economic agents make rational decisions and then focus on supply and demand and the basic forces determining an equilibrium in a market economy. Next, we will introduce a framework for learning about consumer behavior and analyzing consumer decisions. We then turn our attention to firms and their decisions about optimal production and the impact of different market structures on firms’ behavior. The final section will pay attention to market failures. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand introductory microeconomic theory, solve basic microeconomic problems, and use these techniques to think about a number of policy questions relevant to the operation of the real economy.
Teaching Statement
As an early career educator/instructor, I believe learning should be student-centered, active, and engaging. Achieving this will mean creating an all-inclusive environment that promotes curiosity, creative thinking, and collaboration among students. Every student comes in with unique experiences, perspectives, and learning lifestyles. This will mean tailoring my instructions to meet specific learning needs. In addition, I am open to and will welcome the use of technology and digital tools as learning resources and a conduit for information, keeping in mind the unplugged learning experience. Student assessment should be authentic, ongoing, and focused on growth. This will require feedback to be specific, timely, and actionable. I will also ensure that students have their own learning objectives and set goals that can be realized. My overarching goal is to empower my students to be lifelong learners who think critically, communicate effectively, and positively contribute to their societies.
