Course Syllabus

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Harvard College/GSAS:  Class 17483, Course ID 126777
Spring 2024

Teaching Staff:

Prof. Claudia Goldin cgoldin@harvard.edu (Wed. 2:00pm to 3:30pm in Littauer 229)

Prof. Lawrence Katz lkatz@harvard.edu (Wed. 2:00 to 3:30pm in Littauer 224)

Office hours with Profs. Goldin and Katz should be made through Emily Dietzel edietzel@fas.harvard.edu. Please let Emily know that you are an Ec980b student.

TF Fiona Chen fionachen@g.harvard.edu (OH Tues. 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and Fri. 1:00 to 2:00pm by appointment -- reach out by email if these times do not work for you)

Meeting Time and Date and Place:

Monday 12:45pm - 2:45pm Littauer M-16. NOTE: Class does not start at 12noon, although it may be listed that way.

Course Description:

An exploration of the role of education in the economy using historical, comparative, and current policy perspectives. Topics may include the theory of human capital, role of education in economic growth and distribution, the educational production function, vouchers, charter schools, class size, standards, school equalization, student debt. for-profit educational institutions, new technology in the classroom, and the gender gap in college completion. A serious research paper is required, as are several short critical essays of the literature. Prerequisites for the course are intermediate micro and econometrics. Econometrics can be taken concurrently.

COURSE INFORMATION FOR SPRING 2024

The 2024 Syllabus and Readings list is here. Presentation slides for each week and discussion questions are posted at least a day in advance of class on "Pages." 

Goals of the Course: 

  • To explore—empirically, historically, comparatively, and theoretically—the changing significance and meaning of education in the economy from personal development to the entire nation’s economic strength.
  • To involve students in the creative process of researching, writing, and presenting original research using primary sources (large-scale data sets).
  • To discuss and understand policy relevant issues concerning Education in the Economy using print and on-line media such as those concerning COVID-19, AI, and the role of the university.

Readings: 

All readings are hyperlinked on the Syllabus and Readings. If a link does not work, bring it to our attention.

Course Requirements: 

  1. Create a Research Paper (there is no page requirement but 25 pages total is a good length) that builds on one of the course topics or a related subject. The project will enable you to use an important large data set with STATA (or R). You will be guided in the process by writing a Proposal, then a Prospectus, a Draft, and by making a presentation the last week of class during your "15 Minutes of Fame." The teaching staff will work closely with each of you to provide direction. Guidance about all parts of the Research Paper can be found here.
  2. Brief assignments: Write and post comments (about two pages) on four of the five starred (*)  readings. Comments must posted by 3pm EST the Sunday before class to Assignments. Advice on writing the comments can be found here. 
  3.  Post (at least) two Topical Articles (with pithy comments) to the Discussion page of the Ec980b website during the semester and provide comments on two of the Topical Articles posted by other students in the class. A few examples have been provided on the site. Note that the article does not have to be on the topic for that week.

Grades:

Your grade will be approximately 60-70% for the research paper, and 30-40% for the critical summaries and class discussions.

Course Organization: 

The course is organized as a lecture and discussion seminar. Assignments on the readings will be provided in advance of class to facilitate in class discussion.  

Course Summary:

Date Details Due