Senior Session This Senior Seminar is required of all seniors majoring in economics. Students…

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In this course we will conduct a close study of a few “timeless” economics topics as well as a few “timely” economics research publications. Under timeless topics we will discuss markets and market failures as well as the powerful possibilities and limitations of data analysis techniques over the years. In addition, students will get choose a few timeless topics (by selecting corresponding chapters from the assigned textbook) for further study. Students will also choose “timely” papers from recent issues of the Journal of Economics Perspectives and the Oxford Review of Economic Policy. Students will read, analyze, present, discuss, and write about these timely papers ECO 495-B: Beckerian Economics Instructor O’Keefe Gary Becker was one of the most influential economists of the twentieth century, whose seminal theories are still inspiring new work. This course will focus on several of the topics Becker worked on: crime, discrimination, marriage, fertility, and human capital development. Each section will include a discussion of Becker’s theoretical model and extensions before diving into more recent empirical research. Each student will complete an empirical project that relates to one of the theoretical models we discuss in class. ECO 495-C: Topics in Public Policy Instructor Cools ECO 495-D: Topics in Corporate Finance Instructor Stroup In this research-focused senior seminar, learners evaluate claims and counterclaims in corporate finance by linking theoretical models to empirical evidence. The course is best suited to learners prepared to work consistently and engage deeply with quantitative methods, as we study firm behavior through topics such as capital investment policy, project selection, valuation, and acquisitions. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by reasoning from models to evidence and communicating with precision. Each learner…