Race and the Economy

Catalog description

This course will examine the causes and consequences of racial disparities in economic outcomes. We begin with a history of slavery and its economic consequences. Then we will look at official government policies, such as red-lining, that have contributed to racial disparities. We will examine the data on racial disparities in poverty, unemployment, income, and wealth. The rest of the course will focus on an economic analysis of racial differences in various aspects of the economy, including education, health care, and housing. We will also study current government policy and proposals to mitigate the disparities.