ECON 322 - Public Policy and Human Happiness

Semester Offered: Second Semester
Credits (Range): 3 Hours
Attribute: 3 SS

New Course added 10.19.2007.

This course examines how economists evaluate government policies. We examine a number of methods for measuring the costs and benefits of government policies, including the Pareto principle, the compensation principle, compensating and equivalent variation, surplus, fairness, social welfare, and direct measures of happiness. We will then apply these methods to various policy problems, including tax efficiency, inter-generational equity, poverty abatement, social security, privatization, global warming, paternalism, traffic congestion, and national security policy. Enrollment Limit: 20.
Instructor: J. Lipow
Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisites: Econ 253 or Econ 101 and Math 131 or Math 132 or Math 133 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.