ECON 2244 From Service to Economic Analysis

Students who participate in a long-term service experience often run into social systems or individual outcomes that are frustrating or outright disturbing. This course provides students space to explore how the systems and outcomes they observe come about. We will examine these outcomes through an economic lens, with the aim of identifying policies or interventions that could lead to " better" outcomes. The course will introduce students to the following: concepts of equity, efficiency, welfare gains, and social welfare; survey design methods commonly used in empirical analysis; an introduction to qualitative research methods; and theoretical frameworks used in modeling systems and/or individual choices. Groups of students will work collaboratively on an extended course project examining a topic of interest that stems from at least one group member's service experience. Students should have completed or currently be engaged in a long-term service experience, such as PULSE or 4Boston.