ECON 3317 Economics of Inequality
The course will provide both a theoretical and empirical analysis of economic inequality. This will include analysis and discussion of recent trends in inequality and an examination of the economic causes and consequences of inequality. Specific attention will be paid to the difference between inequality of economic outcomes (e.g., employment status, earnings, and occupation) and inequality of economic opportunity. The course will also touch on economic policy, including discussions of programs designed to combat inequality of outcomes, like welfare and food stamps, as well as those designed to combat inequality of opportunity, like Head Start.
Course overview
- Department
- Economics
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Catalog details
Requirements fulfilled
- International Studies: Concentration: Political Economy and Development Studies – approved courses (six courses; either cluster counts) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Economics B.A.: Economics elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: IS Core: one approved Economics elective numbered 2000 or above (after ECON1101) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.58 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.79 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 8
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Geoffrey Sanzenbacher | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 40 of 45 |
| Summer 2025 | Luis Morano Germani | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.3 | — | 8 of 10 |
| Fall 2024 | Geoffrey Sanzenbacher | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 45 of 50 |
| Summer 2024 | Mustafa Runyun | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4–6 hrs/week | 10 of 15 |
| Fall 2023 | Geoffrey Sanzenbacher | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 114 of 126 |
| Fall 2022 | Geoffrey Sanzenbacher | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 40 of 48 |
| Spring 2022 | Geoffrey Sanzenbacher | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 26 of 43 |
| Fall 2021 | Geoffrey Sanzenbacher | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4–6 hrs/week | 36 of 48 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 01
- Section 02