PAM 3130

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - April 4, 2023 12:09PM EDT
  • Course Catalog - April 3, 2023 12:59PM EDT

PAM 3130
Behavioral Economics and Public Policy

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2022-2023.

Standard economic theory assumes that individuals are rational decision-makers; however, that is often not the case in the real world. Behavioral economics uses findings from psychology to determine ways in which individuals are systematically irrational to improve upon existing models. The first part of this course reviews these theories, while the second part of the course focuses on how these findings have been used to design better education, health, and tax policies as well as many others.

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: undergraduate students.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: PAM 3100 or a course in basic econometrics, and PAM 2000 or ECON 3030, or permission of instructor.

Distribution Category (SBA-HE)

Outcomes
  • Use the key findings in psychology that have important lessons for the field of economics.
  • Apply economic insights from lab experiments to policy design.
  • Interpret empirical results from research papers as they relate to policy.
  • Identify areas of policy where taking behavioral insights into account could improve public policy in terms of implementation, efficiency, or redistribution.
  • Identify assumptions in standard economic models that may not hold in real world settings and learn how economists test their validity.
  • Present findings from top-tier journals in economics.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ECON 3670, PAM 5130

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 10758 PAM 3130   LEC 001

  •  

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    If this class fills a waitlist will be available via student center. This is a cross-listed class, and student center will create three separate waitlists. The waitlist position you will see may not accurately reflect your number on the combined list. PAM and HCP students will receive priority off the waitlist. Prerequisite: Either PAM 3100, CRP 5450, or a course in basic econometrics AND either PAM 2000, CRP5122 or ECON 3030. To substitute a prerequisite, e-mail the instructor: btk24.