GOVT 467:001: Money, Markets and Economic Policy
No prerequisite. Applies basic economic concepts to an examination of fundamental issues facing the U.S. and global economies. Explores the way markets work, the reasons they sometimes fail and the role of government policy. Topics include productivity and economic growth, taxes, health care, globalization, income distribution and financial crises, with an emphasis on market structure, social institutions and the not-always rational behavior of investors and consumers.
Over the last decade, economics has moved from the periphery of the political conversation to its white hot center. This course will provide a familiarity with the fundamental issues facing the U.S. and global economies, along with an understanding of the economic principles that underlie them. The course is aimed at non-economics majors seeking the economic literacy necessary to do their jobs, manage their lives and participate intelligently as citizens in a democracy. It is taught by a prize-winning journalist with a knack for demystifying complex economic ideas and policy choices and translating them into conversational English. There are no prerequisites and the course involves very little math. Critical thinkers with curious minds are strongly encouraged to enroll.
(MW 1:30-2:45 pm)
HNRS 122-001: Reading the Arts: Narrative Journalism
Story-telling has always been at the heart of great journalism. In this course, we’ll explore the last century of American history by reading some of the best examples of narrative—that is, story-telling—journalism as published in books, newspapers and magazines. We will explore how narrative journalism is done, what is the historical and media context in which it is written, what makes it effective and what impact it has had on readers and society. This is not a journalism course as much as it is a literature and history course. The aim is not to teach you how to write great journalism but how to recognize it and get the most out of reading it.
(T-TR 10:30-11:45am)