The Economics of Mass Media

The mass media shape our culture and politics but are also shaped by their economic incentives. In this course we will use tools from microeconomics and econometrics to study the effects of mass media on economic, social and political behavior, and to study the factors that shape media content and availability. We will develop implications for business and public policy. Students will complete weekly readings, bi-weekly assignments, a take-home midterm, and a final paper and presentation. Class time will be devoted to a mix of lecture and discussion of readings and lecture topics.