Economics of Creativity and Innovation

(3 Credits)

In this course, we will examine why some people, industries, and countries are more innovative than others. Course topics will include, but are not limited to the effects of patents, copyrights, immigration, social inequality, and education. The focus will be on policies made at the federal, state, and local levels, and on the implications of these policies for creative individuals in business, the arts, as well as science and invention. Discussions will touch upon the goals of policies and the extent to which the intention, implementation, and ultimate effects of policies align with these intentions. Students will learn to independently evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of alternative policies. They will be able to identify environments and policies that encourage innovation and creativity. Class sessions are a mixture of lectures, a guest lecture, and student presentations of existing research. Assessment will be based on these presentations and on a final project.