Elements of Human Capital Theory: The Economic Science of People

Undergraduate / Graduate

Many believe economics is a discipline mostly concerned with money, finance, taxes, international trade, and industrial policy. This course explores how economics is, above all, about people. It covers a wide range of topics, all seen through the lens of human capital theory to demonstrate its importance in the economy: parental investment in children, nature versus nurture, aging, education, health, marriage, fertility, preference formation, specialization, and economic growth. In addition to discussing economic theory, students will gather and analyze data, consider applicable examples in literature, movies, sports, or popular culture, and write short essays. No prior knowledge of calculus, economic theory, or econometrics is required.