{"id":216,"date":"2013-06-11T14:30:03","date_gmt":"2013-06-11T14:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/rahmed\/?page_id=216"},"modified":"2023-01-04T17:27:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T17:27:40","slug":"senior-seminar-topics-in-urban-economics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/rahmed\/courses\/senior-seminar-topics-in-urban-economics\/","title":{"rendered":"Econ 431-37: Topics in Urban Economics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Class time: T\/Th\u00a0 9:25 am -10:40 pm<\/p>\n

Email: rasha.ahmed@trincoll.edu<\/p>\n

Class Room:<\/p>\n

Office Phone: 860-297-2446<\/p>\n

Office Hours:\u00a0 MWF\u00a0 ***\u00a0or by appointment<\/p>\n

Course Description and objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n

Urban economics is the study of the location choices of firms and consumers and how these choices affect different urban phenomenon. The course will explore four urban topics:<\/p>\n

1. Cities around the world: The rise of cities in developed and developing countries and the challenges currently faced by each.<\/p>\n

2. Technology: Technological advances in production, transportation and communication and how they shape urban landscapes in terms of size and function.<\/p>\n

3. Segregation:\u00a0 The economic analysis of racial segregation and the impact it had on the functioning of markets, e.g. housing and labor markets, and opportunities for reform.<\/p>\n

4. Education: The impact of space on education opportunities and achievement.\u00a0 An analysis of the education gap at the local and international level and strategies for reform.<\/p>\n

A prior background in urban economics is not required although interest in the subject matter is.\u00a0 I will start each topic with a brief overview of the economic approach to the particular urban issue.\u00a0 Students research each topic through reading the required articles, choosing a question of interest to research,\u00a0 prepare a presentation to the class. By the end of each topic I will give you a writing assignment that tests your ability to synthesize the material covered in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n

Grading<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Grade for class will be calculated as follows:<\/p>\n

Writing assignments\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 60%<\/p>\n

Participation\/ in class writing\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a020%<\/p>\n

Presentations\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 20%<\/p>\n

Policies<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. I expect you to attend every class and to be there on time and not to leave till the end.\u00a0 I understand that this is your last semester and that many of you will be interviewing for jobs. \u00a0I expect you to schedule your job interviews so you do not miss class.<\/p>\n

2. I expect you to be engaged in the class at all times.<\/p>\n

3. I expect you to check your email regularly.<\/p>\n

4. If you accumulate more than two absences, 1 % will be deducted from your final grade for every class missed.<\/p>\n

5. Papers submitted within a week after the due date will get graded and discounted by 30%.\u00a0 There are no makeups for missed presentations.<\/p>\n

6. There are no “extra credit” assignments. Your grade will be determined as outlined in the grading section above.<\/p>\n

7. Dishonest conduct or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Please refer to the Student Handbook for a review of requirements.<\/p>\n

Finally, students are encouraged to speak with me directly should any concerns or difficulties arise. I am happy to work with students who need extra help. Please feel free to drop by during office hours, send an email or speak with me following class time.<\/p>\n

Books<\/strong><\/p>\n

Glaeser, Edward (2011). “Triumph of the City” the Penguin Press.<\/p>\n

Glaeser, Edward and David Cutler (2021). “Survival of the City: Living and Thriving in an Age of Isolation,<\/span>” the Penguin Press.<\/p>\n

Arnott, Richard and Dan McMillen.2006. A Companion to Urban Economics. Blackwell Publishers<\/p>\n

Bluestone, Barry, Mary Huff Stevenson, and Russell Williams. 2008. The urban experience: economics, society, and public policy. Oxford: Oxford University Press<\/p>\n

DeSoto, Hernando. 2000. The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else. Basic Books.<\/p>\n

Inman, Robert. 2009. Making Cities Work: Prospects and Policies for Urban America. Princeton University Press<\/p>\n

O\u2019Sullivan, Arthur. 2008. Urban Economics. McGraw-Hill\/Irwin 7e<\/p>\n

Course Outline<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following is an outline of the topics that will be covered each week. The outline and dates may be changed during the semester.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Week 1, 2, 3, 4 (Feb 9 – March 9): <\/b>Overview of Urban Economics\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/a>\u00a0Urbanization and growth of cities<\/a>, cities in developed and developing countries<\/a>,<\/p>\n

Overview: The benefits and costs of cities, Urbanization and development, The modern city, Urban policies<\/p>\n

First Writing Assignment Due<\/p>\n

Book Chapters:<\/i><\/p>\n