Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics
This is a complete listing of all economics courses. Not all courses are offered each year.
Click here for a list of currenly offered courses.
14.451 Macroeconomic Theory I: Dynamic Optimization Methods with Applications
Prereq: 14.06, permission of instructor
Provides an introduction to dynamic optimization methods, including
discrete-time dynamic programming in non-stochastic and stochastic
environments, and continuous time methods including the Pontryagin
maximum principle. Applications may include the Ramsey model,
irreversible investment models, and consumption choices under
uncertainty. Class size limited.
14.452 Macroeconomic Theory II: Economic Growth
Prereq: 14.451, permission of instructor
Introduction to the sources and modeling of economic growth and income
differences across nations. Topics include introduction to dynamic
general equilibrium theory, the neoclassical growth model, overlapping
generations, determinants of technological progress, endogenous growth
models, measurement of technological progress, the role of human
capital in economic growth, and growth in a global economy. Class size
limited.
14.453 Macroeconomic Theory III: Economic Fluctuations
Prereq: 14.452, permission of instructor
Investigation of why aggregate economic activity fluctuates, and the
role of policy in affecting fluctuations. Topics include the link
between monetary policy and output, the economic cost of aggregate
fluctuations, the costs and benefits of price stability, and the role
of central banks. Introduction to real business cycle and new Keynesian
models. Class size limited.
14.454 Macroeconomic Theory IV: Economic Crises
Prereq: 14.453, permission of instructor
Introduction to current macroeconomic concerns with particular emphasis
on medium-run economic fluctuations, economic crises, and the role of
asset markets. Topics include the explanation of high chronic
unemployment in some nations, the source of modern liquidity crises,
the origin and end of speculative bubbles, and the factors that lead to
substantial periods of economic stagnation. Class size limited.
14.456 Topics in Macroeconomics (New)
Prereq: 14.454
Advanced subjects on topics of current research interest in macroeconomics.
14.461 Advanced Macroeconomics I
Prereq: 14.122, 14.452
First part focuses on monetary economics. Second part focuses on information and coordination problems: recent advances in global games; the impact of expectations about one another's actions; welfare effects and policy implications; applications to financial crises (currency attacks, bank runs, etc.), monetary policy, and business cycles. Other topics may include recent work on incomplete markets, capital accumulation, and wealth inequality.
14.462 Advanced Macroeconomics II
Prereq: 14.461
Shocks. Reallocation and unemployment, across countries and across time. Dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models. Ss models. Liquidity and financial frictions. Bubbles.
14.463 Advanced Macroeconomics III
Prereq: 14.451
Advanced topics of current interest in macroeconomics. 2007 focus:
economic growth and long-run economic development. Exact set of topics
adjusted according to the interests of the group.