Explores a range of subjects concerning human capital, historically, theoretically, and comparatively. Topics include human capital and economic growth, population and fertility, health and public interventions, education and training, economic inequality, gender and the family, slavery and race, and intergenerational mobility, all within the broad context of economic history. A research paper or significant proposal and a final exam are required.
This course examines the dimensions and magnitude of inequality in industrial societies, with a heavy emphasis on the United States since the mid-20th century. The readings and class discussion are designed to expose students to a broad range of influential pieces in the social stratification literature. In particular, we will study inequality through: pay for work, race, neighborhoods, gender, family, mobility, education, social capital, and rising income inequality since 1980.