Class dates: Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24 (5 weeks)

Class time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Location: Assumption, Kennedy 119

The purpose of this course is to examine major issues in the news, using basic economic analysis to shed light on their causes and effects. The course will consist of a series of in person discussions, driven by topics raised by class participants, who will be asked to send in questions by email before each class, as well as those that emerge during class. Each class will begin with a brief informal description of a key economic concept with illustrations of how it can be applied to a prominent current issue. Ambiguities and uncertainties in the analysis will be identified, along with differences of opinion among economists from different areas of the political spectrum. Scheduled class content may be preempted for discussion of compelling events.

Optional reading: Principles of Economics 3e (Free online textbook at OpenStax.org ) OR any standard Principles of Economics text; your preferred daily news source.

Instructor: Tom Gottschang is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the College of the Holy Cross, where he taught economics for over 40 years. He earned his Ph.D. in economics and history at the University of Michigan