Instructors: James J. Heckman and Sadegh Eshaghnia
- Lectures: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30 – 2:50pm
- Classroom: Saieh 203
- Office Hours (Eshaghnia): Wednesdays, 4:30-6pm, CEHD 172
- TAs: Robert Bernhardt (rbernhardt@uchicago.edu)
- TA Sessions: Tuesdays, 6:30 – 7:20pm
- TA Session Location: Saieh 146
- TA Office Hours: Fridays, 3-4:30pm, Saieh 203
If you experience problems with this website, please contact Jennifer Pachon.
Course Description
The continued rise of economic inequality in the U.S. has spurred heated debate among economists and policymakers over the past several years. This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of social science perspectives on inequality, including its causes, persistence, and effects. It also introduces students to different frameworks for discussing inequality and how societal forces contribute to increasing inequality. Additionally, the course helps students connect broader societal trends with specific government policies. By covering key vocabulary, concepts, theories, and debates related to economic inequality, the course lays a solid foundation for further studies in economics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students should possess a deeper understanding of the facts
about inequality and social mobility, as well as a grasp of the complexity of the problem and
challenges inherent in addressing these issues through governmental policies. The successful
ECMA 34150 student should be able to:
- Articulate economic terminology and methods for measuring inequality;
- Perform calculations to assess and illustrate income/wealth inequality, and economic mobility;
- Analyze the root causes, mechanisms, and consequences of economic inequality;
- Demonstrate a nuanced comprehension of the policy and political ramifications associated with inequality.
Prerequisites
You must have minimum grade of C- in Calculus I-II (MATH 15100-15200), and Econometrics (ECON 21020/21030) or Statistics (STAT 24400/24410).
University Policies:
Policy Statement on Non-Discrimination
The University of Chicago considers students, employees, applicants for admission or employment, and those seeking access to University programs on the basis of individual merit. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law (including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972). For additional information, read the University of Chicago’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct.
The University official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Nondiscrimination is Bridget Collier, Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity Programs. Collier also serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Affirmative Action Officer, and Section 504/ADA Coordinator. You may contact her by emailing bcollier@uchicago.edu, calling 773.702.5671, or writing to Bridget Collier, Office of the Provost, The University of Chicago, 5525 S. Ellis Ave., Suite B, Chicago, IL 60637.
Academic Accommodations
The University of Chicago is committed to facilitating the full participation of students with disabilities in the life of the University. If you have a documented disability or you believe you have a disability and would like information regarding academic accommodations/adjustments in this course please contact the Student Disability Services Office (773-702-6000 or disabilities@uchicago.edu) as soon as possible for more information and/or to initiate the process for accessing academic accommodations. For the full policy see: https://disabilities.uchicago.edu.
Academic Policies
Technology in Class
You are welcome to use a laptop or tablet in this class as long as it contributes to your learning. All students are expected to actively listen to one another in order to participate in classroom activities. If you are unable to contribute to the discussion or are otherwise distracted by your computer, cell phone, or tablet, I will ask that you refrain from using it in class. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me.
Attendance and Late Assignments
Because class discussion is at the heart of this course, you are required to be in class. Submitting assignments on time is essential for me to provide feedback on your work. With that in mind, grades for late work will be reduced by 10 points (out of 100) every day past the due date. If an emergency or other unexpected circumstance arises that prevents you from being able to meet a
deadline, please be in touch with the TA as soon as possible and the deadline will be extended by one day.
Missed Class Policy
If circumstances occur in accordance with The University of Chicago Policy on Religious Accommodation for Missed Classes, Assignments, and Exams (found at https://provost.uchicago.edu/handbook/clause/policy-religious-accommodation-missed-classes-assignments-and-exams) result in a student missing a quiz, test, exam or other graded item, the student must contact the instructor in advance by phone, e-mail or in person, provide official documentation to back up his or her absence, and arrange to make up the missed item as soon as possible.
Student Privacy
Federal law and university policy prohibits instructors from discussing a student’s grades or class performance with anyone outside of university faculty/staff without the student’s written and signed consent. This includes parents and spouses. For details, see the “Confidentiality of student records (FERPA)” section of the University Policy Page at https://registrar.uchicago.edu/records/ferpa/access-security-records/
Academic Honesty
Any act of academic dishonesty as defined by the University of Chicago policy on academic honesty (found at UChicago Handbook for Academics will result in an F in the course or an F on the item in question, subject to the determination of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
Any act of academic dishonesty as defined by the University of Chicago policy on academic integrity (found at Academic Integrity & Student Conduct will result in an F in the course or an F on the item in question, subject to the determination of the instructor.
Grading and Evaluation
Assignments are weighted for grading purposes as follows:
- Class participation: 10%
- Random quizzes: 10%
- Assignments (3 sets): 20%
- In-class midterm exam: 30%
- Final exam (comprehensive) or term paper (paper outline+ presentation+ final paper): 30%
You may choose between the term paper and the final exam. The term paper should be between 8 and 10 pages on a specialized inequality topic due by the end of the exam period. If you choose to write a term paper, you will also be required present your paper in class.
Reading Responses
During weeks that do not include a midterm or final exam, each student must complete a short response paper based on the readings. These shall be due on Wednesday at noon. Responses received after noon will be docked 12.5%, and responses will not be accepted after Wednesday at midnight without prior approval. Each response paper must discuss at least three papers from the course reading. One paper each shall be taken from the starred papers for Monday and Wednesday. The third paper must not be starred and can be from either day. The discussion for each paper must include 1-2 sentences discussing the topics, methods, or findings of the paper, and 1-2 sentences reacting, interpreting or responding to the paper. The reaction must pertain to a specific graph, table, chart, or map for at least one of the papers.
Students can submit the assignments and their term papers individually or in groups of two.
Important Dates
The instructor reserves the right to change the content of the course material if he perceives a need due to postponement of class caused by inclement weather, instructor illness, etc., or due to the pace of the course.
- Problem Set 1 due: Sunday, October 13, 2024 by 10pm
- Problem Set 2 due: Sunday, October 27, 2024 by 10pm
- 1-2 paragraph paper proposal due: Monday, November 1, 2023
- Midterm exam: Monday, November 6, 2024
- Term paper outline due: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
- Term paper presentation: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Problem Set 3 due: Sunday, November 24, 2024 by 10pm
- Final Exam: Monday, December 9, 2024
- Final term paper due: Friday, December 13, 2024
Other Dates
- The last day to drop this course is: October 18, 2024.
- The last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” from this course is: November 25, 2024. Students who wish to exercise this option must request a W from their adviser in writing by 5pm the Monday of the ninth week of instruction or the day before the final project/exam is due, whichever is earlier.
Tentative Class Schedule
| Week | Subject | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (9/30-10/2): | Overview – Inequality Trends in the U.S. and around the Globe | 1&2 |
| Week 2 (10/7): | Positive and Normative Frameworks for Thinking about Inequality | 1 |
| Week 2 (10/9): | Social Mobility | 2 |
| Week 3 (10/14): | The Role of Education and Skills | 1 |
| Week 3 (10/16): | Familial Influences–Families, Children, and Early Environments | 2 |
| Week 4 (10/21-23): | Race, Discrimination and Criminal Justice | 1&2 |
| Week 5 (10/28-30): | Geographic Disparities–Neighborhood Sorting and Segregation | 1&2 |
| Week 6 (11/4): | Unions, Minimum Wage and Worker Bargaining Power | 1 |
| Week 6 (11/6): | Globalization, Technological Change, and International Trade | 2 |
| Week 7 (11/11): | The One Percent – Wealth Concentration, Taxation, and Superstars | 1 |
| Week 7 (11/13): | The Political Landscape of Inequality – Elite Power, Media Influence, and Money in Politics | 2 |
| Week 8 (11/18): | Midterm Exam | 1 |
| Week 8 (11/20): | Topics on Inequality and Social Mobility by James J. Heckman | 2 |
| Week 9 (12/2-4): | Topics on Inequality and Social Mobility by James J. Heckman | 1&2 |