Economics

Ph.D., M.A.
University of Florida
2016

Economics, Political Science

B.S.
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
2002

Applied Microeconomic, Health Economics, International Economics

ECON 001: Principles of Economics I

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the basic principles of macroeconomic theory and policy. Principles of Economics I is the first course of a two semester course sequence in introductory economics.  These courses introduce the student to the basic principles of economic theory and policy.  Economics is a systematic discipline, which studies the production and distribution of goods and services in a world with unlimited human aspirations but finite productive resources.  How economists conceptualize the diverse problems arising from the tension between unlimited desires and fixed resources will be discussed.  The basic methods of thought and tools of analysis which economists use will be described.  The students will be introduced to the important policy issues which make economics a lively and controversial field.The main body of economic theory is typically divided into macroeconomics and microeconomics.  Principles I is mainly focused on macroeconomics, the study of how aggregate (large) units of the economy behave.  Macroeconomics studies the behavior of such important aggregate variables as total household consumption and savings, total business investment, government expenditures, the level of wages and employment, and the overall stock of money and credit.  Macroeconomic theory studies these questions by dividing the economy into three types of inter-related markets; the market for labor, the market for goods and services, and the market for monetary and financial assets.  Macroeconomic policy is concerned with unemployment, inflation, economic growth, and economic equity at the national level. On the other hand, microeconomics (principles of economics II) is concerned with the study of individual households and firms, and specific industries and markets.

ECO 158 & ECOG 233: Health Economics

This course will introduce students to Health Economics and engage them in a discussion covering several topics in empirical and theoretical health economics and health policy. The course will introduce students to the various ways in which economists explore various health topics, for example, health outcomes, the demand for healthcare, health disparities, externalities of health outcomes, healthcare delivery systems domestically and abroad, mental health, and health policies. Throughout the course, we will utilize several microeconomic tools to support our analysis further.

ECOG 245: International Economics II

The objective of this course is to engage students in a discussion covering several advanced topics in empirical and theoretical in international trade & policy. Having already taken International Economics I this course will aim to build off of that knowledge and challenge you to think critically and perform meaningful research. The bulk of the material will focus on trade and welfare effects. We will cover topics such as the economics of tariffs and quotas; North-South models; technology transfer; and strategic trade policy. To successfully meet the aim of the course students are expected to read all assigned articles in advance to ensure proper classroom discussion.

ECOG 249: International Economics III

The objective of this graduate course is to engage students in discussions covering several advanced topics in open economy macroeconomics. Students will be expected to develop the analytic framework to adequately analyze real-world problems. Some of the topics include the balance of payments, exchange rate determination, foreign direct investments and capital movements. The primary goal of the course is to build off of the theoretical framework students learned in the second half of International Economics I. This course is geared for doctoral students who are considering or planning on incorporating aspects of these topics in their dissertation.