Public Policy

Courses Taught

• ECON 103 Principles of Microeconomics
  Courses provide general understanding of economic systems and economic analysis, with emphasis on the operation of the U.S. economy. Topics include the price system, theory of consumer behavior, theory of production, theory of the firm, income distribution, welfare economics, and the micro aspects of international trade.
• ECON 258 Energy and Security
  Energy fundamentals and security issues. Course covers technological, economic and political aspects of energy production originating from oil, coal, conventional gas, shale gas, nuclear power, hydropower and other renewable sources. It examines how energy resources affect the national security and shape the domestic as well as global political economy. Topics include national oil companies, government control and regulation, OPEC dynamics, oil reserves, pipeline politics, LNG international trade, water-energy nexus, climate change, critical energy infrastructure, terrorism, energy diplomacy. Prerequisites: Economics 103 or 105 (or equivalent); or permission of instructor. ECON 258 and PP 258 are cross-listed.
• ECON 342 Industrial Organization and Public Policy
  Application of microeconomic theory to the structure of industry. Course considers traditional, as well as recent and interdisciplinary theories of firm and industry behavior, with particular focus on oligopoly and game theory. Course also reviews the economic history of U.S. antitrust and regulatory policies and examines the effect of greater global interdependence. Students evaluate alternative policies for static economic efficiency, technological change, and equity. Prerequisite: Econ 241 and 245.
• ECON 344 Energy Economics & Public Policy
  This course explores the key aspects of energy supply and demand covering issues in electricity, natural gas and oil sectors of the economy. It discusses the role of markets, regulation and deregulation of the industry. The course addresses market design questions related to energy generation, transmission and distribution. It also provides an overview of economic institutions designed to control pollution emissions and examines other public policies affecting energy markets. Prerequisites:Econ 241 and 245. ECON 344 and PP 343 are cross-listed.
• ECON 420 Honors Research Seminar
  Seminar for students writing the senior theses. Each participant completes an original research project under the supervision of a faculty thesis adviser. Students discuss course readings, review research methods, and present and discuss their findings. Prerequisite: By department invitation only.
• FYS 178 An Experimental Avatar: Discovering Economics
  Microeconomic theory attempts to explain the decisions that individuals and firms make about spending time, money, and other scarce resources. In this experimental microeconomics seminar, students participate in a series of economic experiments designed to test hypotheses and develop models of economic behavior. Participants learn the core ideas in microeconomic theory by discussing and writing about experiences and observations.
• IDS 325 Interdisciplinary Course in London
  An interdisciplinary course taught in England by a Gettysburg College faculty member during the one-month presession to the Gettysburg in England program at Lancaster University. Topics and instructors vary annually.