Fall 2006 Course Description
Advanced Policy Economics
| Section Title: |
Economics of Urban and Regional Policy |
| Instructor(s): |
Robert Wilson |
| Course: |
P A 393L - Advanced Policy Economics
(previously Political Economy II) |
| Unique Number: |
65470 |
| Day & Time: |
Mondays, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Room: |
SRH 3.102 |
| Waitlist Information: | For LBJ Students: UT Waitlist Information
For Non LBJ Students: LBJ School Waitlist Instructions |
| Notes: |
Cross-list with GRG 396T |
This course fulfills requirements for the following specialization(s):
- Natural Resources and the Environment
- Public Management and Leadership
- Urban and State Affairs
Description: This course fulfills requirements for the following specialization(s):
- Public Management and Leadership
- Technology, Innovation, and Information Policy
- Urban and State Affairs
Description: Economic structure and rates of economic growth vary across space, as observed in urban-rural, center city-suburb and interregional differentials. This course explores the theoretical explanations and empirical analyses of the functioning of spatial economies and provides a conceptual and analytical framework for investigating those aspects of urban and regional economies that are relevant to local, regional, and federal policy issues.
The course is introduced through a discussion of the evolution of the spatial economy and of urban form in the United States. The effects of recent structural economic change, linked in part to changes in the world economy, on cities and regions will be examined as well as contemporary trends in poverty, income, education, and race/ethnic inequalities. The role and functioning of the urban land market as an allocative mechanism and economic considerations of transportation and land use patterns are discussed.
In the following segment examines various analytical techniques--including location quotients, shift share analysis, input-output models, and regional econometric models--used in spatial analysis. This segment reviews theoretical and conceptual explanations for uneven economic development across space and to theories of urban and regional economic growth..
The final segment of the course is concerned with recent changes in intergovernmental relations and patterns of governance that affect cities, and, especially prospects for urban development. The course is most appropriate for students with interests in urban policy, regional and urban development, and state and local government. Although the course focuses principally on the US, some attention is given to spatial economics and urban policy in other countries and students can choose to write papers on non-US regions and policy issues.
Course Requirements & Student Evaluations:Students are evaluated on four pieces of work: mid-term and final examinations and two short papers, one involving the empirical analysis of an urban economy and a second research paper on a policy issue.
Course web site:
uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rhwilson/pe2/index.htmlReturn to Fall 2006 Course Schedule
