classroom

Community Activist? Free Eight-Week Course Starts Saturday, Oct. 4

This course, fully funded by the Charles Koch Foundation and designed by Cal State Northridge economist Shirley Svorny, will run for eight Saturdays from Oct. 4 to Nov. 22 from 8:30 – 11:30 am on the CSUN campus. Brunch is included.

The objective is to expose individuals with an interest in public policy – including community activists, political staffers, students studying political science, or just voters – to the economic way of thinking.

Oct. 4 The Basics of Economic Policy Analysis
Oct. 11 Why is healthcare so expensive in the U.S.?
Oct. 18 Social Security, Medicaid, Pensions: Can we make good on the promises?
Oct. 25 Trade and Immigration
Nov. 1 The Contribution of Public Institutions to Private Society
Nov. 8 How to be a Careful Consumer of Economic Information
Nov. 15 Policies for a Prosperous Populace (labor market policies, environmental policies, as examples)
Nov. 22 The Great Recession: Financial Regulation and the Banking System

We hope, upon completion, students will be able to:

  1. Critically analyze policy initiatives.
  2. Explain the effect of institutions and policies on incentives and outcomes.
  3. Distinguish the benefits and costs of policy proposals.
  4. Evaluate the consequences of specific public policies and regulations.
  5. Question whether data or other empirical findings have been falsely presented to justify a specific policy initiative.

To sign up (25 participants will be selected):
Contact Shirley at [email protected]. Or you may reach her at 818-677-4504 (leave a message).