Week: 23 February - 29 February | Economic Issues in North America

Section outline

Conceptual thinking about the economy 23.2.2016

Basic terminology, homo economicus, economic analysis, regression analysis, economy and society

Mandatory texts:

Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner: Freakonomics. A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, Penguin Books, 2006. (levitt_freakonomics.pdf)

Stefan Schneider: Homo economicus - or more like Homer Simpson? Deutche Bank Research, 2010.

Optional text (example of regression analysis in practice):

Frederic W. Mayer: Interpreting NAFTA. Science and Art of Political Analysis, Columbia University Press, 1999. (mayer-part1.pdf)

Rafael Reuveny, Uneven Economic Growth and the World, Economy’s North–South Stratification, International Studies Quarterly (2008) 52, 579–605.

Useful links for regression analysis:

Linear regression analysis in Excel:

Linear regression analysis in program R:

Multiple regression analysis in Excel:

Multiple regression analysis in program R:

Program R (free download):

http://www.rstudio.com

Bonus recommended for beginners:
Story of Stuff, Full Version; How Things Work, About Stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8&feature=related
- Select activity levitt_freakonomics
  
  levitt_freakonomics File
- Select activity Schneider_homo_economicus
  
  Schneider_homo_economicus File
- Select activity Intro_ppt
  
  Intro_ppt File
- Select activity Newsletter 1
  
  Newsletter 1 Forum
- Select activity Mayer: Interpreting NAFTA, Part 1
  
  Mayer: Interpreting NAFTA, Part 1 File
- Select activity Reuveny-North-South
  
  Reuveny-North-South File
- Select activity Regression Analysis
  
  Regression Analysis File