ECON 7540

Economics of Networks: Theory

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2021-2022.

Many subfields in economics study various types of bilateral relationships between agents (e.g., friendships, favor-exchange, lending, etc.) and how the structure of those relationships affect aggregate outcomes (e.g., diffusion of technology, growth, propagation of financial shocks). This course aims to (1) give students a broad overview of economic and social networks as studied by economists, (2) introduce students to a selection of modern (primarily theoretical) in networks, and (3) prepare students to start their own research in this area. While the focus of the course is on the theory of networks, good research in this area is often motivated by an attempt to explain or contend with patterns uncovered by modern empirical work. We will therefore also consider empirical papers in finance, development economics, labor, media, etc.

When Offered Fall or Spring.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: one of the following: ECON 6090, ECON 6100, ECON 6110, or ECON 6822.

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