Using Big Data to Solve Economic and Social Problems
ECON 50
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
This course will show how "big data" can be used to understand and address some of the most important social and economic problems of our time. The course will give students an introduction to frontier research and policy applications in economics and social science in a non-technical manner that does not require prior coursework in Economics or Statistics, making it suitable both for students exploring Economics for the first time and more advanced students. Topics include equality of opportunity, education, innovation and entrepreneurship, health care, climate change, and crime. In the context of these topics, the course will also provide an introduction to basic methods in data science, including regression, causal inference, and machine learning. The course will include discussions with leading practitioners who use big data in real-world applications.
Course Notes
Formerly Economics 1152 and Economics 50a
Class Notes
When you enroll in Economics 50, you will select a lab time and type of lab. Labs will be offered in Stata and R/R Studio. Labs starting with “S” are Stata labs. Labs starting with “R” are R labs.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
