Are you passionate about social justice, or perhaps skeptical of social justice claims? Either way, join our Economics of Social Justice course to discover how economic principles can provide valuable insights into today’s most pressing social justice issues. The course will run from April 1st to April 28th.
Course Format
This fully online course (1 credit) begins with survey questions, allowing students to share their perspectives on the day’s topic. A core lecture then highlights key insights and findings from economic research. Afterward, students submit a brief reflection essay to deepen their understanding.
Course Overview
The course “Economics of Social Justice” examines the intersection of economic principles with key social justice issues. Through theoretical frameworks and empirical analysis, we will explore complex topics such as the gender pay gap, racial discrimination, corporate monopolies, global poverty, income inequality, and climate change.
Students will explore how economic tools can clarify tradeoffs and policy implications, analyzing social justice issues through an economic lens. A core focus will be cultivating the “economic way of thinking,” which promotes a structured approach to evaluating social justice arguments by applying key concepts such as tradeoff and opportunity cost, marginal analysis, incentives and equilibrium, and the distinction between correlation and causation.
This course encourages the exploration of diverse perspectives. It is not designed to advocate for a particular viewpoint or to reach consensus on complex issues. Rather, it aims to foster intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and analytical rigor. By understanding economic mechanisms behind social justice issues, students will be better equipped to assess policies, engage in informed debate, and contribute thoughtfully to societal discourse.
ECON-E307 Economics of Social Justice
1 credit | Online | Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Jaesoo Kim
Spring 2025: April 1 – April 28
Questions? Contact Dr. Jaesoo Kim.