Studying Economics at Kenyon
Why are buffalo almost extinct but cattle so plentiful? Do government deficits mortgage our children’s future? Does an increase in the minimum wage help unskilled workers? These are some of the questions economists try to answer.
Economics students learn to build, test and revise models of behavior — of consumers, firms, workers and the government — and examine how these agents interact in markets, both at the individual level in microeconomic analysis and at the economy-wide level in macroeconomic analysis.
By integrating theory, analytical models, data, quantitative research methods and public policy issues, the economics professors at Kenyon help students understand and predict social behavior in the world around them. Students then are able to analyze important social problems like unemployment, pollution, race and gender discrimination, and inflation. This analysis allows them to intelligently evaluate public-policy proposals that are offered as solutions to these problems.
Featured Courses
Principles of Microeconomics
What do people mean when they say “supply and demand,” “free trade” or “opportunity cost”? What’s the difference between price and cost? This course presents theories of consumer and producer behavior and shows how these theories can be used to predict the consequences of individual, business and government actions.
Economics of Women and Work
How has the role of women in the labor market changed over time? Comparing labor supply, wage rates, occupational choices and unemployment levels, and examining public policy proposals that are aimed at remedying gender differences, we evaluate economic models that attempt to explain differences among labor market outcomes for men and women.
Game Theory
Game theory is the study of strategic interactions between parties. In this class, we discuss dominant strategies, Nash equilibria and more, as well as applications to decision-making, bargaining and negotiation, and politics. We’ll demonstrate many of these applications using in-class games with real cash incentives.
Environmental Economics
How can economic analysis help us to better understand the nature of environmental issues such as pollution and the allocation of natural resources? Examine the economic rationale behind policies aimed at improving the quality of the environment and altering our use of natural resources.
From Game Theory to Board Game
Ascension Hall
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio 43022