PhD

The PhD Core courses focus on economic theory, game theory, advanced statistics/econometrics, political economy, and quantitative modeling. Students take three courses per quarter. Core courses are arranged in a sequence, with a three-quarter sequence in econometrics, a two-quarter sequence in microeconomics, and a single course in game theory. More information about the PhD program and Core requirements is available on the PhD program webpage and in the PhD student policies and procedures manual, which is accessible from that page.

Below are the details of the autumn quarter Core course as they currently stand. Because all students will participate in the courses together regardless of location, we made attempts to schedule courses at times that were accessible to students the time zones where we expect most of our students will be – Chicago, India, and China. We will share the final schedule of course sections with students in advance of pre-registration, which will take place September 7-10.

You can see the syllabi for these courses from 2020-21 on the Harris courses page. The content of these courses will be largely the same, but the delivery methods will be different. Updated 2021 course syllabi will be posted to the Harris courses page in late summer.

Students who believe they have covered the material from a PhD Core course in prior coursework can petition to waive the course. They should submit a waiver request via this form, being sure to upload the syllabus from the course(s) previously taken that match the content of the course in question. The faculty director will review requests. If approved, the student will need to take and pass a version of the final exam for the course in order to be allowed to waive. Waivers for Harris PhD courses are rare and substitutions are not accepted. 

The winter quarter modality may differ and will be determined at a later date.

Course Details:

PPHA 41501 Game Theory

Instructor(s):

This course will offer one section for all students in the PhD and MACRM programs.  The course will be delivered in “dual modality” format -  a course delivery method where one course section is taught in two modalities simultaneously: some students participate in the course in-person and some students participate in the course virtually. Students who are unable to attend in person due to inability to get a visa, travel restrictions, or health issues will participate virtually.

The course will have two course meetings each week – currently scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30-9:50am Chicago time. Both remote and in person students are expected to attend the class live. 

In addition to the scheduled class sessions, there may be additional TA sessions. Students can discuss how to do the problem sets with each other, but must turn in individually written work.

PPHA 42000 Applied Econometrics I

Instructor(s):

This course will offer one section for all students in the PhD and MACRM programs.  The course will be delivered in “dual modality” format -  a course delivery method where one course section is taught in two modalities simultaneously: some students participate in the course in-person and some students participate in the course virtually. Students who are unable to attend in person due to inability to get a visa, travel restrictions, or health issues will participate virtually.

The course will have two course meetings each week – currently scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00-9:30pm Chicago time. Both remote and in person students are expected to attend the class live.  In addition to the class meetings there will also be required TA sessions.

PPHA 44100 Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis I

Instructor(s):

This course will offer one section for all students in the PhD and MACRM programs.  The course will be delivered in “dual modality” format -  a course delivery method where one course section is taught in two modalities simultaneously: some students participate in the course in-person and some students participate in the course virtually. Students who are unable to attend in person due to inability to get a visa, travel restrictions, or health issues will participate virtually.

The course will have one weekly meeting, currently scheduled for Fridays 8:30a.m. - 9:50a.m. Chicago time. The course will also have a weekly pre-recorded lecture that students can watch on their own schedule. Both remote and in person students are expected to attend the class live. 

In addition to the class meetings there will also be an optional (but strongly recommended) weekly TA session. Students can complete problem sets in groups. 

Note: PhD students in the energy and environmental policy area of focus will take the Economics Department’s Core Price Theory PhD class in the fall rather than Harris’s Game Theory course (such students will cover game theory later in the academic year as part of the Department’s core microeconomics sequence).