ECON 027. Macroeconomic Policy Evaluation

What are the macroeconomic effects of changes in tax rates? How can we analyze news such as the monthly “jobs report”? This course uses theoretical and empirical macroeconomic models to analyze policy questions and understand macroeconomic news in the U.S. It builds on and reviews concepts from intermediate macroeconomic and econometrics and introduces extensions as needed. The goal is to apply these models to analyze policy topics such as fiscal multipliers, fiscal consolidation, or structural reforms, as well as select macroeconomic news releases. The course focuses on a positive analysis of the main economic forces, but also discusses welfare effects. Students explore applications independently through computer exercises and class projects.
Prerequisite: ECON 021, ECON 031 or its equivalent.
Social sciences.
1 credit.
Spring 2026. Staff.
Catalog chapter: Economics
Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/economics

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