| Assignment | Weight |
|---|---|
| Homework | 15% |
| Midterm | 25% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Research Proposal | 25% |
Syllabus
Instructor
Course details
- M, W
- 2:40pm - 3:55pm
- Duke 201
- Teams
Course overview
Application of descriptive and inferential statistics to the measurement and testing of various economic models. Diagnosis and correction of various problems with empirical research: specification errors, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, serial correlation, and simultaneity. Statistical software used to implement estimation techniques.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Causal Inference: Students will be able to distinguish between correlation and causation and understand how econometrics contributes to establishing causal relationships in economic phenomena.
Regression: Students will acquire the skills to perform regression analysis, interpret regression output, identify and address common issues such as heteroskedasticity and multicollinearity, and critically evaluate and provide constructive feedback on regression results presented by others.
Software: Using the R programming language, students will develop the ability to clean, manipulate, and analyze economic data, enabling them to undertake independent econometric research and effectively communicate their findings.
Research: Students will develop the ability to formulate relevant research questions, conduct comprehensive literature reviews, construct theoretical frameworks, specify appropriate econometric models and hypotheses, culminating in a holistic understanding of the foundational steps involved in conducting econometric research.
Course materials
This course has two key sets of materials:
Introduction to Econometrics by Stock and Watson, 4th edition, and Pearson MyLab access.
The materials contained in our positCloud classroom space.
Course schedule
Our course schedule can be found on the schedule page. Each class is associated with a textbook chapter (generally we devote two class sessions to each chapter). Midterm and final exam dates can also be found on this page. Please see our Canvas site for the dates of particular assignments.
Course policies
Accomodations
If you are a student with a disability that qualifies for academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, contact Academic Success and Accessibility (ASA). ASA is located on the ground floor of the Armacost Library, down the hall from the Jones Computer Center (past the restrooms). You can reach the office at 909-748-8069 or asa@redlands.edu and online here.
Late work and make-up exams
Late work will be accepted within 48 hours of its due date, however it will receive a maximum grade of 85/%.
Exam dates are posted on the schedule and can be rescheduled only with advance notice and with sufficient documented emergency.
Academic honesty
The University of Redlands Academic Catalog has a complete statement of our policy on Academic Honesty. I strongly suggest you familiarize yourself with it.If you are ever unsure whether you are “borrowing” or “plagiarizing” please ask me. Cases of plagiarism if submitted without question will be reported to the college, will result in a failing grade for the course, and probably won’t do you much good on the type of assignments I give anyway.
Devices in the classroom
A laptop will be really helpful for our in-class coding exercises. If you don’t have one, they can be borrowed for the semester from Armacost Library and a few other sources (please get in touch with me for the latest). In other words, please bring your devices to class! I do however ask that you not use your smartphone during class time.
Emotional Well Being
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides free and confidential mental health services, including short-term individual therapy, group therapy, single session therapy, consultations, and urgent appointments to all students with in-person or virtual options. Our Counseling Center is committed to inclusivity and to providing a supportive space for everyone. Please call 909-748-8108 to schedule an appointment or email counseling_center@redlands.edu If a student is in crisis, please call 909-748-8960 for the 24/7 mental health crisis line. For more information on our resources, go here. Another option for individual therapy for all students is TimelyCare, which provides virtual therapy immediately (Talk Now) or up to 12 scheduled virtual therapy sessions per year. Students can choose their therapist from a list of providers for the scheduled therapy option.
Conflict Resolution Center
Experiencing a conflict? Whether it’s with a friend, roommate, another member of a student organization, or faculty or staff member, conflicts happen. Learning to navigate conflicts is important to success in virtually any field, and a vital step in being a part of a community and having healthy, meaningful relationships with others. See here for more information.
CARE Team
The University CARE Team exists to help provide support and resources to students that are overwhelmed, experiencing significant distress, or possibly present some risk to themselves or others. As a faculty member, I may reach out to students about whom I am concerned to talk individually, and/or refer them to the CARE Team. If you have concerns about a fellow student, consider sharing your concern with the CARE Team via their online form. This is part of who we are as a caring, proactive community where we all look out for one another. Additionally, if you feel that you or someone else needs immediate mental health support, the University has a 24/7 mental health crisis line at 909-748-8960, and the Timely Care app, which offers on-demand emotional care. Both services connect to a live, licensed counselor.
Basic needs and campus resources
The University offers a number of resources for students who may be experiencing financial emergencies or impediments. I’ve compiled a full list of resources here.
Office of Equity and Title IX
In order to provide a safe and equitable learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking) are not tolerated at the University of Redlands. The University prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment (as defined in the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation) on the basis of age, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, pregnancy, status as a complaining party of domestic violence, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion/creed, citizenship status (except to comply with legal requirements for employment), military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you or someone you know has experienced or experiences any of these behaviors, know that you are not alone. You can contact the Office of Equity and Title IX for reporting options, supportive measures, and resources to support you.
All faculty and staff at the University of Redlands are considered “Responsible Employees,” which means that if you tell me about a situation involving any of the above, I must report the matter to the Office of Equity and Title IX. Although I make that report, you are in control of how you would like to proceed, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal complaint. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of reporting options available to you and have access to the support and resources you need.
Reporting
To report an incident directly, you can:
• Contact the Interim Director of Equity & Title IX, Christopher Jones, at 909-748-8289 or titleix@redlands.edu
• Report online at: www.redlands.edu/titleixandequity
You can also report to local law enforcement at 909-798-7681, ext. 1. If you are ever in immediate danger, please call 911 or email/text 911@redlandspolice.org if you cannot call.
To reach Public Safety on campus, call 909-748-8888 or use the Rave Guardian app.
Resources
If you wish to speak to someone confidentially (meaning not connecting with the Office of Equity and Title IX Office), you can contact the following resources:
Campus:
Counseling Center: 909-748-8108 or 24-Hour Crisis Line: 909-748-8960
TimelyCare, 24/7 emotional support; 12 free telehealth counseling sessions
Community:
Partners Against Violence, 24-hour sexual assault crisis line: 909-885-8884
Option House, 24-hour dating/domestic violence crisis line: 909-381-3471
Online:
https://www.rainn.org/ (sexual assault);
https://www.loveisrespect.org/
For more information, visit www.redlands.edu/titleixandequity
Assignments and grades
Assignments can be found on both the schedule page and can be found by using the left hand links on the materials page.
Attendance
As in any in-person course, attendance and participation are important for a mastery of the course material. However, I understand that life circumstances can prevent students from being able to attend every class. Therefore, I have set aside 3 excused absences for all students to use in order to manage personal emergencies, wellness, disability, child care, etc. I don’t expect communication regarding your reason for missing class, as it may be personal in nature.
In our class survey, you can let me know about expected absences due to religious holidays or other personal conflicts with class time. During the first week of class, we will discuss how to access course materials and make up class activities for any absences. In the first week of class I will ask you to form groups for both problem set work and note taking. Thus if you miss a class you should ask your group to share notes.
If your circumstances require you to exceed this number of excused absences, please contact me to discuss whether you are able to effectively meet the learning goals of the course or if you need to consider a reduced course load, a course withdrawal or a medical leave of absence.
Problem Sets
Problem sets will be regularly assigned and will include short answer, mathematical, and data questions. I will ask you to form groups for problem set work, although each problem set will be graded individually. These will be graded by problem in MyLab.
Midterm
Our midterm will be held in-class and the date can be found on our course schedule. It will cover Chapters 1-7 of our textbook.
Final Exam
Our final exam will be held in-class and will have two hours alloted. The date and time can be found on our course schedule. The final exam will be cumulative.
Research Proposal
I will ask you to develop a proposal for an econometric research project. This process involves question formation, literature review, identifying data, and specifying an econometric approach. Ideally you will then be ready to execute the project as a senior thesis, should you choose to do so.
Grading
| Grade | Range | Grade | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 93–100% | C | 73–76% |
| A− | 90–92% | C− | 70–72% |
| B+ | 87–89% | D+ | 67–69% |
| B | 83–86% | D | 63–66% |
| B− | 80–82% | D− | 60–62% |
| C+ | 77–79% | F | < 60% |