Advanced laboratory on monetary theory and policy

The course is designed to provide students with a way to organize their thinking about questions relating to monetary phenomena. These questions include, but are not limited to, the origin of monetary exchange, the nature of money and banking, the rationale for central banks, the determination of nominal exchange rates, the nature and threat of cryptocurrencies, and financial stability.

Students will be expected to provide coherent answers to questions that are regularly asked in relation to money, banking, financial markets, and monetary policy. Students will also be expected to learn and use simple theoretical constructs to help organize their thinking on such matters, while keeping in mind the limitations and provisional nature of theorizing. Students are also expected to become familiar with accessing large macroeconomic databases to help inform discussions, debates and interpretations.