We have a great line-up of CFE-sponsored courses for fall 2018, and some of the courses are now offered in two sections to give you some additional scheduling flexibility.
New or new-ish courses
We are very excited about a new course called Financial Writing and Analysis (180.248) taught by a master of the subject, Floyd Norris, former lead financial colulmnist for the New York Times. Quick summary:
There is an immense chasm between economic and financial commentary in academic discussions and that provided by private sector analysts and the press. Sorting out which bits of each style of analysis are most valuable and synthesizing them into a coherent commentary is a rare and valuable skill. This is a hands-on course with a goal of building skills reading and writing commentary in financial economics. The course begins critically studying commentary regarding prominent topics in the news over the recent months and then moves to writing “explainer” pieces for publication on the Center for Financial Economics blog. Students will work in teams both analyzing commentary, and writing and critiquing the work of fellow students.
Floyd will also be offering his popular course, Rethinking Economics after the Great Recession (180.238). Both of Floyd’s courses count as writing intensive.
Kevin Heerdt will be offering two sections of his course on the History and Future of the Hedge Fund Industry (180.280). This course is getting rave reviews.
Standard Courses
The regularly offered courses are,
- Investments 180.367
- International Monetary Economics 180.242
- Monetary Analysis (two sections) 180.261
- Financial Markets and Institutions 180.266
Investments is required for the financial econ. minor; the other listed courses are all electives for the minor.
As always, financial accounting (660.203) is offered by the CLE and serves as an elective for the minor.
Reality Roundtable
Finally, our 1-credit-hour course, Finance & Macroeconomy (180.372), will once again meet at noon on Wednesdays. Colloquially known as the reality roundtable, this class brings together faculty, undergrads and grad. students to eat lunch while trying to use our economic tools to analyze the often bizarre events going on in the world economy. If you’d like to be part of the reality roundtable, email Prof. Faust (faustj@jhu.edu).
To those of you not graduating, we look forward to seeing you in classes next fall. To the rest of you, keep in touch and best of luck.
