Baylor University
Economics 4325
Urban and Regional Economics
Fall
2002
Dr.
Tom Kelly
Office: A.301.2 Hankamer
Phone:
710-4146
Fax:
710-6142
E-Mail:
Tom_Kelly@baylor.edu
Home
Page: http://hsb.baylor.edu/html/kellyt/home.htm
Introduction
Urban economics is the study of the role that economics plays on the location and concentration of economic activity. It includes micro and macro economic theory, but with many practical applications. Urban areas are unique in that they are characterized by economic benefits as well as problems associated with population density. Upon completion of this course you will be more informed on the role that space has on economic decisions, including where you may locate a potential business or, in the vary least, elect to purchase a house.
The course is absolutely essential for entrepreneurs interested in locating a new business, for marketing majors interested in the role of population density on market demand, for real estate majors interested in patterns of land use and land values, for public administration majors interested in spatial dimensions of housing policy, poverty, transportation, and public finance, and for any person who eventually expects in invest in property in an urban setting. As an economist, I will illustrate numerous applications from my consulting activities.
Grading
The course will have four grades, made up of any combination of the following five possibilities:
1. Four exams, each worth 100 points, based upon material in the text (Mills and Hamilton, Urban Economics)
2. An optional 5-page double-spaced paper (with end note references) worth 100 points on a subject matter related to the course or an optional comprehensive final exam worth 100 points.
The topics and scheduled dates of the exams are in the following table. Review questions at the end of the chapters are similar to the ones given on each test (short-answer essay). Test your understanding of the chapter material with the review questions given in the table.
ECONOMICS 4325 URBAN (& REGIONAL) ECONOMICS
|
Beginning Dates |
Topics |
Chapter |
|
Aug. 26 |
The Nature of Urban Areas. Review questions for Chapter 1 The Origin of Cities: Central Place Theory |
|
|
Sept. 1 |
Comparative Advantage and Regions: |
|
|
Sept. 10 |
Urbanization and Economic Growth in the U.S. Review questions for Chapters 3 & 4 Growth Pole Theory: http://amos.bus.okstate.edu/pole/GPCCH09.html |
|
|
Sept. 17 |
Trends in Sizes and Structures of Urban Areas http://www.esri.com/data/online/newsweek/index.html |
|
|
Sept. 19 |
Exam on Chapters 1-4 |
|
|
Sept. 24 |
Introducing Land and Land Rents into Price Theory Review questions 1, 2, & 3 |
|
|
Oct. 1 |
Theoretical Analysis of Urban Structure Supplemental questions for chapters 5 & 6
|
|
|
Oct. 8 |
A Critical Examination of the Monocentric Model |
|
|
Oct. 12 |
Exam on Chapters 5 - 7 |
|
|
Oct. 15 |
The Problem of Poverty http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html Welfare reform an urban policy |
|
|
Oct. 19 |
Fall Break |
|
|
Oct. 22 |
The Market for Housing Review questions 1, 3, 4, & 5 |
|
|
Oct. 29 |
Housing Problems and Policies Review questions 1, 2, & 3 Housing policy research: http://www.fanniemaefoundation.org/ Section 8 administration http://www.fanniemaefoundation.org/programs/hpd/pdf/hpd_1202_katz.pdf |
|
|
Nov. 4 |
Exam 3 on Chapters 9-10 & 12 |
|
|
Nov. 6 |
Urban Transportation History of Urban Transportation Planning Journey-to-work modal choice model Review questions 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, & 9 |
|
|
Nov. 13 |
Local Government Review questions 2, 3, & 4 |
|
|
Nov. 20 |
Pollution and Environmental Quality Review questions 1, 3, & 4 |
|
|
Nov. 25 |
Urbanization in Developing Countries Review questions 2, 4, & 5 Supplemental questions on chapters 13 and parts of chapters 14 - 17 |
|
|
Nov. 27 |
Thanksgiving Holidays |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 9 |
Exam 4 on Chapters 13 and parts of 14, 15 & 17 Study Day (All papers due) |
|