Economics of Technology

Course Description

Economic analysis of technological change. Topics include sources of productivity, inventive activity, entrepreneurship, innovation strategy, RD management, patenting, and technology assessment. Prerequisite: ECO 201; Notes: Students who have prior credit for ENT 312 may not take ECO 312 for credit.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Understand “market failures” and how those failures have can bring about a less than socially optimal level of funding – research and development (R&D) funding in particular – for the development and diffusion of new technologies into the economy.

  • Understand the economics foundations of technology and innovation activities

  • Understand the social implications of U.S. technology and innovation policy

  • Understand the international dimensions of U.S. technology and innovation policy

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure

Percentage/Points

Eight written assignments, each between ~250-500 words.

80%

Final Exam is a written assignment representing an amalgamation of the course.

20%

Grading Scale

Percentage

Letter Grade

90-100%

A

90-100%

A-

80-89%

B+

80-89%

B

80-89%

B-

70-79%

C+

70-79%

C

70-79%

C-

60-69%

D+

60-69%

D

60-69%

D-

< 60%

F

Attendance/Participation:

This is an online asynchronous course. Student participation is necessary through the weekly readings and assignments.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials need to be purchased by the student.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.