We will closely read Thomas Piketty's major 2013 publication Capital in the 21st Century as a framework for understanding the economics of inequality in this seminar course. We will develop key concepts for measuring and monitoring economic inequality. We will explore the mechanisms linking inequality and economic development, answering questions like the following: how does inequality change over the course of economic change and development? how does inequality hinder economic development? What kinds of public policies influence the evolution of inequality? We will draw upon a variety of secondary data sources to analyze inequality in the US and comparative international contexts. The principal deliverable for the course will involve primary data collection and analysis related to inequality in the local Monterey context.

While there are no specific prerequisites for this course, we will develop quantitative tools and concepts. Intensive and collaborative group work will be a key component of our course work. This course satisfies both the "economics" and "development paradigms" basket requirements of the two Development Practice & Policy degrees (MA IPD, MPA).

The 4-unit version is the only version that will meet either the economic or the seminar requirement. Students can use this course to satisfy either of these two requirements, but not both.