Courses and Workshops

Economics to Know Before the Election

Jon Haveman
Tuesday, Jun. 4, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Repeats every Tuesday until Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024
Price: $155.00
65 slots available
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Economics plays a central role in the functioning of every aspect of society. This course will address a set of prominent policy issues where economics is at their core. We will explore their origins as policy matters, the underlying data and evidence, and what policy levers are available to deal with them. 

Week 1: U.S. Economic Update

This talk will provide evidence on the current state of the U.S. economy. It will focus on a set of economic indicators, including GDP, employment, and industrial production. 

Week 2: The Economics of Immigration

Immigration is a policy issue with both social and economic implications. Economics has something to say about both. 

Week 3: The Federal Debt

The US federal debt has been increasing rapidly and is poised to grow more in the coming years. 

Week 4: Tax Rebellions, Scoundrels, and Revenues

Taxes of one form or another have been around for nearly as long as any form of organized government. The historical evidence on taxation is informative, perhaps humorous, and often misunderstood. 

Faculty Bio

Jon Haveman is the Executive Director of the National Economic Education Delegation (NEED). An expert on economic policy, Dr. Haveman holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan.

This is an In-Person, Livestreamed + Recorded Course

  • Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 202/204, at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
  • Classes will also stream live simultaneously, and be video recorded
  • You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program

Schedule Highlights

  • Course starts on Tuesday, June 4, and ends on Tuesday, June 25
  • Classes meet for 4 weeks, 2 hours per session (10–noon)
  • Videos will post on Fridays in Member Dashboards
  • All course materials, including videos, will remain available to view and enjoy through Aug. 31

Member Praise for Jon Haveman

Jon is an excellent instructor! The material is so relevant to so many aspects of my life and contributed enormously to my knowledge of the economy and my future actions.

Excellent slides and comments; very good at handling audience questions. Found Jon and the course extremely valuable; I learned A LOT!!! Thank you.

Faculty Q&A