In this class we will investigate effects of socio-economic inequality on well-being and sustainability. A thriving literature analyses the development of income inequality over time, its determinants, and its consequences. The aim of this class is to read several significant contributions to these fields, and discuss their implications. Specifically, the first part of the course focuses on recent trends in income inequality. We will also briefly discuss inequality by gender and race. The second and largest part looks at the effects of inequality on various outcomes, like crime, consumerism, household indebtedness, and the environment. The third part investigates the determinants of income inequality, and options policy makers have to address high inequality.

On successful completion of the course, students will know:

• About recent trends in income inequality in and between countries, and understand the core-differences between various measures of inequality.
• How inequality affects our society, economy, and environment.
• Key determinants of income inequality, and how policy makers can tackle inequality without causing significant unintended side effects.
• Basics about causality and credible identification strategies.
• How to (critically) read academic articles.

Examination-immanent courses (PI) have compulsory attendance.
In case of absence the lecturer is to be informed in advance if possible.
More detailed regulations on absenteeism will be explained in the first unit.

• Lectures
• Student group presentations
• Class discussions
• Videos
• Note: Students are required to read, present, and discuss academic articles.

• Presentation (40%)
• Prepared comment on other group's presentation (10%)
• Discussion questions on readings (15%)
• Short quizzes on previous class (15%) 
• Class participation (20%) 
• Note on attendance: The first three sections provide crucial inputs and participation is important. There will regularly be small quizzes on the readings and presentations, and class participation is a relevant part of the final grade.

Course enrollment is on the basis of "first-come, first-served” principle. If you have registered but cannot participate in the course, please de-register via LPIS during the registration period so that your course is available to students on the waiting list.

If there is a waiting list for enrollment in the course, students at the waiting list will be notified after the end of the enrollment period, and will be allocated to available places. Students will be ranked by their study progress not by their rank on the waiting list.

This procedure, however, is not to be understood as a place guarantee!

Students are required to read, present, and discuss academic articles and papers on covered topics. Some of these papers apply empirical methods. Students are not required to know these methods to accomplish this class, since the focus lies on the intuition and big picture of these papers. It helps, however, if they are interested in learning how to interpret empirical findings.

simon.sturn@wu.ac.at