Economics of Innovation

Harvard Summer School

ECON S-1816

Section 1

CRN 35844

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The goal of this course is to give broad insight into the economic effects of invention and innovation. Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman once noted that while productivity isn't everything, it is in the long run, almost everything. A country's ability to improve its standard of living over time depends almost entirely on its ability to raise its output per worker. Doing so increasingly demands leveraging the power of invention and innovation to boost workforce productivity across industries like energy, medicine, and transportation. Innovations in each of these sectors have produced drills that can bore deeper, drugs that have a longer shelf life, and airplanes that can fly further than in decades prior. These innovations, and others like them, have over time fundamentally altered the economic status quo. This course explores the consequences—both good and bad—that invention and innovation has on consumers, firms, and governments.

Instructor Info

Ashley Nunes, PhD

Associate of the Department of Economics, Harvard University


Meeting Info

MW 12:00pm - 3:00pm (6/23 - 8/8)

Participation Option: On Campus

Deadlines

Last day to register: June 17, 2025

Prerequisites

ECON S-10ab or the equivalent.

Notes

Open to admitted Secondary School Program students by petition. Harvard College students: This course is eligible for degree credit, but see important policy information.

Syllabus

All Sections of this Course

CRN Section # Participation Option(s) Instructor Section Status Meets Term Dates
35844 1 On Campus Ashley Nunes Open MW 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Jun 23 to Aug 8