WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Michael S. Hanson
Department of Economics

HOME TEACHING RESEARCH LINKS OTHER



Economics 385: Course Outline
Below is a list of topics and readings for Econ 385. The textbook Introductory Econometrics by Wooldridge is denoted by [W]; A Guide to Econometrics (4th edition) by Kennedy is denoted by [K]. (Earlier editions of Kennedy's text may cover most of the topics below, but not necessarily with the same level of detail -- or using the same chapter numbers.)

This outline is meant to be a very rough guide only; we will modify it as the semester goes on. The dates for the various assignments, however, are not expected to change.

Outline:

  1. Introduction and Review
    1. Introduction to Econometrics: [W] ch 1, 19, appendix A; [K] ch 1.
    2. Review of Statistics: [W] appendix B, C; [K] ch 2, appendix A, B.
    3. Simple Linear Regression Model: [W] ch 2.

  2. Multiple Regression Analysis: Cross-Sectional
    1. Model under "Ideal Conditions"
      1. Estimation: [W] ch 3; [K] ch 3.
      2. Inference: [W] ch 4, appendix D, E; [K] ch 4, 11.
      3. Asymptotics: [W] ch 5; [K] appendix C.

    2. Extensions to the Multiple Regression Model
      1. Non-linear Models and Specification Tests: [W] ch 6, 9; [K] ch 5, 6.
      2. Dummy Variables: [W] ch 7; [K] ch 14.
      3. Heteroskedasticity: [W] ch 8; [K] ch 8.
      4. Qualitative and Limited Dependent Variables: [W] ch 17; [K] ch 15, 16.

  3. Multiple Regression Analysis: Time Series
    1. Basic Concepts: [W] ch 10.
    2. Stationarity, Persistence, Cointegration: [W] ch 11, 18; [K] ch 17.
    3. Serial Correlation: [W] ch 12; [K] ch 8.
    4. Forecasting: [W] ch 18; [K] ch 18.

  4. Additional Topics
    1. Panel Data Techniques: [W] ch 13, 14.
    2. Instrumental Variables: [W] ch 15; [K] ch 9.
    3. Simultaneous Equations: [W] ch 16; [K] ch 10.
    4. Robust Estimation: [K] ch 19.
    5. Bayesian Techniques: [K] ch 13.

Important Dates:
  Thursday, February 21 Prospectus (in class)
  Thursday, March 7 Midterm Exam (in class)
  Thursday, March 28 Outline & Data Summary (in class)
  Friday, April 19 First Draft of Research Paper Due (by 4 PM)
  Tuesday, May 7 Final Draft of Research Paper Due (by 4 PM)
  Wednesday, May 15 Final Exam (2 - 5 PM, PAC 125)



  Return to the Economics 385 Course Homepage


Created: Wednesday, January 23, 2002
Updated: Wednesday, January 23, 2002
Version: 1.0.0b

Copyright ©1999 - 2002, Michael Steven Hanson