I have taught six classes at the University of Oregon in antitrust, industrial organization, and public economics. As a graduate teaching fellow, I have also led discussion sections and served as a teaching assistant for a variety of courses. Below you can find course summaries, materials, and student feedback.
EC 360: Issues in Industrial Organization
Spring 2019, Winter 2020, Spring 2020 (online), Fall 2020 (online)
This course is designed to provide you with an introduction to industrial organization and its role in antitrust law. The relationship between industry structure and overall performance is examined, as well as the idea of what is desirable in market outcomes and how to improve flawed market outcomes. The first half of the class focuses on basic monopoly and antitrust, while the second half discusses more complex market structures. Throughout the course, we will tie theory to real, relevant court cases in the United States. The class will be approximately equal parts math, graphing, discussing laws, and discussing court cases.
Student comments:
EC 460: Theories of Industrial Organization
Summer 2019
Industrial organization is the study of the behaviors of firms and consumers in individual markets. This course covers the theory of industrial organization and includes quantitative measures and institutional descriptions of American and global industry. The course emphasizes the determinants and consequences of market power.
Student comments:
EC 340: Issues in Public Economics
Summer 2018
In this course we develop and apply several tools to analyze public policy. Efficiency is a key concept and we study it in a variety of conditions: competitive markets, public goods, externalities, taxes, corruption, and more. By the end of the quarter you will be able to think critically about public issues from an economic perspective and improve your ability to analyze policy.
EC 201: Introduction to Microeconomics
This course examines how consumers, firms, and governments make decisions when facing scarce resources and how those decisions affect market outcomes, such as prices and output.
Student comments:
“I think that Brett did an amazing job leading the discussion over this term. He was very specific and to the point when teaching and he was always very thorough in answering the questions asked in class.”
“Brett should be teaching this class, this guy is incredible at teaching and is very engaging. The economics department should offer him a job teaching as soon as possible.”
“Very helpful. He made me understand the material way better than if I were to do it myself. He hit the key parts of lecture in the discussion which helped me out a lot in understanding concepts for the class.”
“He was great at explaining our questions in depth. I left class always understanding something I didn’t know before.”
“The instructor was very helpful and maximized discussion time very well. He explained things well and was willing to work with students when they did not understand something.”
“I think he did a very good job with the class, and he helped me learn so much.”
“He did a great job and he was extremely helpful and ‘to the point’. Best Graduate Teaching Fellow.”
EC 202: Introduction to Macroeconomics
This course examines the aggregate activity of a market economy, the problems that arise, such as inflation and unemployment, and how the government can use macroeconomic policy to address these problems.
Student comments:
“Brett was a fantastic instructor! He explained the information clearly and was very engaging with the class. I learned a lot in his discussion and would always leave with a better understanding of the topic.”
“Brett did an excellent job at explaining the curriculum we were learning. He provided lots of examples, and went slowly and clearly articulated the material. Brett did a great job at helping me better understand the curriculum. He was very effective in office hours and always responded to emails.”
“I really liked Brett as my section leader. He was always open to questions and/or repeating himself, and always available for help outside of class.”
“Brett led a great discussion section that gave us a better and deeper understanding of the material taught in class. I found discussions to be super helpful.”
“Worked in a manner that all students understand, which was a great environment to learn in. Very smart and articulate. Really enjoyed this discussion.”
“The leader is very reliable and trustworthy. He is very instructive and knows what he is doing. No areas of possible improvement.”
“Brett lays things out in a very easy way to understand and follow. He was able to break some of the more complex concepts down into easily digestible parts which were then easier to work through. You can tell that he really wants you to understand and succeed and he is willing to work with each student individually to ensure their needs are met.”
“Brett was super helpful during discussion. He guided the class through concepts in a clear and concise manner. Overall, my understanding of the class was much clearer thanks to Brett.”
EC 333: Resource and Environmental Economics
Fall 2016, Fall 2018
Economic analysis of replenishable and nonreplenishable natural resources; environmental issues and policies.
EC 535: Natural Resource Economics
Fall 2018
Applications of economic theory and empirical methods to natural resources problems: ecosystems and renewable resources (land, water, fisheries, forests); exhaustible resources (energy, minerals).
EC 201: Introduction to Microeconomics (online)
Fall 2017, Winter 2018, Spring 2018
Examines how consumers, firms, and governments make decisions when facing scarce resources and how those decisions affect market outcomes, such as prices and output.
EC 202: Introduction to Macroeconomics (online)
Fall 2017, Winter 2018, Spring 2018
Examines the aggregate activity of a market economy, the problems that arise, such as inflation and unemployment, and how the government can use macroeconomic policy to address these problems.
EC 380: International Economics (online)
Fall 2017, Winter 2018, Spring 2018
Exchange across international boundaries, theory of comparative advantage, balance of payments and adjustments, international financial movements, exchange rates and international financial institutions, trade restrictions and policy.
EC 330: Urban Economics
Spring 2018
Topics include urban and metropolitan growth, land use, race and poverty, education systems, slums and urban renewal, transportation, crime, and pollution and environmental quality.
EC 421: Introduction to Econometrics II
Winter 2018
Application of classical statistical techniques of estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression to economic models.
EC 551: Labor Economics
Fall 2017
Topics include the determination of wages, employment, and unemployment; globalization and immigration; income inequality; internal labor markets; the role of unions; human capital, education, and schools.
EC 311: Intermediate Microeconomics
Fall 2016
Consumer and firm behavior, market structures. General equilibrium theory, welfare economics, collective choice, rules for evaluating economic policy.