#  Junior Seminars 

 



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These faculty-led seminars introduce students to research in a particular area and prepare them to undertake their own research. Junior seminars (ECON 980) require a research paper. Seniors are welcome to take junior seminars, but juniors may be prioritized if there is a lottery.

Prerequisites: intermediate micro and macro (Ec 1010ab/1011ab), statistics, and econometrics (concurrent enrollment in econometrics is acceptable). Junior seminars satisfy both the writing and theory prerequisite requirements for the concentration. ECON 980 Junior seminars cannot be taken pass/fail.

Each seminar is limited to 18 participants with preference given to junior economics concentrators. Each junior seminar has its own lottery or application process if more than 18 students are interested in the course. See the Canvas sites below for more information on each course's lottery process.

**Fall 2026**

- **ECON 980X: Economics of Work and Family with Claudia Goldin**
    - Mondays, 3:00-5:45pm
    - [Canvas Site](https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/173343)
    - Ec 980x is a Junior Seminar with limited enrollment. Priority is given to Econ concentrators. You must apply to be admitted by filling out [THIS FORM](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemushxbAGizRNqKMm1l9tgeaTyM_zuFzYqOt4kYCnu5EKomA/closedform). The form will be open from April 1 (W, 8am) to April 8 (W, 6pm). Students will be accepted on a rolling basis (or by April 9, 6pm). You must accept, petition, and enroll by April 11 (Sa, 6pm) or lose your spot. A wait list will be created and drawn from.
- **ECON 980BB: Behavioral Economics of Risk and Learning with Tomasz Strzalecki**
    - Thursdays, 9:45-11:45am
    - [Canvas Site](https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/172802)
    - Ec 980bb is a Junior Seminar with limited enrollment. Priority is given to Econ concentrators. No graduate students, visitors, or others may take or audit the course. You must apply to be admitted by filling out [THIS FORM](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScarUDJFyqns6P9odqk-CHF7j_90uNVxaOLOljrPZX_4NshaA/viewform). The form will be open from April 1 (W, 8am) to April 8 (W, 6pm). You must accept, petition, and enroll by April 11 (Sa, 6pm) or lose your spot. A wait list will be created and drawn from.

**Spring 2027**

- **ECON 980B: Education in the Economy with Lawrence Katz**
    - Mondays, 12:45-2:45pm
    - Canvas site TBA
- **ECON 980KK: Economic Growth with Robert Barro**
    - Meeting time TBA
    - Canvas site TBA
- **ECON 980W: Economic Aspects of Health Policy with Ariel Pakes**
    - Tuesdays, 12:45-2:45pm
    - Canvas site TBA
- **ECON 980Z: Behavioral Finance with Jeremy Stein**
    - Tuesdays, 12-2pm
    - Canvas site TBA