faculty
Neal Olitsky, PhD
Professor / Chairperson
Economics
Education
2008 | University of Iowa | PhD |
2004 | University of Iowa | MA |
2002 | Oberlin College | BA |
Teaching
- Macroeconomics
- Labor Economics
- Econometrics
Programs
Programs
Courses
Survey of introductory macroeconomics with focus on economic growth, unemployment, and inflation. Topics covered include national income accounting, inflation, unemployment, fiscal policy, money, the banking system, and monetary policy. Balance of payments and currency exchange rate issues are analyzed. Cross-listed as PST 232
Work experience at an elective level supervised for academic credit by a faculty member in an appropriate academic field. Conditions and hours to be arranged ahead of time. Graded CR/NC. For specific procedures and regulations, see section of catalog on Other Learning Experiences. Credit not to be given retroactively.
Introduction to econometrics including development of basic techniques of bivariate and multivariate linear regression analysis; use of lagged variable and dummy variables in model building; problems of multicollinearity, autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity.
Translation of statistical concepts presented in Econometrics (ECO 333) into STATA. Labs teach basic functions in STATA such as data manipulation, variable construction, simple programming, regression, statistical testing and prediction. Labs consist of examples which will be solved step-by-step to foster an effective approach to statistical computing. The topics covered in labs correspond to those covered in ECO 333.
Intermediate writing in economics with variable content. The economic issues covered vary by instructor and semester, but the course focuses on the tools and practice of professional writing in economics. Students engage in low and high stakes writing assignments with a focus on research writing, integration, and synthesis of knowledge from diverse sources, policy analysis and proper citation and formatting.
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area covered in a regular course not currently being offered. Conditions and hours to be arranged.
Online and Continuing Education Courses
Survey of introductory macroeconomics with focus on economic growth, unemployment, and inflation. Topics covered include national income accounting, inflation, unemployment, fiscal policy, money, the banking system, and monetary policy. Balance of payments and currency exchange rate issues are analyzed. Cross-listed as PST 232
Introduction to data and statistical methods used in economics. Descriptive statistics, probability distributions, sampling, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression including multiple regression are covered. Applications in economics with current economic data are emphasized.
Register for this course.
Translation of statistical concepts presented in ECO 332 into tasks in Microsoft Excel. Labs will consist of problems which will be solved step by step to foster an effective approach to statistical computing. Students will use hypothetical and real-world data when performing lab exercises. Topics covered in the lab will be the same as those covered in ECO 332.
Register for this course.
The labor force. Wages in competitive and non-competitive markets. Wage structures. Inequalities and discrimination. Impacts of unions and social standards. Indexation, inflation and unemployment. Cross-listed as LST 342.
Register for this course.
Research
Research interests
- Labor Economics
- Economics of Education
- Economics Education
Select publications
See curriculum vitae for more publications
- Sarah B. Cosgrove & Neal H. Olitsky (2022).
Cutting our losses: The effects of a loss-aversion strategy on student learning gains
Journal of Economic Education, 54, 1-16. - Stephen B. DeLoach, Mark R. Kurt, and Neal H. Olitsky (2021).
Duration Matters: Separating the Impact of Depth and Duration in Study Abroad Programh
Journal of Studies in International Education, 25, 100-118. - Neal H. Olitsky and Sarah B. Cosgrove (2016).
The Better Blend? Flipping the Principles of Microeconomics Classroom
International Review of Economics Education, 21, 1-11.
Best Paper Award for 2016 - Neal H. Olitsky (2014).
How Do Academic Achievement and Gender Affect the Earnings of STEM Majors? A Propensity Score Matching Approach.
Research in Higher Education, 55, 245-271. - George Neumann, Neal Olitsky, and Steve Robbins (2009).
Job congruence, academic achievement, and earnings
Labour Economics, 16, 503-509.