Class Meetings: Mon/Wed (12:15-1:30) in LIB 140

Office hours:

  • Mon 1:30-2:00 PM & 8:15 - 9:00 PM
  • Tues 3:00-4:00 PM & 8:15-9:00 PM
  • Wed 1:30-2:00 PM
  • Fri 2:00- 3:00 PM

Send me a message on Slack (#office-hours) “I’m here” and then join my personal Zoom room (password 210)

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Define causality using the potential outcomes framework

  • Use Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) to model causal models

  • Be able to articulate the issues with selection bias

  • Understand and be able to apply the following research designs: Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), Instrumental Variables (IV), Difference-in-difference (Diff-in-Diff), and Regression Discontinuity (RD)

  • In STATA: have a strong grasp of loops, scalars, matrices, subprograms, and macros

  • Write clean DO files in STATA that are transparent and allow others to replicate your findings

-Conduct independent research using the methods in this course

  • Understand the strengths and limitations of empirical economic research

Textbook

“Causal Inference, the Mixtape” by Scott Cunningham

Suggested but not required

Technology/Software

-Canvas: All readings and assignments

-Slack: All communications and discussion for class including in-class polling

-One Drive: Free cloud storage

-STATA: STATA is a statistical application commonly used by economists. I strongly recommend purchasing a 6-month Stata/BE student license for your laptop link. Having STATA easily accessible promotes learning in the environment. If you plan on doing a thesis, consider the 12-month license. STATA is also available on campus computers such as LIB 140. See this directory for where STATA is accessible.

Email protocol and details

Please minimize email communications. Virtually everything you can do in email can be accomplished on Slack. During the semester, I will focus my attention on Slack and any emails I receive will have a longer response time (48 to 72 hours). In the subject line, please start with “Econ 212:”. I use email filters to prioritize among the many emails I receive each day; not including the “Econ 278:” subject line may delay my response.

Assignments

  • Quizzes This is a “catch-all” for short tasks that I will request before a class meeting. It may involve a reading, video, reviewing concepts, or posing a response to a question. They will be due before class. Late quizzes are not accepted.

  • Labs This is where the core learning for applying various research designs and statistical concepts in STATA will take place.

  • Challenge Questions: These will test your understanding of key concepts in the research designs and STATA.

  • Final Research Proposal: Prepare a detailed research proposal for an empirical research project that aims to credibly and rigorously identify and measure a causal effect of interest using the methodological toolkit you have acquired in this course. You will do a short presentation and submit a 5-7 page proposal.

  • Final Exam: The final exam is only required if you want to be eligible for an A in the course. Letter grades of A- or below do not require taking the final exam.

Deadlines and Extensions

Students are expected to submit work by the deadlines. Why? It really helps facilitate our group discussions. It also keeps students on track for the course. We all know that students/professors prioritize what they need to do by deadlines.

For labs and challenge questions, you can request an extension by sending me a Slack DM. Include why you will not make the deadline and your proposed new deadline. Frequent requests will require a special accommodation such as a note from a student life dean.

Grades

Hybrid Labor-Based Grading Contracts

Traditional grading systems assign letter grades based on performance. Labor based grading assigns grades based on effort instead. Contracts specify what the work that a student needs to accomplish to receive a specific letter grade. This will hopefully reduce a lot of the uncertainty (and corresponding anxiety) with regards to grades. You can read more about labor based grading contracts here.

Letter grades of A- to D are primarily based on the effort a student asserts. A letter grade of A requires effort and performance on a final exam - thus this is a hybrid approach to labor based grading.

There will be a set of assignments that you can choose to do. When you submit an assignment it is either accepted (receive credit) or declined (no credit). The only two assignments that are evaluated differently are the final research proposal and the final exam.

The table shows the number of assignments in each grouping that is required for each final letter grade.

For example, a B requires 18 quizzes, 8 labs, 2 challenge questions, and a “Basic” final research proposal.

Course Calendar

All assignment due dates will be listed on Canvas.

The Secret to Doing Well

Meeting deadlines and keeping up with the course material is key. How do you do it? Pay attention to what you pay attention to.

One of your most valuable assets is your attention - and everything is vying for it. Here’s a plan to put you in a position to succeed

  • Each week, dedicate days and times when you work solely on this course in a distraction free environment. For example, on your calendar, block out Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 am to work on the course.

  • When you work on the course, focus on this class and don’t multitasking (i.e. checking email , talking with friends, working on another course at the same time, etc . . .). Give your phone to a friend or leave it in your room and go to the library.

  • Use Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, SelfControl or another apps to block web and app access on all your devices. When you work on this course, you want to eliminate access to anything that can distract you.

If you are interested in discovering more learning techniques and strategies, read up on Cal Newport. He’s a successful computer science professor at Georgetown who has interviewed a number of top undergraduate students. I recommend “How to Become a Straight A Student”, “How to Win at College”, and “Deep Work.”

Etiquette and discourse

At Middlebury, we strive to make our campus a respectful, engaged community that embraces difference with all the complexity and individuality each person brings. Each student in this course is expected to contribute to an inclusive and respectful class environment. Students of all backgrounds are to be treated fairly and with honesty, integrity, and respect. Civil discourse without degrading, abusing, harassing, or silencing others is required of all students in this class.

College resources

The college has many resources to help you when you are struggling. You can find a list of resources here.

I’d like to make a particular mention of the Anderson Freeman Resource Center. The AFC has some great programming, including a peer mentorship program, peer writing tutoring, wellness support, counseling, and social events (granted we’re in a pandemic, but even online events can be nice). The AFC is physically located at Carr Hall and can be reached at or 802-443-2214.

Accommodations

Students who have Letters of Accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact me as early in the semester as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. For those without Letters of Accommodation, assistance is available to eligible students through Student Accessibility Services. Please contact Jodi Litchfield or Peter Ploegman, the ADA Coordinators, for more information: Peter Ploegman can be reached at or 802-443-2382 and Jodi Litchfield can be reached at or 802-443-5936. All discussions will remain confidential.I will make best efforts to provide accommodations but, given the current circumstances, I can’t guarantee the requirements of the letter will be met.

Honor code

I expect you to adhere to the Middlebury Honor Code. The Middlebury Honor Code is described at go/honorcode.