Cihan Artunc
Associate Professor of Economics
- Office
- Warner 309
- Tel
- (802) 443-2144
- cartunc@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Spring 2026: Tuesday 3:00-5:00 PM (Econ 150A), Wednesday 2:00-3:00 PM (Econ 468), or by appointment
Cihan Artunç joined the Department of Economics at Middlebury College in the fall of 2019. He completed his Ph.D. in Economics at Yale University in 2014. He also holds a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Mathematics from Bogazici University in Turkey.
Cihan’s research interests are in economic history, and law and economics. His current work investigates the interplay between business organization, firm dynamics, aggregate fluctuations, and commercial law with a focus on Egypt and Turkey between 1800 and 1950. Cihan’s research has been supported by the National Science Foundation.
Courses Taught
ECON 0150
Current
Intro Macroeconomics
Course Description
Introductory Macroeconomics
An introduction to macroeconomics: a consideration of macroeconomic problems such as unemployment and inflation. Theories and policy proposals of Keynesian and classical economists are contrasted. Topics considered include: banking, financial institutions, monetary policy, taxation, government spending, fiscal policy, tradeoffs between inflation and unemployment in both the short run and the long run, and wage-price spirals. 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
Requirements
ECON 0453
Hist Dev of World Economy
Course Description
Historical Development of the World Economy
Many of the controversies and tensions modern economies have to contend with today, such as growth, inequality, and instability, emerged during the last few centuries. In this seminar we will use economic and historical tools to develop a better understanding of the profound transformations in technology, finance, and international trade over time. We will analyze the challenges the world faced as capital, labor, and commodity markets became rapidly integrated, including financial crises, rising income and wealth inequality, and modernizing policies. (ECON 0210 and ECON 0250 or IPEC 0240) 3 hrs. sem.
Terms Taught
ECON 0468
Current
Pol Econ of the Middle East
Course Description
Political Economy of the Middle East
In this course we will study the complex relationship between economics and politics in the Middle East. We will use the theoretical and empirical toolboxes of economics and political science to better understand the joint evolution of political and economic structures/institutions and its implications for development and political make-up. We will address the following questions: What are the political underpinnings of divergent economic development and underdevelopment in the region? What is the role of the state and industrial policy in promoting economic modernization? What are the consequences of greater state involvement in pursuing industrial policy? Is there a political or economic resource curse? Main themes of the course include close relations between state and private business, crony capitalism, the military-industrial complex, international trade, human development, and inequality in the context of the Middle East. (Not open to students who have already completed PSCI 0222) 3 hrs. sem. (ECON 0111 And ECON 0250 Or IPEC 0240)
Terms Taught
Requirements
ECON 0500
Current
Upcoming
Individual Special Project
Course Description
Individual Special Project
If you choose to pursue an area that we do not offer or go in depth in an area already covered, we recommend the Individual Special Project option. These ECON 0500 proposals MUST be passed by the entire department and are to be submitted to the chair by the first Friday of fall and spring semester, respectively. The proposals should contain a specific description of the course contents, its goals, and the mechanisms by which goals are to be realized. It should also include a bibliography. According to the College Handbook, ECON 0500 projects are a privilege open to those students with advanced preparation and superior records in their fields. A student needs to have a 3.5 or higher G.P.A. in Economics courses taken at Middlebury in order to pursue an Individual Special Project. ECON 0500 does not count towards the major or minor requirements.
Terms Taught
ECON 0701
Upcoming
Senior Research Workshop I
Course Description
Senior Research Workshop I
In this first semester, students will design and begin their projects. Emphasis will be on designing a novel research question (while making the case for its importance) and an appropriate strategy for answering it. This requires immersion in the academic literature on the topic. General research principles and tools will be taught in class, as a group, while those specific to individual projects will be covered in one-on-one meetings. By the end of the term, students will outline their plan for completing the project, including demonstrating that it is a feasible research question for which the necessary information (e.g., data or source materials) is available or can be generated by the student (e.g., lab or other experiment). (Approval required)
Terms Taught
ECON 0702
Upcoming
Senior Research Workshop II
Course Description
Senior Research Workshop II
In this second semester of the senior research workshop sequence, the focus is on the execution of the research plan developed in ECON 0701. Most instruction is now one-on-one but the workshop will still meet as a group to discuss and practice the presentation of results in various formats (seminars, poster sessions, et cetera) to the rest of the workshop and others in the college and broader communities. Feedback and critiques from such presentations will be incorporated into the project, which will culminate in a research paper in the style of an economics journal article. (ECON 0701; Approval required)
Terms Taught
IPEC 0700
Current
Upcoming
Intl.Pol.&Economics SR. Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
(Approval Required)
Terms Taught