David Munro
Associate Professor of Economics
- Office
- Warner 306
- Tel
- (802) 443-5859
- dmunro@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Mondays 2:00 PM-3:30 PM ; Wednesdays 10:30 AM-12:00 PM; or by appointment
David Munro joined the Economics faculty as an Assistant Professor in the fall of 2016, after completing his PhD at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He holds a Masters in Economics from Chapman University and a Bachelors in Engineering from the University of British Columbia.
His research interests are in the fields of macroeconomics and experimental economics. His doctoral thesis focused on business cycle dynamics of unemployment and firm volatility. He teaches courses in macroeconomics and international economics.
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 0260
Money and Banking
Course Description
Money and Banking
In this course we will study the connections between the macroeconomy, money, and financial markets. We will explore the role of money, financial instruments, the banking system, and monetary policy in the economy. In addition, we will discuss the causes and outcomes of financial crises with special attention towards the role that monetary policy plays in managing these events. This course is for anyone trying to gain a macroeconomic perspective on banks, financial markets, and monetary policy. (ECON 0111 or ECON 0210 or MATH 0116 AND ECON 0150, OR ECON 0155, OR ECON 0250, OR ECON 0255) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
ECON 0350
Advanced Macro Theory & Policy
Course Description
Advanced Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
In this course we will build on ECON 0250 to further develop the analytical tools for exploring key macroeconomic outcomes and policy. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to, economic growth; distribution; institutions; monetary, fiscal and macroprudential policy; and behavioral macroeconomics. We will explore modern developments in macroeconomic theory, and compare and critically evaluate the ability of different theoretical perspectives to provide insight into current events and the efficacy of macroeconomic policy (MATH 0121 or equivalent and (ECON 0250 or IPEC 0240 [formerly ECON 0240] and ECON 0211). 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
ECON 0445
International Finance
Course Description
International Finance
An analysis of the world's financial system and the consequences for open economies of macroeconomic interdependence. Particular topics include: exchange rate determination, balance of payments adjustments, and monetary and fiscal policies in open economies. Special attention is paid to the issues and problems of the European Economic Community and European integration and debt in developing countries. (ECON 0250 or IPEC 0240 [formerly ECON 0240]) 3 hrs. sem.
Terms Taught
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