Kevin Kuruc
Assistant Professor of Economics
- kkuruc@middlebury.edu
Kevin Kuruc is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and a Research Fellow at the Population Wellbeing Initiative at the University of Texas. He joined Middlebury College in 2025, after spending three years at the University of Texas (as a Research Fellow) and the University of Oklahoma (as an Assistant Professor). He completed his PhD at the University of Texas in 2019 and spent time at the International Monetary Fund during graduate school.
Kevin’s research interests are in macroeconomics — specifically growth and development — as well as agricultural and environmental economics. His recent projects focus on the interaction of demographic change, technological progress, and sustainability issues. He is also interested in animal welfare and in understanding how insights from economics can be used to improve the lives of animals.
Courses Taught
ECON 0150
Upcoming
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 0467
Upcoming
Econ Growth & Sustainability
Course Description
Long-run Growth, Living Standards, and Sustainability
The average person today has vastly more health, wealth, and leisure opportunities than 50 years ago, let alone 500. In this course, we will study this remarkable set of facts: how these improvements have been won; at what cost, and for whom; and whether current, unprecedented levels of population and living standards are sustainable. Through analysis of historical data, engagement with academic research, and in-class debates, students will develop a deeper understanding of these long-term trends and critically evaluate the key forces shaping them. They will then apply this toolkit to examine urgent questions about the future of progress, exploring challenges and opportunities such as climate change, resource scarcity, ecosystem degradation, population dynamics, and emerging technologies.
Terms Taught
ECON 0500
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