Course Info

Browse the Course Catalog Course Search

Course Info for ECON - 431 - 70, Fall 2026
Class number: 3363 Title: Money, Inflat. & Fin. Instab. Department: Economics
Career: Undergraduate Component: Seminar Session: Regular
Instructor's Permission Required: Yes Grading Basis: Graded Units: 1.00
Enrollment limited to 12 Current enrollment: 10 Available seats: 2
Start date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 End date: Wednesday, December 23, 2026 Mode of Instruction: In Person
Schedule: MW: 11:30AM-12:45PM, WM - 310B Instructor(s): Alvarez, Armando
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: C+ or better in Economics 301 and 302. This course is open to senior Economics majors only.
Distribution Requirement: Meets Writing Emphasis Part2 Requirements
Note: Please contact Melissa Schmitt-Cordeiro at Melissa.SchmittCordeiro@trincoll.edu for a PIN to this senior seminar.
Course Description:
This seminar discusses different views on the nature of money, prices, and credit in allocating resources in a self-organized market economy, as well as their connection with sustained inflation and financial instability. The course combines theoretical readings with discussions of the Great Recession and recent episodes of persistent inflation. Among the discussions that we will explore are: what is money? What role do money and prices play in a market economy? Is money a creature of the state or a creature of the market? Is money neutral to economic activity? In modern economies, is the supply of money exogenous or endogenous? Is the interest rate fully controlled by the monetary authority, or does it evolve endogenously with the economy? Is inflation supply-led, demand-led, or potentially either? Why might inflation be problematic? Are financial crises shocks or inherent features of the economic system? What is the current role of monetary policy, and what alternatives exist?