Microeconomic Theory Microeconomic theory concentrates on the study of the determination of relative prices and their importance in shaping the allocation of resources and the distribution of income in an economy. We will study the optimizing behavior of households in a variety of settings: buying goods and services, saving, and labor supply decisions. We will also examine the behavior of firms in different market structures. Together, the theories of household and firm behavior help illumine contemporary economic issues (discrimination in labor markets, mergers in the corporate world, positive and negative externalities, for example).

The Economics of Climate Change In this course we will apply the tools of economic analysis to the problem of global climate change. The goal is to expose students to how economists approach this important policy problem. The course will begin with a review of reasons for policy interventions in markets and policy instrument choice. We will then focus on the measurement of damages from emissions of greenhouse gases. Subsequent topics will include: discounting, technology and abatement costs, benefit-cost analysis, uncertainty and catastrophic risk, and policies in practice. (ECON 0255; ECON 0265 encouraged).

Environment and Development Climate change, air pollution, tropical deforestation: there is little doubt that economic development affects, and is affected by, the global and local environment and natural resources. In this course we will explore the complex relationship between environment and development using the theoretical and empirical tools of applied economic analysis. We will begin with pioneering research papers on the empirics of economic growth, examine the macroeconomic evidence, and then move to the micro foundations of the poverty-environment nexus. Major topics will include the resource curse and environmental Kuznets curve hypotheses, approaches for understanding responses to climate variability and disasters in poor communities, management of natural resources in smallholder agriculture, choosing policy instruments for pollution reduction, conservation, and environmental protection, and relationships between human health and the environment. We will conclude with a number of selected topics and issues of contemporary policy relevance. (ECON 0111 (formerly ECON 0210) and ECON 0255 or IPEC 0240 [formerly ECON 0240])

Julia Berazneva

Reviews and ratings for Julia Berazneva at Middlebury College.Julia Berazneva teaches Micro Theory, Climate Change Economics, Environment and Development and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Julia Berazneva good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

The class revolves a lot around problem sets, as most economics classes do. The class will go over the problem sets together in groups during discussions, so it's much better if you did these before meeting. Four exams, you don't need to go to the last one if the first three are good.

Berzaneva does her best in what is a very difficult course. She is very accommodating during discussions, and while the class does move very fast - the homework allows ample time to review lecture materials. The one thing I will say is there is always one sort of "trick" question on the exams, which is usually longer and a bit harder. This screwed me over a handful of times, but she lets you drop 1/4 exams so it's not horrific. 

The course covers many basic climate concepts and technologies. Slideshows are long and boring, brushing over lots of content. If you don’t know anything about climate tech it would be a fine course to take