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 course can be fast paced at times, but there is group work built into class time which is very helpful. Tests are straightforward and similar to the homework, so if you redo homework problems you will do well on the test. 

Professor Berazneva is a very knowledgeable teacher and is super passionate about her work. She included some of her own research and made sure to connect the basics of micro theory into real life situations and her research. This course is definitley not easy, but is berable. She is very helpful with the problem sets and offers multiple office hours for help. The discussion session is set aside for each class to work on the problem set, and she answers any answers you have very clearly. If you stay on top of the problem sets and show up to class you should have no problem getting a good grade in this class!   

Micro theory is a difficult course and the material is not very interesting. Julia Berazneva is a very kind person, she is enthusiastic about the material - but it's a tough course to make fun.         