Macroeconomic Theory Macroeconomic theory analyzes whether the market effectively coordinates individuals' decisions so that they lead to acceptable results. It considers the effectiveness of monetary, fiscal, and other policies in achieving desirable levels of unemployment, inflation, and growth. The theories held by various schools of economic thought such as Keynesians, monetarists, and new classicals are considered along with their proposed policies.

Technology and Labor Markets In this course, we will explore the question: who gains from technological advances, and who loses? We will first learn theories of skill-biased technical change and automation through canonical and task-based Ricardian models. We will then apply these theories to a range of technological advances, including robots, computers, and complex software. For each technology, we will study the nuanced effects on employment, the wage distribution, and the nature of work. Additional topics will include historical technological advances (eg: electricity), and how technology contributes to growth in developing countries. We will then turn to emerging technologies like AI: can we extrapolate from what we have learned to predict how new technologies will impact workers? (ECON 0111 (formerly ECON 0210) and ECON 0250 or ECON 0255)

Zara Contractor

Reviews and ratings for Zara Contractor at Middlebury College.Zara Contractor teaches Macro Theory, Technology and Labor Markets and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Zara Contractor good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor Contractor was pretty easy overall. Her lectures were straightforward, and the workload was manageable. The final exam was shortened by an hour, which made the end of the course a lot less stressful. Sometimes it was hard to read what she wrote on the board but besides that the class wasn't too crazy.

I like Professor Contractor's teaching and exam style - homework is pretty easy, and exams are fair as long as you have a decent understanding of the material, which in most cases is just math with some theoretical framework applied. Overall if you have to take theory I'd recommend taking it with her.

The course was fine overall, but it felt kind of useless because Contractor didn’t connect the material to the real world. It was all theory with no practical examples, so it was hard to see why any of it mattered.