Cycles and Crises in American Economic History   

The course will be a history of business cycles and economic crises that covers the period from the American founding to the 21st century. The course will address economic performance in the context of the evolving business and banking system and changes in public policy efforts. Cycle and crisis explanations will be explored. The course will be mostly lectures with questions and answers and discussion. No outside reading will be required, but students are encouraged to take notes so that the course content can be considered for an end-of-class discussion about the current economic situation.