Microeconomics of Development and Its Models

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending my roommate and friend Jack Brown‘s economics presentation in the Weitz! Jack’s an Econ Bro — er, Economics Major — and last fall, he and his classmates took Microeconomics of Development, a course that led into an off-campus studies program called Microeconomic Development in Bangladesh, which then led into another another course, Analysis of Microeconomic Development Models, in session this winter. This presentation was for that class, and although I’ve found myself to be very busy this term, I’m so so happy I chose to take some time off to see what Jack and his peers learned and to show my support.

The thing is, while I knew that attending the presentation would be a nice change of pace from my regular densely-packed study schedule, I didn’t realize how much it’d make me think.

One of my biggest regrets has been how I’ve allowed my daily routine to morph into a somewhat homogeneous block of wake up, eat, attend class, eat, study, eat, sleep, repeat. While that system itself has been pretty alright for me (I, uh, love familiar patterns and definitely need the study time), it has caused me to fall into a bit of an assumption that I’ve figured out what college is all about, even as I find myself continuously choosing to stay in and be “productive” rather than getting out there and attending new events.

Going to this presentation was something new for me. I found myself realizing how many alternative ways to learn and connect with my community I’d been passing up, getting frustrated with myself for that fact even as I enjoyed lapping up the new information and perspective that these students were offering in the moment.

My biggest takeaway, aside from the material taught in the presentation itself, was that I need to do this sort of thing more often. I’m only here for two-ish more years, and there are so many new people and discoveries waiting to be made in the endless wave of specially-scheduled on-campus events (not to mention teams and clubs) I’ve allowed myself to tune out. Really, to any prospective and current students reading this alike: make room for diversity in your schedule. There’s already way more on offer at a place like Carleton than time to take advantage of it all, but the worst thing you can do is let that lull you into a sort of self-limiting complacency.

Anyway, the material itself.

I’m gonna stay vague for fear of embarrassing myself for explaining things wrong (I can hear Jack yelling at me about it now), but basically what I gathered is that Microeconomics of Development covered a bunch of ways to model the, uh, microeconomics of development in the real world.

The trip itself allowed students to perform interviews with executives and villagers alike, pinpointing these economic principles in action. Students then returned to campus this term for the Analysis of Microeconomic Development class, which has involved, in addition to presenting what they’ve learned, making tweaks to their models based on specific observations made personally while abroad.

After an initial general-overview-type introduction, students of the program broke off into smaller groups with whom they presented on more discrete topics. As an audience member, I chose to attend the presentation on climate change. It was a small, lecture/Q&A hybrid style talk led by three students. I learned about Nobo Jatra, which I’m going to provide a link to instead of trying to explain myself, and about specific climate-smart (or was it climate-resilient? something like that) strategies that Bangladesh villagers are currently learning to implement. There were other details as well that revealed a more social-progress-oriented agenda, which seemed to include seminar-type stuff on family roles and the like. I’m glad I stayed for this smaller talk, because it provided more detailed insight and allowed me and my peers to ask follow-up questions.

I think it’s really cool that Carleton offers off-campus programs that follow this sort of course-travel-course format. Firstly, it ensures that all involved come into the opportunity with a commonly-shared context, an academic motivation for the trip itself, and come out of it with the opportunity to go back and apply what they’ve learned in another academic setting. Furthermore, it means that I can actually consider studying abroad, something I’ve always wanted to do yet always assumed I wouldn’t have the time for (sensing a pattern?).

When I first came to Carleton, it didn’t take me long to compile a list of classes I Absolutely Needed To Take Here, and promptly realize that doing so would require staying in undergrad for like, a decade (which would honestly be fine by me). So that, combined with the feeling that I really would get bummed out if I let go of an entire trimester with the friends and school that I love, kind of convinced me that study abroad just wouldn’t really be an option for me. With this structure, though, it very much is, and there’s a set of classes to match (although I’m not sure about scheduling / availability): the physics department offers its very own Sustainable Energy Principles and Design — trip to India — Sustainable Energy Practice and Prospects sequence that looks absolutely perfect for me, my interests, and my desire to maximize the time I get to spend on Carleton campus.

I guess the last things I learned/realized from this event was how many different ways there are to learn, and how much I still want to broaden my academic horizons.

Learning from class, homework, and studying is all well and good, but there’s also learning by travel (like through an OCS program!), learning through events (like the one I just went to!), learning by teaching (at such events!), and they all serve to do slightly different things, and overall build a more robust, complete base of knowledge. And while I love physics, and feel fairly confident in my choice of it as a major, I can’t truly be sure until I’ve at least given all these other amazing disciplines I know I’d love their own fair shots.

I’ve always felt drawn to economics in particular, especially after I took a class on it in high school. I think what draws me to it is actually similar to what draws me to physics: I’m engaged and inspired by fields of study that use logic and math as tools to analyze these beautiful emergent properties of nature that can then be applied for the greater good. Maybe that sounds silly, but that’s my genuine driving force in most of school (along with my weird love of the process itself for its own sake).

Time to start looking into those intro econ courses!

Lucas is in his sophomore year at Carleton, bringing with him a passion for all things nerdy and a talent for overthinking and awkwardness (and self-deprecation). He hails from Pasadena, California, and yes, he realizes it gets cold out here. He currently sees himself majoring in Physics, although he hopes to explore Cinema and Media Studies, Chemistry, Economics, and Computer Science (among many other subjects) as well. He misses his bearded dragon. Meet the other bloggers!