Spring 2026

POLECON 157 001 - LEC 001

The Political Economy of Finance

Robert D Fannion

Jan 20, 2026 - May 08, 2026

Tu, Th

05:00 pm - 06:29 pm

Haviland 12

Class #:26904

Units: 4

Instruction Mode: In-Person Instruction

Offered through Interdisciplinary Social Science Programs

Current Enrollment

Total Open Seats: 10

Enrolled: 40

Waitlisted: 11

Capacity: 50

Waitlist Max: 20

Open Reserved Seats:

10 reserved for Students with Enrollment Permission

Hours & Workload

1 hours of the exchange of opinions or questions on course material per week, 3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 8 hours of outside work hours per week.

This course examines the history, theory, and operation of the American financial system. Key questions we will consider include: What is money? What is finance? How did the financial system evolve historically in the American context? To answer these questions, we will first look to histories and then canonical theorizations before turning to the operation of money and the nuts-and-bolts of American financial markets. Finally, we examine the global financial crisis of 2008 and its aftermath in light of these considerations. The goal of this course is for students to develop a basic understanding of the historical development, theoretical underpinnings, and actual practice of the American financial system.

Class Notes

If you are a declared/intended GS/PE major or minor and cannot enroll in this class via standard methods, there will be an enrollment permission seat request form which will open December 1 and close January 9. Permission seats will be given only to declared/intended GS/PE majors or minors who are on the waitlist. Completing this form is not a guarantee of a seat. Do not contact the instructor for permission to enrollment.
Here is the form:
https://forms.gle/zZtegHsTa7BnAeR66 show less