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This course examines the relationship between behavioral economics, public finance and public policy. Individuals frequently make decisions that systematically depart from the predictions of standard rational actor economic models. Behavioral economics attempts to explain these departures by integrating an understanding of the psychology of human behavior into economic analysis. This course will review the major themes of behavioral economics and address their implications for public finance in a wide variety of policy-relevant domains, including: savings, consumer credit, education, labor markets, energy use, health care, revenue collection and tax compliance, social welfare programs, and the political process. The course trains students to think critically about problems and apply an understanding of behavioral economics to best address and design policy solutions that improve outcomes. <a href="http://bit.ly/1bebp5s" target="_blank">Click here to see evaluations, syllabi, and faculty bios</a>This course is open to enrollment by MIEF students only.