Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Senior Seminar (Face-to-Face)

ECON 4950-01

Course: ECON 4950-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ECON
CRN: 10357

Course Description

This course serves as the capstone experience for the Economics major at Southern Utah University. It brings together the tools and concepts you have developed across the major and applies them to the kind of questions economists study using data. Because economic claims often shape public debate and policy, it is important to understand how to evaluate evidence and distinguish correlation from causation. This class will teach you how to conduct rigorous empirical economic analysis and how to develop and carry out an original research project.

We will begin with a review of core econometric ideas to ensure everyone has a common foundation. We will then move into advanced methods in causal inference and learn how these tools are used in applied research. Throughout the semester, you will read and discuss a range of empirical studies and practice applying these methods as you design, execute, and communicate your own research. By the end of the course, students should be able to interpret causal empirical findings and produce a well-designed, evidence-based economics research paper.

Required Texts

The following three are recommended textbooks for this class:

  1. Causal Inference: The Mixtape by Scott Cunningham
    (Free online version: )
  2. Mastering Metrics by Angrist and Pischke
  3. Mostly Harmless Econometrics by Angrist and Pischke

Another good reference if you are interested:

  1. Counterfactuals and Causal Inference by Morgan and Winship

Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop econometric and causal inference skills: Strengthen foundational econometrics and learn advanced causal inference methods to evaluate empirical economic research and distinguish correlation from causation.
  2. Conduct original empirical research: Formulate a research question, choose and implement an appropriate empirical strategy, and carry out a complete analysis using a relevant dataset.
  3. Communicate economic analysis effectively: Clearly present research motivation, methods, results, and limitations in professional written and oral formats, including interpretation of estimates and discussion of economic significance.

Course Requirements

Grading Scale:

The following grading scale will be used in this class:
A = 92 to 100
A- = 90 to < 92
B+ = 87 to <90
B = 82 to <87
B- = 80 to <82
C+ = 77 to <80
C = 72 to <77
C- = 70 to <72
D+ = 67 to <70
D = 62 to <67
D- = 55 to <62
F < 55

Grading Policy:

Your grade will be calculated using the following weights:
  • Research deliverable 1: Introduction + Literature review — 5%
  • Research deliverable 2: Data — 5%
  • Research deliverable 3: Methods — 10%
  • Research deliverable 4: Results + Conclusion — 10%
  • Final Paper — 20%
  • Class presentation 1: Literature review + Data + Method — 10%
  • Class presentation 2: Whole project — 20%
  • Quizzes — 15%
  • Assessment exam — 5%
Total 100%

Evaluation:

Research deliverables (30%) : To help you in the research paper writing process, the final research paper is scaffolded into research deliverables. You will submit four research deliverables prior to the submission of your final paper. The research deliverables will be graded on effort and completion. The dates will be announced on Canvas.
Final paper (20%) : For this assignment, you will produce a research paper that uses one or more econometric methods from the course to answer an important and relevant question in economics. You will formulate a clear and feasible causal question, obtain and prepare the necessary data, select an appropriate identification strategy, and use statistical software of your choice to estimate the causal effect that speaks to your question. A more detailed outline for your project is posted on Canvas.
Class presentations (30%) : Each student will be asked to present a mid-semester update of their project. This presentation will take 15 minutes, and you are expected to present a literature review and a discussion on the data source and empirical strategy that you are planning to use. This presentation will be worth 10% of your final grade.
In addition, towards the end of the class each student will present their entire research paper, and this will be worth 20% of your final grade. By the end of the second week of class you should have chosen your topic and identified your data source!
Quizzes (15%) : A quiz will be given for each chapter we cover. Quizzes are primarily designed to help you better understand the theory behind and practical application of each research design that we discuss. Instructions and due dates for each quiz will be provided on Canvas.
Assessment exam (5%): At some point towards the end of the semester you will take an exam designed to measure what you have learned in the economics major. This is an assessment exam. It is important for you to understand what we wish to assess. We are not necessarily assessing your abilities, but our instruction. We wish to know what students learn after the economics major has been completed. You must take this exam to complete the course. We prefer you NOT study before you take this!!!

Course Outline

Topics we plan to cover:

  • Review of principles of econometrics
  • Fundamentals of causality
  • Regression discontinuity designs
  • Instrumental variables
  • Panel data
  • Difference-in-differences
  • Event study designs
  • Synthetic control method
  • Matching methods

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work policy:

I usually do not accept any late work. However, I make exceptions if you have a genuine reason and have informed me about it before the assignment is due. It is the instructor's discretion whether the work will be accepted late. NO MAKE UP work will be provided.

Grading Policy:

I am committed to help you achieve the highest grade you want. Having said that, grades are an assessment of your academic work. Fairness demands, and university rules require that all students be marked according to the same standards and that all students receive the grade they earned. Professors are not able to adjust grades arbitrarily, so please refrain from requesting grade changes.

Extra credit:

Extra credit will not be offered except under rare circumstances. If it is offered, it will be offered to the entire class and not to individual students separately. Therefore, if you want a certain grade and there are any ways in which I can reasonably help you achieve that goal, please contact me during the semester. The last two weeks of the semester may be too late to earn the grade that you want/need.

Attendance Policy

Attendance: Although attendance is not mandatory, I would strongly encourage you to attend all the lectures as it helps you to understand the concepts better and prepares you for the quizzes, class discussions, and the empirical project. In my experience, many students find econometric concepts difficult to grasp and missing classes will make the process of understanding the materials more difficult.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.