Anup Malani : Courses and Seminars
Advanced Law and Economics: Theory and Practice
LAWS 55401
This seminar examines theoretical and empirical work in the economic analysis of law. It will cover, among other things, optimal tort rules, models of contract liability and remedies, optimal criminal rules, settlement and plea bargaining, and models of judicial behavior.
Students are required to be PhD students in the Economics Department, the Harris School or the Booth School, or law students. Students should have the equivalent of an undergraduate economics degree or have taken Economic Analysis of the Law in the Law School. The course will expect students to have Economics PhD-level math skills.
Students will be required to submit 3-4 short research proposals related to topics covered in class. These proposals are sketches of original research that, once developed, could yield publishable academic papers.
Spring 2013
Anup Malani
Economic Analysis of the Law
LAWS 73201
This course introduces the concepts of law and economics. Over the last forty years, economics has become an important tool for those who want to understand the effect legal rules have on the way people behave. This course also explores the extent to which the principles of economics can be used to explain the workings of the legal system itself. The topics covered in this course include the Coase theorem, the choice between property and liability rules, the allocative effects of alternative liability rules (e.g., strict liability versus negligence); the determination of damages for breach of contract; and the economics of legal procedure.
No prior acquaintance with economics or calculus is assumed; the relevant economic concepts are developed through an examination of particular legal applications.
The student's grade is based on a final examination.
Autumn 2012
Anup Malani
Health Care Policy
LAWS 68504
This seminar will review basic health care economics and policy. We will discuss the regulation of providers (doctors, hospitals, drug companies) and insurance markets (government insurance through Medicaid and Medicare, state and federal regulation of insurance). Much of the seminar will focus on provisions in the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In the process we will discuss challenges that health care markets face, including physician-induced supply and moral hazard and adverse-selection in insurance markets. We will also discuss efforts to control costs and the impact of rising health care costs on the federal budget.
Students will be assessed via a substantial research paper and class participation.
Autumn 2012
Anup Malani
Health Law
LAWS 46201
This course surveys the law and policy applicable to health care financing and delivery in the United States. The course will split its time between reviewing the new health care bill and covering traditional topics such as informed consent, medical malpractice liability, drug regulation, ERISA preemption, Medicare, Medicaid, and the application of antitrust law to health care.
Spring 2013
Anup Malani
