Welcome to Sports Economics!

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The semester will begin soon, and before we get started, I want to share a few things that will help you understand what this course is like and whether it's a good fit for you. Having a clear sense of how the course works tends to make the first few weeks much smoother.

You'll gain access to the Canvas course a few days before the semester begins, which includes an orientation module with details on course logistics, platforms we'll use, and tips for doing well. I'll post an announcement once everything is ready.

10 things you should know before the semester begins

Sports are the setting, not the goal. This course uses sports as a way to study economic reasoning, incentives, and policy. You don't need to be a die-hard sports fan, but you should be curious about how economists think about real-world problems. You will be expected to have some general knowledge about the sports industry.
The course emphasizes discussion and interpretation.
Our time together in class will focus on talking through ideas, questioning assumptions, and making sense of evidence together. It looks very different from elective courses built around problem sets and exams.
Readings matter because they shape conversation. Weekly readings are a central part of the course and are designed to give us shared language for discussion during class time. We'll have weekly quizzes to kick off each week, and they're meant to reward preparation, not memorization.
You'll build data literacy gradually. Throughout the semester, you'll work through guided DataCamp modules that introduce tools used by economists and data analysts. The goal is comfort and confidence, not mastery. We'll use these tools later in the course to answer some big questions about sports economics.
Excel and R are tools, not obstacles. You'll use Excel and R to analyze real sports data in projects later in the semester, but no prior experience is assumed. Instructions are provided, and the emphasis is on interpretation and explanation rather than technical perfection. The skills you learn in DataCamp will help you do better on your projects.
Projects replace traditional exams. Instead of high-stakes tests, the course is structured around applied projects that ask you to connect economic ideas to policy and business questions. These projects build toward a final replication and poster presentation.
Consistency matters more than cramming. The workload in this course is steady rather than intense at any single moment. Students who keep up with readings, modules, and deadlines tend to find the course manageable and rewarding. If you don't already use a planner, now is a great time to start.
Class meetings are in person and interactive.
Most class sessions are discussion-based, supported by polling and occasional guest speakers. Some Fridays will be used differently, with time set aside for focused work, office hours, or guest talks.
Course materials are intentionally affordable. Required books are popular press titles (Game of Edges and Scorecasting) rather than a traditional textbook, and most software used in the course is free for students. Order your books now so that they arrive when the semester begins.
This is a course that rewards engagement. Students who ask questions, participate in discussions, and stay curious tend to get the most out of the experience. The course is designed to challenge you, but also to help you leave with skills that translate beyond the classroom.

I take this course seriously and care deeply about both economics and teaching, and I bring that energy into the classroom. The course will challenge you, but students who stay engaged tend to find it both rewarding and useful beyond the semester.

I also share economics content outside the classroom through a weekly newsletter and social media, which you're welcome (but not required) to follow. I'm looking forward to the semester and working with you. If this course sounds like a good fit, I think you'll enjoy what we do together.