#  ECON 1746: Financial Crises and Recessions of the 21st Century 

 





 Semester:   Spring 

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 Year offered:  2026 

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 Link: [Course Website](https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/163581) 

 

 

 

**Description:** This course examines the major financial and economic disruptions that have shaped the U.S. economy over the past two decades. We begin with the 2007–2009 global financial crisis, exploring the mortgage boom and bust, the channels through which problems spread across the financial system, and why the crisis proved so devastating for the broader economy. We then consider the policy responses—both the emergency measures taken to stabilize markets and the reforms aimed at preventing another collapse.

From there, the course turns to more recent challenges: the COVID-19 recession and its financial stresses, the sharp post-pandemic surge in inflation, mounting federal debt, and other emerging threats to stability. Throughout, we will evaluate the effectiveness of policy responses and ask what these episodes teach us about preparing for the crises of the future.

**Recommended Prep:** Ec1010b, Econ 1011b, or permission of the instructor.

**For More Information:**

Check out the [Spring 2026 syllabus](https://kdynan.scholars.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum10596/files/2026-05/5-25-26%20EC%201746%20Syllabus%202026%20augmented%20with%20readings.pdf).