[PEN-L:6763] Re: economics course

[albelda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I can't help but put in a plug for a book I co-authored which is just coming
out (today I think).  I wrote to Eric privately to tell him, but given the
cry for for a text book that does left/right stuff, I feel I should let people
know about it.

The book is called Unlevel Playing Fields: Understanding Wage Inequality and
Discrimination by myslef, Bob Drago and Steve Shulman.  there is an early
chapter that presents some data on inequality, wages, unemployment, and
occupational segregation, three chapters on neoclassical economics, three
chapters on political economy, and a chapter which searches for common ground.
the 3 chapters on NCE and PE are parallel.  One on NCE/PE generally, one on
labor markets and one on discrimination.  The book is written for introductory
students in economics (sociology, women's studies, etc.).  I just used it for
an introductory course I teach on economic policy which focusses on poverty
and wealth and have to say I liked it quite a bit as did the students. While it
doesn't provide left/right discussions on a particular topic, it does provide a
very nice, accessible exposition of the two very different approaches to
economic questions.  It is a nice book to supplement others.

The book is published by McGraw Hill, and is a paperback and reasonably priced
(for a textbook)--my school sold it for $26.00  McGraw Hill is giving away
exam copies, if interested call your book rep or M-H.

Randy Albelda
University of Massachusetts--Boston
albelda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx