Sex, guns and drugs might not be the first words that come to mind when thinking about economics, but a new class is setting out to change that.
The course, Sex, Drugs and the Underground Economy, or Economics 597.01, will focus on three informal market sectors: illegal drugs, arms sales and human trafficking, said Bruce Bellner, senior lecturer in economics.
"The underground economy is all around us," Bellner said. "It is vast and growing, and these markets have worldwide and local significance. Students will see how these markets are connected and appreciate the global networks around the world."
Bellner said he was inspired to start the class when he read about the underground economy in books such as "Freakonomics," but noticed there was not as much information about it in textbooks.
"I put some ideas together and began to outline a syllabus," he said. "I ran some of my preliminary ideas by students who were very encouraging, as were the department of economics and the Curriculum Committee.It grew from there."
Bruce Weinberg, associate professor of economics and director of undergraduate studies, said the class will be used as a way to appeal to students through a contemporary issue.
"We hope it brings economics alive, and helps students to see the applicability of economics," Weinberg said.
Both Bellner and Weinberg said the issues discussed in the new course are becoming increasingly important, with implications on economies all over the world.
Bellner said underground business contributes to 9.4 percent of the U.S. economy and 45 percent of the Russian economy.
In the course, students will explore the roles that supply and demand plays from the goods and services of underground business, Bellner said.
Bellner said he hopes the class will attract students with different majors, perspectives and those with a good work ethic. Brittany Meece, a sophomore in architecture, said she would consider taking the class.
"It seems like it's more applied economics and not just numbers," she said. It puts more of a human spin on it." The class will fulfill the "issues of the contemporary world" category in the College of the Arts and Sciences general education curriculum and can also be used as an elective toward certain minors, Bellner said.
The class is open to juniors and seniors and will be offered in the upcoming spring quarter.
Holly Davis can be reached at davis.2345@osu.edu.
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