1. Finance and Insurance as Powerful Forces in Our Economy and Society

Financial Markets (ECON 252) Professor Shiller provides a description of the course, Financial Markets, including administrative details and the topics to be discussed in each lecture. He briefly discusses the importance of studying finance and each key topic. Lecture topics will include: behavioral finance, financial technology, financial instruments, commercial banking, investment banking, financial markets and institutions, real estate, regulation, monetary policy, and democratization of finance. 00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction to the Course 11:24 - Chapter 2. Textbooks and Course Logistics 24:05 - Chapter 3. Technology and the Subprime Crisis 31:19 - Chapter 4. Is Studying Finance Moral? 46:44 - Chapter 5. Topics Covered in the Course Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: This course was recorded in Spring 2008.