Kathy Krynski joined the Department of Economics in 1986. Before that she taught at Pomona College and the University of Notre Dame. She has taught a broad array of applied economics courses including labor economics, the economics of women and work, and the economics of education as well as core courses in microeconomics and econometrics. She was trained as a labor economist and spent a year as a visiting economist at the Social Security Administration working on labor supply and retirement issues.
More recently, Krynski has conducted joint research with David Harrington on the economic effects of state regulations on funeral markets and the earnings of funeral directors. They are also investigating whether native workers are being displaced due to the entry of Vietnamese into the market for manicurists and how the displacement rate is affected by differences in state regulations. She also served as associate provost from 1999-2002.
Education
1987 — Doctor of Philosophy from Univ of Wisconsin-Madison
1980 — Master of Science from Univ of Wisconsin-Madison
1977 — Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College
Courses Recently Taught
ECON 201
Microeconomic Theory
ECON 201
This course is an intensive study of the fundamental logic of economic behavior primarily within the context of a market economy. The course develops a systematic analysis of consumer and producer behavior, linked together through the principles of exchange and market structure. The resulting explanation of product prices and factor rewards is used to evaluate and analyze economic efficiency and the distribution of welfare under alternative economic policies and conditions. This course is required for the major. Prerequisite: ECON 101 and ECON 102, and a college level calculus course or a score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus AP exam. This course cannot be taken as pass/D/fail. Offered every fall semester.
ECON 344
Labor Economics
ECON 344
This course provides an introduction to the economic analysis of labor markets. Topics include the determinants of labor demand and labor supply; the theory of compensating wage differentials; formation of human capital; discrimination in the workplace; public policy toward the workplace; and the determinants of earnings inequality. Prerequisite: ECON 101 and 102. Generally offered every other year.
ECON 375
Advanced Econometrics
ECON 375
This seminar studies the empirical testing of economic models. The seminar's focus will vary depending on the instructor. Possible topics include instrumental variable analysis, time series analysis, panel data analysis or limited dependent variables. Each student will undertake and report on a research project. This counts toward the seminar requirement for the major. Prerequisite: ECON 101, 102 and 205. Generally offered every other year.
ECON 378
Economics of Women and Work
ECON 378
This seminar examines the role of women in the labor market and how that role has changed over time. This examination involves a comparison of women and men with respect to labor supply (for both market and nonmarket work), wage rates, occupational choices and unemployment levels. The seminar evaluates economic models that attempt to explain differences among labor market outcomes for men and women. Finally, the seminar examines some public policy proposals that are aimed at remedying gender differences in work opportunities and pay. Each student will write and present a seminar paper. This counts toward the seminar requirement for the major. Prerequisite: ECON 101 and 102. Generally offered every other year.
ECON 382
Economics of Education
ECON 382
This seminar uses economic theory and empirical analysis to examine both the role of education in the economy and current educational policy debates. The seminar will review the basic theory of investments in education (human capital theory) and investigate the empirical problem of disentangling the impact of education on earnings from the impact of innate ability as well as the association between education and individual earnings and reasons why that relationship has changed over time. The seminar also will examine the role of early childhood education, the main approaches to K-12 school reform and the issues of cost and access to higher education. Each student will write and present a seminar paper. This counts toward the seminar requirement for the major. Prerequisite: ECON 101 and 102. Generally offered every other year.
ECON 391
ST: Economics of Family
ECON 391
ECON 493
Individual Study
ECON 493
This course is for students who wish to do advanced work beyond regular courses or to study subjects not included in course offerings. Credit for this course will count towards the Economics major. The credit to be awarded and the exact structure of the course will be determined by the instructor and approved by the department chair. Typical activities include regularly assigned readings of scholarly material, weekly meetings to discuss the readings, and a research paper project. Prerequisite: ECON 101, 102 and permission of instructor and department chair. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar's deadline.
Academic & Scholarly Achievements
2010
"The Gender Gap in Funeral Directors: Burying Women with Ready-to-Embalm Laws" with Alison Cathles and David Harrington. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 48(4), December 2010, pp. 688-705.
2006
"The Impact of State Licensing Laws on Low-skilled Immigrants: The Case of Vietnamese Manicurists," with Maya Federman and David Harrington. American Economic Review, 96(2), May 2006, pp. 237-241.
2006
"Vietnamese Manicurists: Are Immigrants Displacing Natives or Finding New Nails to Polish?" with Maya N. Federman and David E. Harrington. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 59(2), January 2006, pp. 302-318.
2002
"The Effect of State Regulations on Cremation Rates: Testing for Demand Inducement in Funeral Markets," with David Harrington, Journal of Law and Economics, 65(1), April 2002, pp. 199-226.
1989
"State Pricing of Vanity License Plates," with David Harrington, National Tax Journal, 42(1), March 1989, pp. 95-99.