IAP Independent Activities Period
overview participate organize offerings calendar  
for-credit subjects non-credit activities by category non-credit activities by sponsor non-credit activities by date

IAP 2012 Activities by Category

Economics and Finance

Career: Business Schools
Robert Gibbons, Roberto Rigobon
Mon Jan 23, 10:30am-12:00pm, E51-372

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This session will discuss how several kinds of economists (in fields such as IO, applied micro, applied theory, macro, and international) have found productive professorial careers in several kinds of faculty groups (including economics, strategy, political economy, and international management) within several kinds of business schools (from Chicago to HBS, and many in between). Of course, professorial career includes both research and teaching, so we will discuss how both may be somewhat different than in an economics department, but also how in many business schools the differences compared to a department are greater in terms of teaching than research.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics
Cosponsor: Academic Media Production Services

Career: Liberal Arts Colleges
Courtney Coile
Tue Jan 24, 01-02:30pm, E51-372

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Prof. Coile will discuss the differences between getting a job at a liberal arts college following completion of the PhD, as opposed to working at a research university.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Career: Public Policy School
Brigitte Madrian Harvard Kennedy School
Thu Jan 26, 10:30am-12:00pm, E51-372

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Professor Madrian will talk about her experiences being on the faculty of a public policy school. What are the students like? What are the programs like? What are the colleagues like? What are the tradeoffs between teaching at a public policy school and a more traditional academic department? What are the tradeoffs between teaching at a public policy school and a business school?
Web: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/brigitte-madrian
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Confident Investing in Any Market
Paul Gunning, Planning and Guidance Consultant Fidelity Investments
Tue Jan 17, 12-01:00pm, W20, 20 Chimneys

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This workshop helps you build an investment mix, evaluate your investment options and monitor your portfolio to help moderate risk and address fear during market activity.
Contact: Paul Gunning, Retirement Counselor, Fidelity Investments, 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com
Sponsor: MIT Human Resources

Corruption in Developing Countries
Ben Olken
Tue Jan 10, 01-02:30pm, E51-376

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This talk will discuss how economic theory helps us understand the problem of corruption. Real-world examples will be presented, such as understanding the bribes that truck drivers pay corrupt traffic police in Indonesia.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Euro Crisis in Italy
Guido Lorenzoni
Wed Jan 25, 10:30am-12:00pm, E51-335

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

A look at the Italian economy from the 80s to the current crisis. We'll consider both short run issues—the sell-off in Italian government bond markets starting in the Summer 2011; and long run issues—why economic growth in Italy has been stagnant since the late 80s?
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Housing Market Update
William Wheaton
Thu Feb 2, 10:30am-12:00pm, E51-395

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Professor Wheaton reviews the sources of the Housing Boom/Bust, examines the prospects and timing of a likely recovery, and suggests some interventions to hasten this.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Impact of Trade with China on Local U.S. Labor Markets
David Autor
Tue Jan 31, 10:30am-12:00pm, E51-395

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

China's rise from a closed economy to a leading world trading power over the course of roughly two decades is unprecedented in modern history. While China's current place in the world trading system is logical given its vast size and resources, its rapid rise has been highly disruptive to firms and nations that produce goods in which China has gained comparative advantage. This IAP talk will consider the impact that China's rising competitive position has had on local U.S. labor markets since 1990, focusing specifically on particular labor markets that house import-competing manufacturers. In addition to presenting quantitative evidence on the consequences for local labor markets and the adjustment process that ensues, I will consider potential implications for labor market and trade policies.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Introduction to Corp. Credit Analysis & Equity Valuation
Andrew Henwood MBA'07, John Piskorowski SM '07
Wed Feb 1, 11am-02:30pm, E62-276

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Single session event

This two-part workshop is to first to cover the key concepts in Corporate Credit analysis including the role the ratings agencies and typical financial ratios employed in order to determine the credit risk of a company. The class will introduce students to the Investment Grade (IG) bond market and provide several examples on how bonds are priced and why an IG rating is desirable for a company today.

(1:00 p.m.--2:30 p.m.) The second part is to give students an introduction to Equity valuation. Typically students are familiar with DCF analysis, but other approaches, such as multiple analysis, net asset value and sum-of-the parts valuation, are important techniques in providing a broader measure of equity valuation. An effort will be made to include several real world examples of how investment professionals value equities in the Energy and Financial sectors.

11:00 a.m.-- 12:30 p.m. -- Corporate Credit Analysis
1:00 p.m. -- 2:30 p.m. -- Equity Valuation
Please register using the link below.
Web: https://alum.mit.edu/smarTrans/register-login.vm?eventID=61361&groupID=194
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-200, (617) 252-1143, ebyrne@mit.edu
Sponsor: Alumni Association

Investor Behavior & Principles of Investing
Richard Erickson MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services
Tue Jan 10, 12-01:00pm, Blg 56-114

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 03-Jan-2012
Limited to 60 participants.
Single session event

Could your fear and uncertainty about the economy be detrimental to your financial portfolio? If your decisions are based on perception and emotion – rather than facts and knowledge – it might be time to take a new look at your strategy.

Attend this valuable seminar and learn more about the power of investing and investor irrationality, including:
• Overconfidence, Hindsight Bias, Short Term Focus
• Regret, Mental Accounting, Hot-Hand Fallacy
• The Power of Compounding
• The Importance of Rebalancing & Controlling Risk
• The Dangers of Market Timing

RSVP to www.mitfcu.org
Web: http://www.mitfcu.org
Contact: www.mitfcu.org
Sponsor: MIT Federal Credit Union

MIT Retirement Plans Overview
Ellen Cushman, MIT Retirement Counselor
Thu Jan 12, 12-01:00pm, W20-491, Student Ctr

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This workshop is designed for employees who want a review of the MIT Basic Retirement Plan, the MIT Supplemental 401(k) Plan, and Retiree Health and Welfare benefits and how they work.
Contact: Ellen Cushman, ecushman@mit.edu
Sponsor: MIT Human Resources

Personal Finance: 101
Mark Porter '05
Tue Jan 24, 05:30-06:30pm, 10-250

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Single session event

MIT has done a great job teaching us how to earn money.

Unfortunately, no one has taught us what to do with it when we get it! This hour long seminar will give you the basics of a financial planning approach. We will cover definitions and best practices regarding:

• Cash Reserves
• Liability Management
• Tax Planning
• Insurance Planning
• Savings Vehicles
• Investments

Class will be most useful for those already working or graduating in 2011, but all are welcomed! Taught by Mark Porter, CFP® Class of 2005.

Light snacks will be served. Please register using the link below.
Web: https://alum.mit.edu/smarTrans/register-login.vm?eventID=61841&groupID=194
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98, (617) 252-1143, ebyrne@mit.edu
Sponsor: Alumni Association

Poor Economics
Abhijit Banerjee
Mon Jan 9, 01-02:30pm, E51-315

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Billions of government dollars, and thousands of charitable organizations and NGOs, are dedicated to helping the world's poor. But much of their work is based on assumptions that are untested generalizations at best, harmful misperceptions at worst.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Portfolio Diversification & Sector Investing
Richard J. Erickson, MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services
Tue Jan 17, 12-01:00pm, 32-124

Signup by: 12-Jan-2012
Limited to 60 participants.
Single session event

Learn why asset allocation is important and how diversification could help you more effectively work toward managing volatility.

Communications, financials, healthcare, natural resources, precious metals, real estate, technology, utilities… How diversified are sector funds? Why do some investors choose them? Come explore the concepts and benefits of focused investing.
Web: http://www.mitfcu.org
Contact: RSVP: www.mitfcu.org
Sponsor: MIT Federal Credit Union

Quarterly Market Update
Fred Kelley, Regional Consultant Fidelity Investments
Fri Jan 27, 12-01:30pm, W20-491, Student Ctr

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This workshop covers the forces influencing the financial markets and the U.S. economy; the factors affecting the performance of domestic and international equity markets; and what drives changes in bond-market interest rates and valuations.
Contact: Paul Gunning, Fidelity Investments, 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com
Sponsor: MIT Human Resources
Cosponsor: Fidelity Investments

Retirement Income Planning
Richard Erickson MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services
Tue Jan 24, 12-01:00pm, 32-124

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 17-Jan-2012
Limited to 60 participants.
Single session event

Attend a valuable seminar on how to build a retirement income plan. In this seminar, you’ll learn:

•How to get the most from your pension & Social Security
•How to invest to generate income during retirement
•How to make sure you can meet your heath care needs
•What sources of income you should draw upon and when
Web: http://www.mitfcu.org
Contact: RSVP: www.mitfcu.org
Sponsor: MIT Federal Credit Union

Social Security & Your Retirement
Richard Erickson MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services
Tue Jan 31, 12-01:00pm, 32-141

Signup by: 24-Jan-2012
Limited to 90 participants.
Single session event

Regardless of when you plan to retire, Social Security will likely be an important part of the road ahead. How can you get the most out of your benefits? Join us for an informational seminar that can help you set your financial direction and answer more of your questions.

•What are the rules for starting Social Security benefits?
•How do spouses coordinate their benefits?
•Are there different routes to take that could potentially increase your benefits?
•How do you decide where Social Security fits within your retirement plans?
Web: http://www.mitfcu.org
Contact: RSVP: www.mitfcu.org
Sponsor: MIT Federal Credit Union

Steps to Limit Future Global Financial Crises
Peter Diamond
Wed Jan 18, 01-02:30pm, E51-315

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Peter Diamond will discuss steps to limit future global financial crises with particular attention to the research needed to do a good job
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets
Phil Breeding, Regional Brokerage Consultant, Fidelity Investments
Wed Jan 25, 12-01:30pm, E51, Wong Auditorium

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This seminar focuses on stock trading by using popular chart types, technical approaches, and current indicators for gauging market trends and momentum.
Contact: Paul Gunning, Fidelity Investments, 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com
Sponsor: MIT Human Resources
Cosponsor: Fidelity Investments

The Current State of Health Care Reform in the U.S.
Jonathan Gruber
Thu Jan 12, 11-12:00am, E51-395

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This talk will discuss the path to national health reform, the content of the recent health care reform bill, and where we go from here.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

The Great Recession in Historical Perspective
Peter Temin
Mon Jan 23, 01-02:30pm, E51-335

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This talk compares the current crisis to the Great Depression and discussions after then. I discuss the cause, spread and recovery from each of the crises in turn. One of my themes comes from Marx: History repeats itself, the first time as tragedy, the second as farce.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

The Marketplace for Ideas - The Monetization of Patents
Everardo Ruiz SM '00, Intellectual Ventures, Patrik Edenholm, Siembra Group, Yoshi Ryujin, Ryujin Patents and Licensing Japan
Wed Feb 1, 10am-12:00pm, E62-250

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 28-Jan-2012
Single session event

Inventions are now bought and sold worldwide as businesses, institutes, agencies, and inventors seek to monetize their intellectual property through the sale of patents.
This seminar will present an overview of the patent marketplace from several regional perspectives, discuss modern patent strategy, and review several patent valuation approaches including key economic and legal factors.



Please register through the weblink below.
Web: https://alum.mit.edu/smarTrans/register-login.vm?eventID=61581&groupID=194
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98, (617) 252-1143, ebyrne@mit.edu
Sponsor: Alumni Association

Turmoil in the World Economy: A View from the IMF
Olivier Blanchard
Fri Jan 20, 01-02:30pm, E51-345

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Unofficial Guide To Trying to Do Empirical Work
Amy Finkelstein
Wed Jan 11, 10:30am-12:00pm, E51-376

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This talk will be aimed at graduate students trying to (or planning to try to do) empirical research. It will consist of some practical suggestions and tips and there will be time for questions.
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mirt.edu
Sponsor: Economics

Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Poverty and Prosperity
Daron Acemoglu
Tue Jan 17, 02:30-04:00pm, E51-335

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

What are the determinants of long-term success for a country? In Adam Smith's time, the poorest country was probably four or five times poorer than the richest. This disparity has grown incredibly—but why? Why do such gaps endure? And if we can diagnose these issues, can we then rectify them?
Contact: Linda Woodbury, E52-251, x3-8885, lwoodbur@mit.edu
Sponsor: Economics


MIT  
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Home | Overview | Participate | Organize | Offerings | Calendar | Search
Comments and questions to: iap-www@mit.edu Academic Resource Center, Room 7-104, 617-253-1668
Last update: 7 Sept. 2011