This course uses the economic approach to explore two distinct yet significant topics of Latin America: Innovation and Organ Donations. Economists believe that innovation is one of the primary drivers of economic development. Recent research has shown that there are two very different types of innovators, who have different goals and follow different processes. The initial segment of this course delves into this research, examining the careers and innovations of prominent Latin American innovators in a range of modern arts, including painters, writers, as well as entrepreneurs in the wine and gastronomy industry. Students will be tasked with selecting a Latin American innovator from any domain and conducting an analysis of their work. The latter part of the course will focus on the economics of organ donation, with focus on its applications within Latin American countries. Initially, we will discuss the reasons for the organ shortage and the long wait to receive a kidney. Subsequently, we will evaluate the impact of various policies on organ donations, including the controversial policy of introducing compensations for organ donors, default rules for deceased donation, kidney exchange, global kidney exchange, priority rules. Students, working in groups, will apply the concepts and principles discussed to analyze the organ donation system within a selected Latin American country.
4 units · Letter (ABCD/NP) · GER: WAY-SI
This course uses the economic approach to explore two distinct yet significant topics of Latin America: Innovation and Organ Donations. Economists believe that innovation is one of the primary drivers of economic development. Recent research has shown that there are two very different types of innovators, who have different goals and follow different processes. The initial segment of this course delves into this research, examining the careers and innovations of prominent Latin American innovators in a range of modern arts, including painters, writers, as well as entrepreneurs in the wine and gastronomy industry. Students will be tasked with selecting a Latin American innovator from any domain and conducting an analysis of their work. The latter part of the course will focus on the economics of organ donation, with focus on its applications within Latin American countries. Initially, we will discuss the reasons for the organ shortage and the long wait to receive a kidney. Subsequently, we will evaluate the impact of various policies on organ donations, including the controversial policy of introducing compensations for organ donors, default rules for deceased donation, kidney exchange, global kidney exchange, priority rules. Students, working in groups, will apply the concepts and principles discussed to analyze the organ donation system within a selected Latin American country.
Offered in Spring 2027 at Stanford University.