Behavioral Finance Classes?

[LounginMKL]

Hi guys,

I was told that Yale is strong in behavioral finance. Yet, I did not see any behavioral finance course on the list of electives.

http://www.som.yale.edu/students/courses/elective/Finance-Electives-2000-01.asp#MGT541

Am I looking at the right place? Also, does this list reflect what is currently being offered? Thanks

[Edna]

Hi -
I'm not sure where that link is from, but don't worry, it does not show a complete list of courses. The link for current electives is actually right here:
https://www.som.yale.edu/students/courses/elective/electives_schedule.asp

If that doesn't work, just go to www.som.yale.edu and click on the "elective courses" link under the "courses" section. If you click on the behavioral finance link (MGT 641), you'll see a description of that course.

Happy holidays,
Edna (SOM '08)

[lewellen]

There is a behavioral finance elective that is part of the core set of finance electives at SOM. I am actually TAing this course right now. Last year it was taught by Owen Lamont, and this year it is being taught by Lauren Cohen. There is also a somewhat related class named Behavioral and Institutional Economics which was taught this year by Robert Shiller. Finally, if you REALLY love behavioral finance, Nick Barberis teaches a PhD course in behavioral finance that takes a deeper look at some of the theoretical underpinnings of the field.

One other quick comment - a lot of the 'normal' finance classes at SOM also have a behavioral tilt to them. I can only think of a handful of finance classes I've taken where behavioral concepts have not been covered. In terms of the quality of the faculty and breadth of electives offered, I don't think any other business school comes close to matching SOM in the world of behavioral finance.

Hope this helps.