This website contains the class material for Economics of Superstars (Econ 19) I teach at UCLA.

Lectures

Below is an html version of all individual lectures, as well as a timetable of the class.

  • Sep 30. Lecture 1 - Introduction to the Economics of Superstars
  • Oct 07. Lecture 2 - The Statistical Distibution of Superstars: Gaussian VS Pareto
  • Oct 14. Lecture 3 - Superstars in Music, Sports and Entertainment
  • Nov 18. Lecture 4 - Presentations 1
  • Nov 25. Lecture 5 - Presentations 2

Presentations

The presentations will take place during the last two sessions, on November 18 and November 25. Most of the papers are taken from a symposium on “The Top 1 Percent” in the Journal of Economic Perspectives. The papers will be presented by groups of 2. Each group should present for about 15 to 20 minutes. We will then have a 5 to 10 minutes classroom discussion on the paper. Your presentations should include at least a summary of the paper, and an overview of the main points. A critical take, as well as your personal thoughts on the paper, are strongly encouraged.