Note: pasted below is the material I am handing students at 4pm today (Tuesday, October 28), as a guide to what to expect from this class. We hope to webcast the second class, next week, Tuesday, November 4; details to follow. Other forms of interaction will depend on interest expressed by you and by the students.
Professor: Simon Johnson
One Page Summary of Syllabus for 15.976, Special Seminar in Management
Real-time Deep Dive into the Global Crisis as It Evolves
Tuesdays, 4pm-7pm; H2 of fall semester; in E51-345. There will be a break around 5:30pm so people can go to other events as needed. The first half of each class will be a lecture or structured interaction. The second half will be a broad ranging set of discussions. You are welcome to propose topics.
The world is entering a deep financial and economic crisis from which we are unlikely to soon emerge. All of our preconceptions about the nature and location of growth around the world need to be reevaluated. This course will build on what you know about macroeconomics and finance. It will also engage you with the broader debate about these issues outside MIT. No prerequisites.
All readings are available on: http://BaselineScenario.com. Be sure to check there under the category of “Classroom”. But also look at regular updates to our Baseline, our latest policy proposals and generally follow postings as they go up; you can sign up for updates or subscribe (all free). Posting comments on the website is strongly encouraged.
Sloan Professional Standards apply. Ask if you have any doubts about appropriate behavior. Parts or all of some sessions may be recorded. Official website: http://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/15/fa08/15.976/. Also a good resource: http://www.iie.com/realtime/.
Tuesday, October 28: In the Deep End – Saving the Eurozone
Lecture: Latest developments
Discussion: Cracks in the global landscape. Engaging with the world, through the web.
November 4: The Fiscal Stimulus and Other Policy Responses
Lecture: What can policy do? [See my testimony to the Joint Economic Committee, Oct 30]
Discussion: Understanding how the crisis became global.
November 11: No class (MIT holiday)
November 18: The G20 Summit (which will be held November 14-15 in Washington, D.C.)
Lecture: Summit outcomes.
Discussion: After the US election, now what?
Tentative schedule is below here. This will be revised as events warrant. Suggestions for guests to invite, in person or by phone, are very welcome:
November 25: Europe in the Headlights
December 2: Emerging Markets (focus on India and China)
December 9: Developing countries (with Gates Foundation involvement)
December 16 (final session): What(ever) next for the global economy?
Update (November 30): Class was not held on November 25.
The Baseline Scenario 
I’m not an MIT student, and I wanted to say thanks for sharing. You have simplified complex topics so a layperson can understand. And though your work on may keep me up at night, I really appreciate it.
In general, the freely available resources that MIT provides has truly enriched my life.
Will the webcast be available to people who are not students of MIT? I’m especially interested in the global aspects of the various crises playing out now.
Thanks for including your general readership in this class. I’ll definitely be following and I hope to participate through comments.