Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will deliver four lectures this spring for a class of George Washington undergraduates, giving students a firsthand look at the workings of the country’s central banking system.
The 1.5-credit, seven week course—“Reflections of the Federal Reserve and its Place in Today’s Economy”—begins March 20. Professor Tim Fort, chair of the Department of Strategic Management and Public Policy, will also teach the class. Any undergraduate student may apply if interested. Applicants should be in strong academic standing and have knowledge of the Federal Reserve. Details about the application process will be announced soon.
During his time as chairman, Dr. Bernanke has worked to educate people about the role of the Federal Reserve in today’s economy. The opportunity for students to gain that type of insider insight is “unmatched,” said GW School of Business Dean Doug Guthrie.
“Through our location in Washington, D.C. and faculty relationships, we are able to leverage fantastic opportunities like this for our students,” Dr. Guthrie said. “We are grateful Chairman Bernanke’s commitment to education led him here, and we look forward to having him on campus.”
Dr. Fort echoed those sentiments.
“This class is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with the chairman of the Federal Reserve and to consider its greater meaning in society today,” he said. “It is an unbelievable gift for our students to be able to talk about such an important subject with one of the leaders of the world economy.”
Dr. Bernanke began his tenure as chairman in 2006 and is in his second term. He is also the chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee, the system’s principal monetary policymaking body, and previously served as a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University and assistant professor of economics at Stanford University.