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James M. Murray

Curriculum Vitae

Last Updated:
May 10, 2012

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Contact Information

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Department of Economics
1725 State St.
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone (office and mobile): (608)406-4068
E-mail: jmurray@uwlax.edu
Web: http://www.murraylax.org
SSRN: http://ssrn.com/author=684582

Education

Ph.D. Economics, Indiana University September 2008
M.A. Economics, Indiana University May 2004
M.A. Economics, University of Notre Dame May 2002
B.S. Economics, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse May 2000

Employment

Assistant Professor University Wisconsin - La Crosse August 2009 - present
Adjunct Professor Viterbo University May 2006 - August 2007, May 2010 - present
Assistant Professor Viterbo University August 2008 - May 2009
Teaching Fellow IUPU - Columbus August 2007 - May 2008
Associate Instructor Indiana University September 2003 - May 2007
Adjunct Professor Ivy Tech State College March 2004 - August 2004

Teaching Interests

Undergraduate:
Principles and Intermediate Macroeconomics
Principles and Intermediate Microeconomics
Environmental / Sustainability Economics
Business Research Methods
Money and Banking / Monetary Economics
Statistical Methods / Econometrics
Graduate:
Business Research Methods
Quantitative Methods / Operations Research
Statistical Methods / Econometrics
Macroeconomics
Monetary Economics

Research Interests

Learning and Expectations in Dynamic Macroeconomies
Applied Macroeconometrics
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
AIDS and Economic Development

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • "Pencasts for Introductory Macroeconomics," (2012), Forthcoming in Journal of Economic Education.
  • "Regime Switching and Wages in Major League Baseball Under the Reserve Clause," with Michael Haupert, (2012), Cliometrica, 6(2): pp. 143-162.
  • "Channels for Improved Performance From Living on Campus," with Pedro de Araujo, (2010), American Journal of Business Education, 3(12): pp. 57-64.
  • "Estimating the Effects of Dormitory Living on Student Performance," with Pedro de Araujo, (2010), Economics Bulletin, 30(1): pp. 866-878.
  • "Shirking in Major League Baseball in the Era of the Reserve Clause," with Glenn Knowles, Michael Haupert, and Keith Sherony, (2001), Nine: A Journal of Baseball History and Social Policy Perspectives, Volume 9.

Papers Under Revise-Resubmit

  • "Dynamics of Monetary Policy Uncertainty and the Impact of the Macroeconomy." Under revision for Economics Bulletin.
  • "A Life Insurance Deterrent to Risky Behavior in Africa" with Pedro de Araujo. Under revision for Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy.

Working Papers and Works in Progress

  • "Labor Markets and Adaptive Expectations: Estimating a New Keynesian Model with Learning and Unemployment."
  • "Fiscal and Expenditure Multipliers When There are Adaptive Expectations."
  • "Lesson Study: Developing Students' Thought Processes For Choosing Appropriate Statistical Methods," with Elizabeth Knowles.
  • "Learning with Judgment Shocks in the New Keynesian Model"
  • "Regime Switching, Learning, and the Great Moderation"

Professional (Non-Refereed) Publications

  • "Of Mice and Men: Using a Book Club to Improve Teaching and Learning," with Kathryn Birkeland, Betsy Knowles, and Laurie Strangman, The Teaching Professor, December 2010.
  • "Expectations for Monetary Policy," Business Connection, April 2008.
  • "Economic Outlook for Bio-Fuels," Business Connection, January 2008.

  • Teaching Experience

    University of Wisconsin - La Crosse:
    ECO 120: Global Macroeconomics 7 Courses including 3 online.
    BUS 230: Business & Economics Research and Communication 2 Courses.
    ECO 301: Money and Banking 2 Courses
    ECO 305: Intermediate Macroeconomics 1 Course
    ECO 400: Monetary Theory and Policy 1 Course
    ECO 499: Independent Study in Mathematical Economics 3 Courses
    ECO 499: Independent Study in Advanced Econometrics 1 Course
    BUS 735: Business Decision Making and Research 2 Courses
    Viterbo University:
    Econ 101: Introductory Macroeconomics 1 Course
    Econ 102: Introductory Macroeconomics 1 Course
    Math 130: Introductory Statistics 3 Courses
    Mgmt 230: Introductory Statistics for Business 2 Courses
    Mgmt 560: Management and Decision Science 2 Courses
    Econ 610: Global Business Cycles 2 Courses including 1 online.
    Mgmt 662: Integrative Research Project 2 1 Course
    Indiana University (IUB / IUPUC):
    Econ 202: Principles of Macroeconomics (IUPUC)1 Course
    Econ 270: Introductory Statistics (IUPUC) 2 Courses
    Econ E201: Principles of Microeconomics (IUB) 6 Courses
    Econ E202: Principles of Macroeconomics (IUB) 2 Courses
    Econ E322: Intermediate Macroeconomics (IUB) 2 Courses

    Conference and Seminar Presentations

    • "Dynamics of Monetary Policy Uncertainty and the Impact on the Macroeconomy," with Nicholas Herro.
      • Midwest Economic Association Annual Meeting, Evanstan, IL, March 2012
      • University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Faculty Research Day, January 2012.
    • "Learning with Judgment Shocks in U.S. Business Cycles,"
      • University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Department of Economics invited seminar, April 2011.
      • Colorado College Department of Economics and Business invited seminar, March 2011.
      • Midwest Economic Association Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO, March 2011.
    • "Channels for Improved Performance From Living on Campus," with Pedro de. Araujo.
      • Western Economic Association International Annual Meeting, Portland Oregon, July 2010.
    • "Of Mice and Men: Using a Book Club to Improve Teaching and Learning," with Kathryn Birkeland, Taggert Brooks, Elizabeth Knowles, and Laurie Strangman.
      • Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning 12th Annual Conference, La Crosse, WI, August 2010.
    • "Learning with Expectational Shocks in the New Keynesian Model"
      • Midwest Economic Association Annual Meeting, Evanstan, IL, March 2010.
    • "A Life Insurance Deterrent to Risky Behavior in Africa" with Pedro de Araujo.
      • University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Faculty Research Day, January 2010.
      • Southern Economic Association Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, November 2009.
    • "Regime Switching, Learning, and the Great Moderation"
      • Missouri Economics Conference, University of Missouri, March 2009.
    • "Initial Expectations in New Keynesian Models with Learning"
      • Winona State University Economics and Finance Department invited seminar, February 2009.
      • University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Economics Department Seminar, December 2008.
    • "Financial Crises 101," Topics Unlimited, St. John Episcopalian Seminar Series, October 2008.
    • "Empirical Significance of Learning in a New Keynesian Model with Firm-Specific Capital"
      • Learning Week Conference, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, July 2007.
      • Indiana University Economics Department Brown Bag Workshop, May 2007.
      • Jordan River Conference, Indiana University, April 2007.
      • Missouri Economics Conference, University of Missouri, March 2007.
    • "Empirical Significance of Learning and the Consequences of Mis-specifying Expectations"
      • Indiana Academy of Social Sciences Annual Meeting, October 2006.
      • Jordan River Conference, Indiana University, April 2006.
    • "Liquidity in a Two Country Open Economy Model: Evidence from United States and Germany"
      • Jordan River Conference, Indiana University, April 2005.

    Professional Development Activities

    • Professional training, Online Instructor Training Certification Course, July-August 2010.
    • Teaching conference, AIMS (Adapting Innovative Materials for Statistics) Workshop, Minneapolis, MN. July 2008.
    • Teaching conference, Indiana University FACET (Faculty Colloquium on Excellence in Teaching) Summer Institute. July 2007.
    • Teaching workshop, "Designing Assignments that Promote Critical Thinking," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, April 2012.
    • Teaching workshop, "Blended Learning," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, March 2012.
    • Teaching workshop, "Small Interventions that can have Big Effects on Educational Achievement," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, March 2012.
    • Teaching workshop, "Creating Authentic Assignments," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, February 2012.
    • Teaching workshop, "Classroom Time Saving Google Apps," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, January 2012.
    • Teaching workshop, "Motivating Student Learning," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, December 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Self and Peer Evaluation of Online Instruction," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, November 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Efficient and Effective Feedback: Responding to Student Writing in Business Courses," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, October 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Self and Peer Evaluation of Online Instruction," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, November 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Improving Student Writing in Business Courses," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, September 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Student Learning 1.0: Three Strategies to Improve Student Learning," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, September 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Introduction to Lesson Study," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, January 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "How to Generate and Facilitate Good Discussions," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, January 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Writing About Teaching for Personnel Decisions," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, January 2011.
    • Teaching workshop, "Technology in Teaching: Webquests," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, November 2010.
    • Teaching workshop, "Using Classroom Assessment Techniques to Understand Student Learning," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, November 2010.
    • Teaching workshop, "Four Birds with One Stone," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, September 2010.
    • Teaching workshop, "Writing Measurable Learning Objectives," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, September 2010.
    • Teaching workshop, "Designing and Delivering Quality Online Courses," Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Workshop, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, October 2009.
    • Teaching workshop, "Facilitative Teaching," presented by Dr. Christine Kelly at Viterbo University, August 2008.
    • Teaching workshop, "Becoming a Skillful Teacher," presented by Dr. Stephen Brookfield at Viterbo University, August 2008.
    • Teaching workshop, "Service Learning," Center for Service and Learning, Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis, January 2008.

    Professional/Academic Service

    Referee Service (number of papers reviewed for each in parentheses):
    Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking (2), Journal of Economic Education (1), Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics & Econometrics (1), Emerging Markets Finance and Trade (1), Journal of Macroeconomics (1).
    University of Wisconsin - La Crosse:
    • College of Business Administration, Writing Interest Group member, January 2012 - present.
    • College of Business Administration, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee member, August 2011 - present.
    • Economics Club Faculty Adviser, August 2011 - present.
    • Omicron Delta Epsilon, Faculty Adviser, November 2009 - present.
    • Economics Department Assessment Committee, January 2010 - present, Chair: August 2011 - present.
    • Principles of Microeconomics Textbook Selection Committee, Chair. August 2011 - June 2012.
    • University Graduate Council committee member, August 2011 - June 2012.
    • Assessment Evaluation for Critical Thinking College of Business learning outcome, November 2011.
    • Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Search and Screen Committee member, April 2011 - August 2011.
    • Economics Department Merit Committee member, August 2010 - June 2011.
    • Economics Department Search and Screen Committee member, August 2011 - February 2012.
    • Assessment Evaluation for Competency in the Economics Major, May 2011.
    • Textbook Selection Committee for BUS 230: Business Research Methods and Communication, Spring 2011.
    • Learning Objectives Committee for ECO 120: Global Macroeconomics, Fall 2009 - Fall 2010.
    • College of Business Administration Graduate Curriculum Committee, Fall 2009 - present.
    • Economics Department Assessment Committee, Spring 2010 - present.
    • Faculty Adviser for Omicron Delta Epsilon (Honors Society in Economics), Spring 2010 - present.
    • (Convener) Ad-hoc Learning Objectives Committee for ECO 305: Intermediate Macroeconomics, Spring 2010.
    • Ad-hoc Textbook Selection Committee for ECO 120: Global Macroeconomics, Spring 2010.
    • Ad-hoc Learning Objectives Committee for BUS 230: Business Research Methods and Communication, Fall 2009.
    Viterbo University:
    • Environmental Task Force, Fall 2008 - Spring 2009.
    • Environmental Studies Committee, Fall 2008 - Spring 2009.
    • Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) faculty adviser, Fall 2008 - Spring 2009.
    • Dahl School of Business Graduate Curriculum Committee, Spring 2009.
    • Assisted in organizing visit of Economics Nobel Laureate Edward Prescott to Viterbo University, Fall 2008.
    Indiana University Purdue University - Columbus:
    • Economics Candidate Search and Screen Committee, Fall 2007 - Spring 2008.

    Competitive Grants and Awards

    Grants and awards related to teaching:
    • Curricular Redesign Grant, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Principal investigator. $20,000. Funded. "Integrating the Economics Curriculum Through a Unified Emphasis on Critical Thinking and Communication," with Nabamita Dutta, Lisa Giddings, Michael Haupert, Wahhab Khandker, Glenn Knowles, and John Nunley. July 2012 - June 2013.
    • Lesson Study Grant, Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning. $1,200. Funded. "Efficient and Effective Feedback: A Lesson Study Investigating Students' Responses and Follow-up to Feedback on Their Writing" with Taggert Brooks, Elizabeth Knowles, Bryan Kopp, and Laurie Strangman, July 2012 - June 2013.
    • Teaching Innovation Grant, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Principal investigator. $3,000. Funded. "Video Lessons for Graphing Modeling Strategy in Principles of Economics," with Glenn Knowles, July 2012 - August 2012.
    • Lesson Study Grant, Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning. $1,000. Funded. "Lesson Study: Developing Students' Thought Processes For Choosing Appropriate Statistical Methods," with Elizabeth Knowles, July 2011 - June 2012.
    • Online Education Grant, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. $3,000. Funded to develop an online course for ECO 120: Global Macroeconomics. November 2010 - August 2010.
    • Future Faculty Teaching Fellowship, Indiana University, August 2007 - May 2008.
    Grants and awards related to research:
    • Faculty Research Grant, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. $4,000. Funded. "Labor Markets and Adaptive Expectations: Estimating a New Keynesian Model with Learning and Unemployment," July 2012 - June 2013.
    • College of Business Research Grant, "Fiscal and Expenditure Multipliers When There are Adaptive Expectations," $3,000. Funded. April 2011 - June 2011.
    • Faculty Research Grant, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. $3,500. Funded. "Academic Benefits of Living on Campus: A look at Peer Influences and Utilization of University Provided Resources," July 2010 - June 2011.
    • Jordan River Conference Best Graduate Student Paper Award, Indiana University, April 2007.

    Community Service

    • Junior Achievement Volunteer Instructor, La Crosse, WI. April 2009 - June 2009.
    • Mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Columbus, IN. January 2008 - May 2008.
    • Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) Book Buddy. September 2007 - April 2008.
    • Science/Inventor Fair judge. Central Middle School, Columbus, IN. February 2008.

    Computer Skills

    • Teaching Tools:
      • Course management tools including Desire2Learn, Blackboard, and Oncourse CL; Online homework tools including Aplia and MyEconLab.
      • Video screen capture software including Jing/Snagit and Explain Everything (iPad).
      • Electronic classroom response systems including PollEverywhere, E-instruction CPS (Classroom Performance System), Interwrite PRS (Personal Response System).
      • Typing short-cut utilities including Breevy and TextExpander.
      • Diagram software including Dia, OmniGS (iPad), Google Docs.
    • Econometrics / Statistics: MatLab, Octave, R, Gauss, Maple, Stata, EViews, Limdep, RATS, SAS, SPSS, Statistica, GNU Scientific Libraries for C, LAPACK (Linear Algebra Package for Fortran).
    • Programming Languages: C, C++, MS Visual C++, MS Visual Basic, Java, Fortran, Eiffel, Perl.
    • Web Programming: Java, Perl, HTML, Javascript.
    • Operating Systems: Linux, Unix, Windows.
    • Other: LATEX, Beamer for LATEX, Emacs, SQL, Unix shell programming (BASH, CSH), MS Office, Google Docs.

    References

    Dr. Taggert Brooks
    Chair, Department of Economics
    Associate Professor of Economics
    University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
    1725 State St.
    La Crosse, WI 54601
    E-mail: tbrooks@uwlax.edu
    Dr. Michael Haupert
    Professor of Economics
    University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
    1725 State St.
    La Crosse, WI 54601
    E-mail: mhaupert@uwlax.edu
    Dr. Bill Cerbin
    Director, Center for Advancing
       Teaching and Learning
    Professor of Psychology
    University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
    1725 State St.
    La Crosse, WI 54601
    E-mail: wcerbin@uwlax.edu
    Dr. Robert Hoar
    Interim Associate Vice Chancellor
       for Academic Affairs
    Professor of Mathematics
    University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
    1725 State St.
    La Crosse, WI 54601
    E-mail: rhoar@uwlax.edu<