Teaching Overview

I believe mathematical techniques are just tools that make economic ideas more rigorous and explicit. The primary goal is to show students how to identify, attack, and solve problems abstracted from the real world from the standpoint of an economist. For example, in teaching ECON 353 I designed several case studies with topics on the creation of mortgage-backed securities through securitization and the function of government-sponsored enterprise like Freddie Mac. After going over the case background, reinforcing understanding through multiple choices, and utilizing Excel to analyze real data, students are encouraged to express their own opinions on the current credit crisis.

Substitute/Stand-Alone Lecturer

  • Econ 353. Money, Banking, and Financial Institutions

TA for Graduate Level Courses

  • Econ 600. Quantitative Methods in Economic Analysis
  • Econ 657. International Finance

TA for Undergraduate Level Courses

  • Econ 101. Principles of Microeconomics
  • Econ 102. Principles of Macroeconomics
  • Econ 301. Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Econ 455. International Trade

Students' Comments

  • "Xiang is so well prepared and always gives clear answers and concepts"
  • "Good lecturer, uses whiteboard and diagrams effectively, tries to create real-life examples"
  • "Xiang fully knows the material, and is patient to respond to any questions"