Kiwon Kang, Ph.D. is an assistant professor, and he joined the Department of Economics in January 2022. Each month, we feature a Q&A with a faculty, alumni or student member as part of our newsletter for undergraduates, and here is our Q&A with Professor Kang:
Will you tell us a little bit about your journey to where you are today?
After earning my Ph.D. from the Economics Department in 2002, I had worked at the International Studies and Programs (ISP) at MSU for 19 years until June 2021. Teaching and advising at ISP were both a valuable experience for me. I taught applied macroeconomics, entitled “Current Macroeconomic Issues in the U.S.”, for visiting scholars. Since 2004, I have been teaching EC 201 (Introduction to Microeconomics) and/or EC 202 (Introduction to Macroeconomics) for undergraduate students. I have also been teaching PPL 813 (Public Finance) for graduate students since 2024. Teaching both undergraduate/graduate students and visiting scholars has brought me wider insights and deeper understandings of how to effectively deliver my economics knowledge into a classroom audience. As the Economics Department has been my home for many years, I was pleased and grateful to be back where I began.
Could you please give students insight into what they will learn in the EC courses that you teach?
EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics: Students will learn the basic knowledge of micro issues and get a sense for a real economy by applying what they learned from the class into real life scenarios. Throughout the semester, they will practice on how to think and act like an economist. At the end of the semester, students will be able to speak and write in an articulate manner about the large range of economic problems and issues in the world.
PPL 813 Public Finance: Students will learn the role that governments by discussing the questions of why, how and when governments do (and/or should) intervene and the consequences of government policies. The class covers empirical and theoretical tools and concepts, and then follows up with the analysis of externalities, social insurance programs and tax policy. This class will build on microeconomic analysis, but it will be strongly motivated by actual policies.
What is your teaching style or philosophy?
I believe my role is to guide students in the right direction. I emphasize three important points in my teaching style: inspiration, stimulation, and encouragement. During my teachings, I’d like to inspire students to learn while also stimulating them to explore new knowledge and connect ideas with their fields. Encouraging students to think and act like an economist has also always been a major goal of mine.
What is an interesting fact, favorite hobby, or something else fun about yourself?
I have always been a crazy fan about MSU football and basketball. During my 30+ years at MSU, I was very lucky to be able to witness the celebration of the basketball team’s national championship in 2000, as well as the football team’s amazing victory in the 100th Rose Bowl in 2014. Experiencing the 2015 football Big Ten championship win live in person at Indianapolis will also always be a core memory of mine. My ‘little’ dream is to enjoy another two championships before I retire, and I believe that is possible. Go Green!