School of Business and Economics
Department of Economics & Statistics

Tom Larson Professor Office: Simpson Tower, 908  Phone: (323) 343-2938/2930  FAX: (323)343-5462  Email: tlarson@calstatela.edu

IntroductionTeaching InterestsResearch Interests
Educational BackgroundSchedule & Office HoursPublications

Introduction

I came to Los Angeles because I was attracted by the diversity of cultures here. Cal State LA well represents that diversity and has been a source of inspiration for my professional work. Students are always welcome to stop by my office, even just to chat (during office hours!).

Teaching Interests

I teach a variety of courses (a reflection of varied interests), but specialize in labor and urban economics. Much of my work has been on minority youth employment, but I am also interested in development in inner-cities and examine minority self-employment as part of my labor curriculum. I also teach the economics of regulation (ECON 405) and the economics of poverty and inequality in the United States (ECON 350). My teaching is rounded out with courses in economic theory (ECON 201, 202 and 310) and statistics (ECON 209). I try to incorporate research interests in my teaching and also try to use local labor markets as material for lectures.

Research Interests

Currently, I am working on a study of the development barriers faced by inner-city neighborhoods. I recently completed a revision of my study of affirmative action programs for government contractors in California. I have also published a second study of the economy of South Central Los Angeles. I found that there are many myths about South Central and actually found little basis for some of the more negative stereotypes. I found an area that is today experiencing development, although there has been decay in the past (and there are still neighborhoods that are in economic decline). My 1996 report on South Central can be downloaded from the internet - just click on the title and follow directions. I am continuing to study the lack of full-service grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods. This is not only an economic problem, but also is being treated by health care professionals as something that affects health. A lack of fresh produce and fresh meat can have significant negative impacts on health.

Representative Professional Activities

Date	Selected Publications
2003	Larson, Tom, Why There Will Be No Chain Supermarkets in Poor Inner City Neighborhoods, California Politics and Policy, June, Vol. 7, NO. 1, Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs, California State University, Los Angeles
1999	Larson, Tom and Madhu Mohanty, Minority Youth Employment, Residential Location, and Neighborhood Jobs: A Study of Los Angeles County in The Review of Black Political Economy, Fall
1999	Larson, Tom, Affirmative Action Programs for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses in Impacts of Affirmative Action: Policies and Consequences in California, Paul Ong, editor, Altamira Press, Walnut Creek
1998	A New View of the Economy of South Central, in Cities: The International Journal of Urban Planning, September
1997	The Impact of Local-Government Affirmative Action Programs for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses in California, in The Impact of Affirmative Action on Public-Sector Employment and Contracting in California, California Policy Seminar, University of California, Berkeley
1996	Rebuilding South Central Los Angeles: Myths, Realities and Opportunities, School of Business and Economics, CSULA
1995	Black Youth Employment and Residential Location: A Study of Los Angeles County, California Politics and Policy, "Pat" Brown Institute of Public Affairs, CSULA, November
1995	A Critique of the Contingent Labor Thesis, with Paul Ong, Journal of Economic Issues, December
1995	Mohanty, Madhu and Tom Larson, "Impact of the Worker's Employment Probability on Wage Rates," Applied Economics, March
1994	Imbalance in Part-time Employment, with Paul Ong, Journal of Economic Issues, March
1993	Latino Public Employment and Political Representation in Los Angeles: 1969-1989, Pat Brown Institute Occasional Paper #4
1992	The Effect of Discrimination and Segregation on Black Male Migration, The Review of Black Political Economy, Winter

Educational Background

Fall, 2008 Schedule

To access course materials, click on the course number

Office Hours: MW 2:30 to 4:30

Winter, 2009 Schedule

Office Hours: MW 2:30-4:30

Spring, 2009 Schedule

Office Hours: MW 12:15- 1:00 and 3:15-4:30