James Starkey, Professor. (Ph.D., Boston College, 1971.) Professor Starkey taught
statistics at Boston College before coming to URI in 1967. Between 1968 and 1973 he worked
on numerous research projects through the URI Center for Business and Economic Research
and the RI Department of Health. He also served as a consultant to the RI State Budget
Office, The New England Economic Project, several state Municipalities and the Governor's
office. Governor Noel appointed him to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform in 1973.
He presently sits on the Board of Governors of the RI Joint Reinsurance Association.
Professor Starkey is a member of the society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics and
his research typically crosses several disciplines. Most recently, Professor Starkey has
published articles relating to the effects of married women 's labor force participation
and male unemployment on divorce; the effects of housing costs on women's labor force
participation (with B. Port); and an intellectual history on the race theories of John R.
Commons (with Y. Ramstad). At present he is studying the effects of childhood lead
poisoning on IQ and future earnings and political ecology. In addition to the usual
introductory economics courses, Professor Starkey teaches ECN 100-Introduction to
Economics: An Ecological Approach, ECN 342-Public Finance and Public Policy, and ECN 404 -
Political Economy of Class, Race and Gender. He is especially interested in students who
wish to combine their studies in economics with their interests in Psychology, Sociology,
Anthropology, History, Philosophy, Ecology, and Politics.
Professor Starkey's classes are:
