The course is particularly well suited to anyone willing to gain some general knowledge and historical perspectives on the functioning of our institutions today. The financial landscape is rapidly evolving as we are facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis. Many of the themes of this class have special relevance today: how banks and credit markets amplify or absorb economic shocks, how banking regulation limits the risks of a banking crisis, how monetary policy affects growth and inequalities, how financial institutions channel funds from households to firms, how central banks curb inflations. Examining these questions will provide you with a holistic view of finance, capital markets, and the role of financial institutions.