Reading Group

The Gatton College formed the Junto Reading Group in the fall of 2016. Named for the original Junto started by Benjamin Franklin in 1727, the Junto Reading Group’s purpose is to engage students in an exploration of ideas and issues at the intersection of business, economics, and policy. The Junto Reading Group meets five times per semester. ISFE Director, Dr. Charles Courtemanche, is the group facilitator. 

The readings and discussion are focused through the lens of market-based solutions to economic and social issues. Past topics have included the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship, economic development of low income countries, fairness and markets, how to organize college sports, school choice, pharmaceutical regulation, history of economic thought, and artificial intelligence. 

The group most recently read New Ideas from Dead Economists: The Introduction to Modern Economic Thought by Todd G. Buchholz. 

"My economics education would not be of the same quality without Junto. The reading group has facilitated some of the most intellectual, thoughtful, and inquisitive conversations I’ve had while at campus at UK. Junto also provides an opportunity to form genuine friendships among like-minded students. Compound all that with fascinating reading material and with some sharp economic brains, and you end up with a pretty incredible experience."
— Luke Schlake

“Being a part of the Junto Reading Group over the past few semesters during my senior year has been a very rewarding experience. This welcoming and incredibly productive collaborative environment has allowed me to maximize my enjoyment in not only economic theory but real-world applications of classroom material as well. Amidst a community of engaged minds, Dr. Courtemanche has been an exceptional group discussion leader, nurturing an environment of camaraderie and collaboration. His guidance not only facilitates a genuine interest in economic theory, but an authentic passion for learning amongst all who participate. I am very grateful for the Junto discussion group and the opportunity to grow my interest in economics amongst like-minded individuals, I would recommend this group for all students.”
— Noah Merkel

"Junto encouraged me to look into economic topics outside of what we learned in class. I regret not joining it sooner. Connecting the oldest economic theories to modern issues like the shortages of the U.S. healthcare system isn't something I'd do on my own, but the other Junto members' passion made me want to be a part of the conversation. Discussions about economics can be a risky venture because of how entwined it can be with politics, and having a set space and set time to discuss economics with a group of people who understand or want to understand what economics actually means is absolutely invaluable today."
— Molly Tierney

"Junto has been one of the most intellectually engaging experiences of my college career. It is an environment in which freedom of thought is respected to the uttermost, enabling us to have frank discussions about important topics without the fear of retribution that characterizes so much of the rest of the college experience. I am very grateful for the conversations I have had and the great people I have met in this group. One of the most important topics we discussed this year was Thomas Sowell’s Conflict of Visions. We outlined the distinctions between the “constrained” and “unconstrained” views of the world, comparing and contrasting them with our own ideas and discussing their applicability in the realm of political economy."
— Caleb Waters

“As a Political Science major, I have learned about many economic theories and philosophies in my experience in Junto. The book, New Ideas From Dead Economists, initiated productive discussions on economists such as Friedman and Keynes. Our group had many international students and students with a wide range of majors. This allowed me to hear multiple perspectives and understand why economic issues can be so complex. The Junto discussion group has given me great insights in the field of economics that I would have never considered before joining this discussion group; it has led to more personal enquiry, interest in more areas of the subject, and greater enjoyment of the subject.”
— Noah Halloran