Course Description

Instructor: Shai Robkin

This course explores many of the ideas featured in the second season of the NBC show “The Irrational.” We will also examine some of the new and emerging research into the underlying forces, many unknown to our conscious minds, that drive individual and collective societal behaviors, focusing on the work of behavioral economists, social psychologists and neuroscientists. Where applicable, we’ll see what behavioral scientists have to say about some of the most important and often divisive issues of the day and their possible implications for public policy.

Bio: Shai is a serial entrepreneur. Born and raised in Atlanta, he moved to Israel in 1976 immediately following his marriage to fellow Atlantan, Judy Birnbrey. Following a career in international banking, Shai and Judy opened Israelâ's first combination bookstore/coffee shop in 1981. They returned to Atlanta in 1984 to care for aging parents, using the proceeds from the sale of the Israeli store to acquire Vernon, a manufacturer and distributor of library supplies. Vernonâ's technology division was sold in 2011 to One Equity Partners, a division of JP Morgan. Since then, Shai has continued to direct Vernonâ's operations while engaging in outside business consulting and education, including a position as the transitional leader of Conexx, the America Israel Business Connector.