course descriptions
Prerequisite Grade
All prerequisites must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
Lower Division Courses
3 Principles of Micro-Economics
Introduction to the concepts and tools of micro-economic analysis. Micro-economics is concerned with individual economic units including representative consumers, firms, and markets. Topics include resource allocation, income distribution, and price, wage, and quantity determination in competitive and noncompetitive markets. Microeconomic analysis, based in models of the rational decision-making behavior, is applied to selected current economic issues.
4 Principles of Macro-Economics
Introduction to the concepts and tools of macro-economic analysis. Macro-economics is concerned with the relationship between major economic aggregates including firms, households, and government. Topics include the determination of the level of aggregate economic activity, inflation, unemployment as well as government’s ability to achieve a full employment, noninflationary Gross Domestic Product using fiscal and monetary policy. Macroeconomics is applied to current economic issues including economic growth, business cycles, the government budget, and the policies of the Federal Reserve.
10 Economics and Society
A nontechnical, introductory approach to micro- and macro-economics principles and issues designed for students with little or no background in economics who desire to learn what it’s about. Students are introduced to the tools, terminology, and analytical methodology of economics through their application to a number of real world social, political, and economic issues. Economics 10 does not substitute for Economics 3 or 4, and may not be taken by those who have completed Economics 3-4 (previously 1 -2).
Upper Division Courses
Principles of Micro/Macro-Economics are prerequisite to all upper division courses except Economics 100, 111, 150, and 180.
100 Issues and Topics in Economics
Analysis of a selected theme, topic, issue, era, or region not covered by the regular course offerings of the department. Subject of the course will be announced prior to registration each semester when offered. Course will not be offered each semester but may be repeated for credit as content varies.
102 Development of Economic Thought
The course explores the historical and theoretical foundations of economic theory, with an emphasis on the classical political economists of the 18th and 19th centuries through a critical reading and analysis of the original works of important economic thinkers like Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Karl Marx and John Maynard Keynes. The course seeks to understand the relevance of the ideas of these early economists to modern economic theory and issues.
105 Micro-Economic Theory
An intermediate level analysis of the motivation and behavior of producers and consumers under alternative market structures. Particular emphasis is placed on price determination and resource allocation, as well as the application of theory to real world issues. Prerequisite: Mathematics 3 or equivalent.
106 Macro-Economic Theory
An intermediate level analysis of the aggregate interrelationship between consumer, business, government, and the foreign sector in the determination of national income, employment, price level, and economic growth rate. Particular emphasis is placed on policy alternatives available to mitigate unsatisfactory performance of these variables. Prerequisite: Mathematics 3 or equivalent.
111 Economic History of the United States
Historical view of the development of the United States economy with particular emphasis on economic growth, income distribution, structural and institutional change in the 19th and 20th centuries. Course themes include the evolution of market structures, business organization, trade, and technology; the history of American living standards, income distribution, and poverty; immigration, race and gender roles; business cycle history; the changing role of government and the rise of the welfare state, American style. Students are provided an historical perspective on the origins of current economic issues.
120 Research Seminar
This seminar is designed to develop the student’s ability to do economics research. Methods of economics research are examined and each student conducts a research project, from the initiation of the concept to be examined through hypothesis testing and evaluation of test data, under the guidance of the instructor.
130 Money, Credit, and Banking
A description and analysis of the role of money and credit in a modern economy. Special emphasis is placed on the banking system in the United States and the role of the Federal Reserve System and the impact of its actions on financial markets, interest rates, the price level, and the general level of economic activity. Prerequisite: Economics 106.
135 Public Finance
An analysis of the taxing and spending activities of government using theoretical, empirical, and institutional material. Topics include optimal provision of collective goods, cost-benefit analysis, tax incidence, policies aimed at efficient level of externalities such as pollution, income redistribution, models of democratic and bureaucratic decision making, and the design of government procurement contracts.
136 Investments
Description and analysis of the securities markets (bond, stock, etc.) from the viewpoint of the private investor. The student is introduced to asset valuation theories as well as the basis of portfolio selection. Particular emphasis is placed on the tradeoff between risk and return, both for the individual assets and in a portfolio context. Prerequisite: BusAd 40 or equivalent.
141-142 Methods of Quantitative Analysis
The first part of this 2 -semester sequence explores the ways in which economists use mathematical techniques—especially linear (matrix) algebra and differential calculus— to represent and “solve” a wide range of theories, problems and hypotheses. Applications include the firm’s profit maximization and the consumer’s optimization of utility. Prerequisite: Math 27-28 and Economics 105.
The second part of the sequence is about how economists use statistical data to estimate and predict relationships between different economic variables. The goal is to have students become educated “consumers” and “producers” of econometric analysis; the former by studying how other economists make use of econometric methods in their work, and the latter by doing estimations (“running regressions”) themselves, using statistical software packages. Students will conduct an in-depth econometric research project on the topic of their choice. Prerequisites: BusAd 40 or equivalent and Economics 141.
150 Environmental and Natural Resources Economics
All economic activity involves an exchange with the natural environment. Natural resources are used in production and consumption and then returned to the environment in some form of waste. The class focuses on how a market economy actually handles these exchanges and develops criteria for judging the economy’s performance in this regard. Important questions include the following: Are we exhausting our natural resources? Will we run out of cheap energy? What is the appropriate balance between economic standard of living and environmental quality? Can we rely on market forces to achieve the appropriate balance or do we need government intervention?
152 Labor Economics
An extension and application of microeconomic theory to analysis of labor market processes that determine the allocation of human resources, as well as the level and structure of wages, employment and working conditions. The course devotes considerable attention to the public and private institutions (e.g., labor laws and unions) and sociological forces (e.g., prejudice and discrimination) that interact with demand and supply forces. Labor market models that take account of economic, sociological, and institutional forces are used to explain recent trends and patterns in the level and distribution of wages, employment, working conditions, and union membership. The models are also used to analyze the impact on labor markets of changes in trade, technology, immigration, family structures, and social norms; and to evaluate the efficiency and equity effects of government, business, and union policies.
160 Comparative Economics Systems
The production and distribution of goods and income, and the material welfare of people—the longtime concerns of economics —can be achieved in many different ways. This course examines capitalism, socialism, traditional village economies, and other ways to organize economic activity. Case studies from around the world will include less developed as well as developed countries, China, Russia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The course also examines the new globally-integrated economy, based significantly on the U.S. model, and how it impacts various regions of the world.
170 Industrial Organization
Industrial Organization is the study of firms, markets and strategic competition. The course will examine how firms interact with consumers and one another, primarily using the tools of game theory. Topics include competitive strategies, price discrimination, antitrust policy, mergers, and advertising. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to examine real-world mergers and other firm strategies with a critical eye and predict market outcomes and consumer impacts. Prerequisites: Economics 3, Economics 5 or consent of the instructor.
Economics 175: Multinational Enterprises
This course examines multinational enterprises (MNEs) and foreign direct investment (FDI) from a number of perspectives including motivations for international expansion, the economic impact of such expansion on home and host countries, and the political economy of MNEs. By the end of the course, students should understand why MNEs exist, under what conditions they can cause economic benefit or harm, and the complex interaction between MNEs and home and host country governments. Prerequisites: Economics 3, 4, and 105.
180 Sports Economics
Economic principles are used to analyze issues in the professional and amateur sports industries. Topics include league history and structure, labor issues, stadium financing, player salaries, competitive balance and the role of the NCAA. The economic perspective helps students better understand the industry and its economic, social and cultural significance. Prerequisite: Economics 3.
190 International Economics
An analysis of what determines the patterns of merchandise and services trade between countries, as well as an in-depth study of international financial markets. Special topics to be covered include: protectionism, economic reforms in Russia and China, the Third World debt crisis, U.S.-Japanese economic relations, and the future international trade environment.
192 Economic Development
A broad overview of the leading topics in development economics, with an emphasis on the application of economic theory to problems of economic development in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and the practical policy issues and debates. Topics include: the definition and measurement of economic development, macroeconomic theories of growth and structural change, poverty and inequality, population, human capital, agriculture and rural development, migration, environment, trade, debt, liberalization and structural adjustment, foreign investment and foreign aid.
195 Internship
Work-study program conducted in an appropriate internship position, under the supervision of a faculty member. Normally open to senior students only. Permission of instructor and department chairperson required.
197 Special Study
An independent study or research course for students whose needs are not met by the regular courses in the curriculum. Permission of instructor and department chairperson required.
strong>199 Honors-Special Study
Independent study and research in an area of interest to the student culminating in a written thesis presenting the issue, methods of analysis, and research findings. Normally open only to seniors with at least a B average in economics who have completed Economics 120 or Economics 141-142 with grade of B or better. (Seniors may be allowed to concurrently enroll in Economics 142 or 120 and 199). Permission of instructor and department chairperson required.
