Introduction to economics as a social science for nonmajors or students interested in taking ECON 101 or 102 who would like a preparatory course. Introduction to fundamental economic concepts, economic policy and global markets. Class activities and simulations complement an emphasis on current events. No credit towards an economics major or minor or BSE social studies major. Offered periodically.

Introduction to macroeconomic analysis concentrating on national income, price levels, employment, monetary policy and fiscal policy with introductory analysis of the global economy. To be successful, it is recommended that students be proficient in algebra (the equivalent of successfully completing MATH 101 or MPT equivalent); however MATH 101 is not a pre-requisite. Offered in fall, spring.

Hnrs:Prin of Macroeconomics

Introduction to microeconomic analysis concentrating on consumer and producer behavior, competitive and other markets, public policy and government regulation. To be successful, it is recommended that students be proficient in algebra (the equivalent of successfully completing MATH 101 or MPT equivalent); however MATH 101 is not a pre-requisite. Offered in fall, spring.

Hnrs:Prin of Microeconomics

Experimental

An introductory course analyzing and comparing global economies, trade and economic development. This course does not count toward the major, but qualifies for BSE social studies major and for the minor. MATH 101 or MPT equivalent is highly recommended prior to taking this course. Offered in fall, spring. Prereq: ECON 100, 101 or 102.

Survey of monetary and banking institutions, policies and practices, including study of monetary theory. Offered in fall, occasionally in spring. Prereq: ECON 101.

Analysis of economic systems in France, the former Yugoslavia, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, the former Soviet Union and the United States. Emphasis varies with each offering at the discretion of the instructor. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 101, ENGL 110.

Analysis of regional economies such as Africa, Asia or Latin America. The area of study will be specified by the instructor expected to teach the course. Offered periodically. Prereq: ECON 101 or 102.

Presentations of data, measures of central tendency and variation, and index numbers. Introduction to probability theory, sampling and inference and regression and time series analysis. Offered in fall, spring.

Static analysis in economics, consumer and firm equilibrium, marginal analysis, optimization problems. Preliminary use of algebra and calculus for business and economic applications. Offered infrequently. Prereq: ECON 101, 102; MATH 101 or equivalent.

Analysis of consumer theory, firm theory and market failure within the context of health economics. Emphasis on the institutions involved in health care provision, labor markets for health care professionals and market structure and government regulation. Offered in fall. Prereq: ECON 102.

Co-Op Ed Experience in Econ

This course utilizes film as a bridge between real economic life and scholarly treatment of the relevant issues. The course emphasizes critical thinking and synthesis of economic ideas. Students must also engage in questioning the obvious, exploring meaning, and writing about issues from films incisively and analytically following the scientific method. While maintaining rigor in their writing, students must state clearly their hypothesis and empirical methodology. Data collection includes prilnary data, surveys, personal interviews, and focus groups (culturally diverse groups related to the underlying socioeconomic issue). Prereq: ECON 100 or 101 or 102; COMM 100; ENGL 110 and junior status.

Microeconomic theory applied to the problems of pollution control, sustainability, and valuation of environmental goods and services. Topics include economic efficiency, externalities, public goods, benefit-cost analysis and environmental policy. Content includes economic theory, critical analysis, and problem solving applied to applications of economic efficiency, welfare analysis, and optimal pollution abatement policy. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 102, ENGL 110, and Math 101 or MATH placement beyond MATH 101 (MATH 151, 155H, 160, 161, 163H)

Economic concepts and models are used to explain laws and legal situations. Economics is applied in some of the principal areas of the law: property, contracts, torts and crime. Offered infrequently. Prereq: ENGL 110, COMM 100, junior status, ECON 102, BUAD 202, or permission of instructor.

Economic aspects of governmental budgeting emphasizing fiscal policy including impact of taxation and expenditures. Topics include the allocation, distribution and stabilization effects of the public household. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 101, 102.

Similar in scope to ECON 102 with major emphasis on the further development and refinement of tools of economic analysis. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 101, 102 and MATH 151 or 161.

Similar in scope to 101, with major emphasis on the determination of the economy's total output, the price level and the level of employment. The course incorporates the interaction of the market for goods and services, the assets market and the labor market. Offered in fall. Prereq: ECON 101.

This course presents how economic theory is used to explain decisions of economic agents (e.g., consumers, firms or the government) in markets and strategic environments where the outcomes depend on the interaction of the decisions of the agents. Tests of economic theory predictions in the form of laboratory experiments will also be discussed and implemented. The areas of study include market behavior under various institutional settings, allocation decisions in settings with externalities, and individual choice and uncertainty. Offered annually. Prereq: ECON 102 or 102H, and ENGL 110.

Theory of international trade, commercial policy and trade in relation to economic development, balance of payments and the foreign exchange market, international monetary developments, foreign aid and economic growth. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 101, 102.

Introduction to economic characteristics and problems of less developed countries and to associated theories and policies. Offered annually. Prereq: ECON 101, 102; ENGL 110.

Theoretical and case-based examination of women in the political economy of “less developed” economies. Issues covered include women’s experiences with economic development; effects of economic development on women’s status, roles, workloads and resource access; effective methods of empowerment for women experiencing contemporary economic development; and targeting gender in development, particularly through grassroots efforts. Offered annually. Prereq: ECON 101 or 102, COMM 100, ENGL 110, junior status.

The estimation and hypothesis-testing of economic models, principally using regression techniques. Topics include linear models, time series analysis and simultaneous equations models. The uses and limitations of these models for economic forecasting are examined with the aid of computers. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 101, 102 and either 231 or 332.

Emphasis is on authentic learning of the forecasting and analytics methods that practitioners have found most useful. Prereq: ECON 231 or MATH 235, and ECON 101.

The labor market and labor forces, theories of wages and employment, security, determinants of trade union policy and governmental manpower policies. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 101, 102.

This course applies consumer theory, firm theory, and market failure to the economics of social issues via the broad, and often controversial, topics of sex, drugs, and religion. Emphasis is placed on the current economic, political, and legal aspects of these issues and therefore specific topics may change depending on current events. Students will explore these topics and lessons via research articles published in academic journals and by research published by the top economic research organizations. Prerequisites: ECON 102 and MATH 101 or math placement beyond 101, MATH 130 or equivalent.

Examination of a variety of theoretical and philosophical perspectives in economics developed during the past few hundred years. The ideas of well-known economists such as Adam Smith and Karl Marx are typically analyzed, as is the thought of a selection of lesser known contributors to the discipline. Offered once every two years. Prereq: ECON 101, 102.

The study of (1) how enterprises function within a variety of market structures and (2) how well the outcomes fit the public interest. Specific topics include market share, barriers, concentration, vertical power, economies of scale, pricing behavior, mergers and efficiency. Offered in spring. Prereq: ECON 101 and 102.

Experimental

Co-Op Ed Experience in Econ

Experimental

Students participate in the process of knowledge creation by generating a research question in economics and undertaking in-depth analysis of that question. The course is structured to support student development and application of critical analytical skills through theoretical and/or empirical methods, research and information management skills, and writing and presentation skills. The course emphasizes the process of research and writing, culminating in three final products: the paper, the poster and the presentation. Majors only. Offered annually. Prereq: ENGL 110, minimum 12 hours of economics or permission of instructor.

Honors Courses/Thesis

For further information on independent study, see the Special Academic Opportunities section.

Honors Courses/Thesis

Co-Op Ed Experience in Econ