ECONOMICS

Professor Fleming;Associate Professors Hernandez, Kassens, Nik-Khah

The major in Economics requires eleven (11) units in eco- nomics as follows: Economics 121, 122, 232, 321, 322, 448, 461, and any four economics courses at the 200 level or higher (excluding Economics 416 – Internship). Mathematics 111 or 112 or 121 is a prerequisite for Economics 321 and 322, and INQ 240 is a prerequisite for Economics 448.

Admission to the BA program in Economics requires the approval of the department chairperson.An application should be submitted as soon as a student becomes interested in the major and shows evidence of possessing the quantitative and analytical skills required to satisfactorily complete this major. Economics 120 cannot be used for the Economics or Business Administration majors. Economics 120 can serve as a prerequisite for Economics 227, 237, 257, and for Business Administration 233, for non-majors only.

Minor in Economics

The minor in Economics requires seven (7) units in economics as follows: Economics 121, 122, 321, 322, 461 and any two (2) economics courses at the 200 level or higher. Mathematics 111 or 112 or 121 is a prerequisites for Economics 321 and 322, and INQ 240 is a prerequisite for Economics 448.

120 Introduction to Economics
A course introducing the student to contemporary economic discourse, with an emphasis on the pricing mechanism, competitive and monopolistic markets, poverty and inequality, national income, and unemployment. (Not open to anyone majoring in Business Administration or Economics, or anyone currently enrolled in or having completed Economics 121 and 122.)(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

121 Principles, Micro
An introduction to contemporary economic discourse, with an emphasis on the pricing mechanism, production, competitive and imperfectly competitive markets, game theory, poverty and inequality, public economics, and global trade. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

122 Principles, Macro
An introduction to contemporary economic discourse, with an emphasis on aggregate concepts and problems such as unemployment, inflation, growth and international trade and the role of government in dealing with these problems. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

227 Health Economics
An examination of the production of health and the role of medical services, the determinants of the demand for medical care and the impact of health insurance, the determinants of the supply of medical services, the role of government in promoting health and the financing and delivery of health care, and the impact of behavioral factors on health. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ECON120 or 121.

232 Money and Banking
Money, credit, and the banking system with special emphasis on the role of money as a determinant of economic activity. Attention is also given to international monetary markets. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ECON 121 and 122.

237 Comparative Economic Systems
The ideological, theoretical, and institutional basis for planned and market economies with examples drawn from various countries. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ECON 120 or 121.

242 Economics of the Public Sector and its Finance
An analysis of the relationship between the state and the mar- ket, with an emphasis on the role of the state in reducing poverty and inequality, promoting health, safeguarding the environment, addressing corporate power, and financing these activities through effective taxation. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ECON 121 and 122.

247 International Trade and Finance
An analysis of the benefits and costs of trade, the impact of trade barriers and controls, the effects of globalization, and the role of money and capital markets in international commerce. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites ECON 121 and 122.

252 The Fed Challenge
This course is an academic competition designed to expand the under- standing of the Federal Reserve System’s unique role in the economy and the importance of Federal Open Market Committee decisions. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ECON 121 and 122, and permission of the instructor.

257 Competition, Monopoly, and Public Policy
An examination of the role of the state in addressing corporate power. Topics emphasized include collusion, mergers, technology an intellectual property, and the uses of antitrust law and regulation. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite ECON 120 or 121.

261 Topics in Economics
Selected topics involving problems and controversies of a social and political nature. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

267 Labor Economics
Analysis of the short-and long-run aspects of the supply and demand for labor, with attention paid to labor market issues including wage inequality, human capital formation, and unemployment. (1)
Lecture: 3hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ECON 120 or 121.

287 Ecological Development Economics
The ecological, institutional, and technological basis for the human economic system as a subsystem of the larger ecological and social systems, with examples drawn from various regions of the world. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

321 Intermediate Theory: Microeconomics
In-depth coverage of contemporary economic discourse, with an emphasis on the pricing mechanism, competitive and imperfectly competitive markets, game theory, the distribution of income, and public economics. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites ECON 121; MATH 111 or 112 or 121.

322 Intermediate Theory: Macroeconomics
An examination of the measurement, analysis, and control of aggregate economic activity, with particular attention to the roles played by government in achieving full employment and price stability. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ECON 122, 232 or permission; and MATH111 or 112 or 121.

395, 396 Henry H. Fowler Public Policy Seminar
A seminar taught with a scholar-statesperson that deals with a policy issue of public significance. (Made possible by the Henry H. Fowler Endowment. Open to selected students with department permission.) (1, 1/2)

405, 406, 407 Independent Study
A program of intensive study in economics carried out under the direction of a member of the departmental staff. (Open to majors with the permission of the department.) (1/2, 1, 1/2)

416 Internship
Work experience in private or public sector, utilizing analytical tools, and including a student project. (Admission by permission of department. May not be counted toward major credit.) (1)

448 Introduction to Econometrics
An introduction to the statistical methods used in empirical economic research. The objective of the course is to provide both a working knowledge of econometric theory and an applied experience through estimating empirical models using econometric software. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ECON 321 or 322, and INQ 240; or permission of the instructor.

461 Economics Seminar
An in-depth investigation of topical issues in economics at the advanced theory level. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Senior standing in Economics or permission.

495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance. Prerequisite:To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee.A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department.A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)