ECONOMICS
The following required and elective courses are regularly offered:
101. PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS An introductory study of the fundamental principles of the operation of the market system, the determination of national income, and the role of money in the economy. The Department strongly recommends that students display a mathematics proficiency at the level of Mathematics 200 or above before enrolling in Economics 101.
110. QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS An introduction to analytical decision-making and its role in business and economic policy. The course includes a discussion of the limitations of quantitative methods as well as illustrating various techniques with computer applications. Prerequisite: Economics 101
201. INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMIC THEORY An analysis of the theory of national income determination, employment, and inflation, including a study of the determinants of aggregate demand and aggregate supply. Prerequisite: Economics 101. Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
202. INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMIC THEORY The theory of the firm and the industry; the analysis of price determination under market conditions ranging from pure competition to monopoly; resource allocation. Prerequisite: Economics 101. Pre- or co-requisite: Mathematics 104. Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
205. HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT An analysis of the development of economic thought and method, with emphasis on the philosophical bases and historical context for alternative schools of thought. The course will examine the important characteristics of alternative schools of thought (e.g., Marxism, neoclassical, institutional), and will consider the implications of these alternative schools for economic research and policy. Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)
210. APPLIED REGRESSION Application of multiple regression analysis to economics. Particular attention is paid to identifying and correcting the violations of the basic model. Consideration of special topics including time series analysis, linear dependent variables, and simultaneous models. Prerequisite: Economics 110
215. MONETARY ECONOMICS The role of money and the nature of the Federal Reserve's management of the monetary system is examined in the context of the U.S. financial system and economy. Topics include the term structure of interest rates, economic effects of banking regulations, formulation and execution of monetary policy, and transmission channels through which monetary policy affects employment and inflation. Prerequisite: Economcis 201 (Offered alternate years.)
216. PUBLIC FINANCE An investigation of the economics of the public sector to determine an optimum level and structure of the revenues and expenditures of government; includes the relation between government and the private sector, the theory of public goods and collective decision-making, cost-benefit analysis, the structure and economic effects of various taxes, and intergovernmental relations among federal, state, and local governments. Prerequisite: Economics 202
224. INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS A discussion of the mathematical and theoretical foundations of the classical linear regression model and extensions of that model. Prerequisite: Economics 210. (Offered alternate years.)
232. LABOR ECONOMICS An application of economic theory to the labor market, with particular emphasis on the U.S. labor market. Topics include: labor demand; labor supply; human capital theory; theories of labor market discrimination; unions; and inequality in earnings. Prerequisite: Economics 101.
240. ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS An examination of the economic use of natural resources in society: the economic implications of finite resource supplies, renewable respource supplies, and the use of environmental resources with consideration of policy options regarding optimal resource use. Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)
245. ECONOMICS OF GENDER (see Womens' Studies) An investigation of the relationships between economic institutions (e.g., labor force, family, and government) and the role of women in our society, and the implications of the changing role of women for institutional change. Focus on the way traditional tools of economic analysis have been used to address issues that affect women's economic status, and on feminist critiques of these methods. Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)
246. ECONOMICS OF RACE (see Black Studies) This course investigates the role of race in economic decision-making. Theoretical and empirical aspects of labor markets, housing markets, and income inequality will be considered. Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)
247. INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION An application of microeconomic theory to firms and industries. Topics include market structure, pricing practices, advertising, antitrust, and public policy. Prerequisite: Economics 202. (Offered alternate years.)
251. INTERNATIONAL TRADE An examination of the basis for international trade. Evaluation of the distributional effects of trade and alternative trade policies. Analysis of free trade areas and economic integration including the European Union and NAFTA. Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)
252. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE An analysis of the international financial system and policy issues related to world economic interdependence. Topics include exchange rate determination, balance of payments adjustments, monetary and fiscal policies in the open economy. European Monetary Union and issues of development and transition are also included. Prerequisite: Economics 201. (Offered alternate years.)
254. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (see Cultural Area Studies) An analysis of the conditions and patterns of economic growth in developing economies; study of growth models; problems of external assistance and internal capital formation. Prerequisite: Economics 101.
261. URBAN ECONOMICS (see Urban Studies) An analysis of economic activity in the spatial context of urban areas from the perspective of inefficient resource allocation resulting from externalities; theories of industrial location, land use, housing markets; application of models to urban problems of growth, land use, slums, ghettos, transportation, pollution, and local government, etc. with consideration of alternative policy options. Prerequisite: Economics 101.
263. LAW AND ECONOMICS An examination of law and legal institutions from the perspective of economics. Economics is used to explain aspects of common and statute law and legal cases illustrate economic concepts. Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)
268. HEALTH ECONOMICS An application of economic theory to the market for medical care and health insurance. Other topics include the role of the government in these markets, health care reform, and international comparison of health care systems. Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)
390. SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY ECONOMICS A seminar designed for the advanced major. Topics vary to reflect current business and economics problems. Prerequisites: Economics 101, 110, and permision of instructor.
Updated 2 May 1998 by Jws