INTRODUCTORY MACROECONOMICS: THE U.S. IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY I
3 credits
Frameworks
After introducing students to the what and how of economic thinking, the course explores the causes of national economic prosperity and economic problems such as unemployment and inflation. It also discusses the role of fiscal and monetary policies, economic growth, and international economic relations among the U.S. and other countries.
INTRODUCTORY MICROECONOMICS: BUSINESS FIRM AND MARKET ANALYSIS I
3 credits
This course explores many issues pertaining to the operation of businesses and the markets in which they operate. Among these are the behavior of consumers, the determinants of prices and production levels, and the efficiency of market outcomes. As time allows, the course applies economic thinking to issues like: economic inequality, environmental concerns, international trade, and firms with monopoly power. Prerequisite: ECN 150.
ECONOMETRICS
4 credits
This course introduces the student to advanced statistical techniques used by economists, other social scientists, and people in business and law to test theories, predict future events, and provide empirical support for various types of hypotheses. The course emphasizes the applied nature of econometrics. As such, the student will construct, estimate, and evaluate well-specified regression models through computer application-based exercises using SAS statistical software. Prerequisites: ECN 213, BUS 202, or permission of the Department Chair.
INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS: BUSINESS FIRM AND MARKET ANALYSIS II
4 credits
This course studies how business firms interact with consumers and one another in product and resource markets. Besides distilling profit-maximizing criteria for different firms in different markets, the course also evaluates how the operation of firms impacts the welfare of society in general. Prerequisites: ECN 201; MTH 114 or 120 or equivalent.
INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS: THE U.S. IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY II
4 credits
This course analyzes the factors behind countries’ long-term growth and also those responsible for short-term fluctuations in their levels of output and prices. It also demonstrates how economic booms and busts have prompted economists to search for explanations and possible policies for addressing these instabilities. Finally, the course compares and contrasts U.S. historical experience with that of other nations. Prerequisites: ECN 150; MTH 114 or 120 or equivalent.
SPECIAL TOPICS IN ECONOMICS
3 credits
Topics include: Labor Markets, Employment and Wages; Women in the Economy; European Union; Economics of Sports; Economics of Entertainment; Law and Economics. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
ECONOMICS INTERNSHIP
3 credits
Working approximately 10 to 15 hours per week under professional supervision, students learn experientially the linkages between their formal studies and the demands of particular positions. Under faculty supervision, students complete informal and formal written assignments and an oral presentation that describe their duties and interpret their intern experience. Prerequisites: ECN 201, at least sophomore standing, and permission of Department Chair.
THIRD WORLD POVERTY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
3 credits
This course describes and documents the poverty besetting the majority of humankind and analyzes its causes, utilizing economic concepts and theories in conjunction with social, political, cultural, religious, and philosophical factors. Prospects for the future and policies aiming to promote development are also examined. Prerequisite: ECN 150.
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
3 credits
An introduction to the theory of international trade. Topics include specialization and the gains from trade, tariffs, and protectionist policies, trade imbalances, the role of international institutions, foreign exchange markets, and monetary and fiscal policies in an open economy. Prerequisites: ECN 150 and 201
ECONOMICS OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
3 credits
This course examines trade theory and applies the theory to business firms. It introduces the cultural, environmental, and ethical issues facing international businesses and examines the impact of trade policies, foreign exchange, and the balance of payments on businesses’ decision making. Prerequisites: ECN 150, 201; MTH 114 or 120; junior standing.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF LATIN AMERICA
3 credits
This course begins by examining aspects of the indigenous societies prior to the arrival of Europeans in what has come to be called “Latin America.” Throughout, it considers issues such as colonialism, militarism, race, gender relations, and religion that have shaped the societies, polities, and economies of nations from Mexico and the Caribbean to those of the Southern Cone. The goal of the course is to afford class members the opportunity to better understand Latin America’s history as a basis for comprehending its likely future. Cross-listed with HIS334 and POL 334.
AMERICAN ECONOMIC HISTORY
3 credits
Describes and analyzes long-term economic growth and development since colonization. Stresses changes in demographic, technological, and institutional factors as they interact with the market system. Applies basic economic concepts and theories of growth to significant historical questions. Prerequisite: ECN 150.
ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
3 credits
Provides an introduction to the trade-offs (costs versus benefits) associated with environmental issues. Evaluating trade-offs requires an examination of the magnitude or current environmental problems and some consideration of how to measure the costs and benefits of regulatory changes. Approximately half the course will be devoted to examining the current regulations, how the regulatory process works, and the economic implications of the regulations. Prerequisite: ECN 150 or permission.
ECN 354 (SPRING 09, 11, 13)
ECONOMICS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
3 credits
Elective
The course surveys the economics of the entertainment industry with an emphasis on the importance of market structure (perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, monopoly) in determining behaviors and profitability. In this course, we will apply many microeconomic, and a few macroeconomic, concepts to evaluate structure, workings, and profitability of various segments in the entertainment industry, ranging from movies to music, TV, radio, publishing, casinos, and theme parks. Case studies will be used to highlight the issues facing particular firms.
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
3 credits
Full-time paid employment in a cooperating firm such as a bank, economics forecasting company, or public utility; a nonprofit company such as a Community Development Corporation; or a government agency such as a county planning department or a statistical analysis office. Under faculty supervision, students also complete job-related learning assignments that involve oral and written presentations. Prerequisites: ECN 214, 221, junior or senior standing, and permission of Department Chair.
HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT
3 credits
The course details the development of economics as a coherent analytical discipline through a historical study of its main schools and contributors, including the Physiocrats; the Classical Economists (especially Jevons, Walras, and Clark); Marshall; and Keynes. Lesser figures are treated as time allows. Attention throughout is given to the changing philosophical and cultural background of economic thought. Prerequisites: ECN 150, 201.
PUBLIC FINANCE
3 credits
An analysis of the revenue and expenditure activity of government with particular emphasis on the rationale of federal government activity. Also considered are the issues of distribution, efficiency, equity, and stability in the economy. Prerequisites: ECN 150, 201.
SEMINAR IN ECONOMICS
3 credits
This course is intended to be a capstone course for economics majors, one that aids the student in integrating the material from diverse economics courses. Stressed are techniques for the preparation of written research reports. Students will ordinarily deliver to the seminar an oral presentation of their research results. Prerequisite: senior standingin ECN 213, ECN 221 or ECN 222.
SEMINAR IN ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
3 credits
This capstone course for Economics and International Studies majors aims to assist students to research, integrate, and communicate information about the global economy. Specifically, students will learn to conduct research on economic problems and policies of countries and regions of the world not native to them. Students will compose a 250 to 300 word abstract of their seminar papers in two languages, English and a second language. Further, students will be expected to demonstrate at least one of the following competencies: a) to write, in a non-native language, summaries of research in sources written in non-native language; b) to write the seminar paper in a non-native language; or c) to present research results orally in a non-native language. Prerequisite: senior standing in ECN 213, ECN 221 or ECN 222.
ECN/HIS/POL 332 (S, Odd Years)
POLITICAL ECONOMY OF AFRICA
3 credits
This course examines the political and economic conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa and provides a historical perspective on these conditions. Issues examined include the political and economic consequences of colonialism, post-independence political forces and economic policies, and U.S. foreign policy toward Africa. Prerequisite: ECN 150.
STATISTICS FOR ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
3 credits
Basic statistical methods used in the analysis of economic and political phenomena and decision-making. Emphasis is on the application of statistical techniques and the sound interpretation of statistical results. Topics include: descriptive statistics, probability, sampling and sampling distributions, statistical estimation, hypothesis testing, simple regression, and correlation.
