Course Descriptions |
| [For descriptions of the Mathematics courses required for the Mathematical Economics major click here.]
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| 150. Introduction to Economics. (3h) |
| A survey of micro and macroeconomic principles. Introduction to basic concepts, characteristic data and trends, and some analytic techniques. Preference in enrollment will be given to students with sophomore or upper class standing.
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| 201. Applied Econometrics. (3h) |
| An introduction to regression analysis methods used to estimate and test relationships among economic variables. Selected applications from microeconomics and macroeconomics are studied. Emphasis is on examining economic data, identifying when particular methods are appropriate, and interpreting statistical results. P–Economics 150 and MTH 109 or 256.
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| 205. Intermediate Microeconomics I. (3h) |
| Development of demand and supply analysis, neoclassical theory of household and firm behavior, and alternative market structures. P–Economics 150 and MTH 111 or 112.
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| 206. Intermediate Microeconomics II. (3h) |
| More advanced theory of maximizing behavior of economic agents with discussion of risk, uncertainty, and economic dynamics. Theory employed in assessment of policy issues. P–Economics 205.
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| 207. Intermediate Macroeconomics (3h) |
| Development of macroeconomic concepts of national income, circular flow, income determination, IS-LM analysis, and Phillips curves. Emphasizes contributions of Keynes and the Keynesian tradition, including some attention to primary literature. P–Economics 150 and MTH 111 or 112.
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| 210. Microeconomic Models. (1.5h) |
| Development of formal models of consumer behavior, choice under risk, the firm, and demand and supply. Static and dynamic properties of the models are explored. P–Economics 205 and C–MTH 113 and 121.
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| 211. Macroeconomic Models. (1.5h) |
| Development of formal Keynesian, post-Keynesian, monetarist, and new classical macro models. Static and dynamic properties of the models are explored. P–Economics 207 and C–Mathematics 113 and 121.
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| 215. Econometric Theory & Methods. (3h) |
| Economic analysis through quantitative methods, with emphasis on model construction and empirical research. P–Economics 150 and Mathematics 109 or 256, MTH 113 and MTH 121.
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| 216. Game Theory. (3h) |
| Introduction to mathematical models of social and strategic interactions. P—Economics 205 and Mathematics 109 or 113.
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| 218. Seminar in Mathematical Economics. (3h) |
| Calculus and matrix methods used to develop basic tools of economic analysis. P–Economics 205, 207 and Mathematics 111, 112.
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| 219. Behavioral Economics. (3h) |
| Explores advanced topics in microeconomics, including learning and adaptation, coordination, neuroeconomics, prospect theory, and quasi-rational economics. Theory, experimental evidence, and applications to industrial organization, law and economics, finance, health and labor economics are analyzed. P-ECN 201 and 205.
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| 221. Public Finance. (3h) |
| Examines the economic behavior of government. Includes principles of taxation, spending, borrowing, and debt management. P—ECN 201 and 205.
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| 222. Monetary Theory and Policy. (3h) |
| An investigation of the nature of money, the macroeconomic significance of money, financial markets, and monetary policy. P–Economics 207.
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| 223. Financial Markets. (3h) |
| A study of the functions, structure, and performance of financial markets. P–Economics 205, 207.
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| 224. Law and Economics. (3h) |
| An economic analysis of property, contracts, torts, criminal behavior, due process, and law enforcement. P–Economics 205.
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| 225. Public Choice. (3h) |
| Traditional tools of economic analysis are employed to explore such topics in political science as political organization, elections, coalition formation, the optimal provision of public goods, and the scope of government. P—ECN 201 and 205.
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| 226. Theory of Social Choice (3h) |
| Development of Constitutional Economics in establishing rules for governmental and group decision-making by democratic means. Implications for various voting rules are considered in terms of both positive and normative criteria. P–Economics 150
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| 231. Economics of Industry. (3h) |
| Analysis of the link between market structure and market performance in U.S. industries from theoretical and empirical viewpoints. Examines the efficiency of different firm practices including mergers and cartels. Case studies include automobiles, steel, agriculture, computers, sports, and telecommunications. P–Economics 205.
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| 232. Antitrust Economics. (1.5h,3h) |
| Analysis of the logic and effectiveness of public policies designed to promote competition in the United States. P–Economics 150 and Economics 205.
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| 235. Labor Economics. (3h) |
| A theoretical and empirical survey of labor markets. Topics include: the demand and supply of labor, compensating wage differentials, education and training, discrimination, unions, public sector employment, earnings inequality, and unemployment. P–Economics 201 and 205.
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| 236. Economics of Higher Education (3h) |
| Applies economic theory and data analysis in an investigation of important current issues in higher education. Issues of prestige, admissions, financial aid, access, student and faculty quality, alumni giving and endowments, and externalities will be addressed. P-ECN 201 and 205.
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| 240. Economics of Health and Medicine (3h) |
| Applications of the methods of economic analysis to the study of the health care industry. P— or C— an applied statistics class such as (choose one): ANT 380, BIO 380, BEM 201, ECN 201, ECN 215, HES 262, MTH 256, MTH 358, or SOC 371, or POI
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| 241. Natural Resource Economics (3h) |
| Develops the economic theory of natural resource markets and explores public policy issues in natural resources and the environment. P—Economics 150.
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| 246. Urban Economics (3h) |
| Theoretical and empirical study of the city as an economic entity, with attention to land-use patterns and prices, urban decay and redevelopment, suburbanization, housing, and city finance. P–Economics 150.
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| 251. International Trade. (3h) |
| Development of the theory of international trade patterns and prices and the effects of trade restrictions such as tariffs and quotas. P–Economics 205.
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| 252. International Finance. (3h) |
| The study of the open macro economy, with a particular focus on the foreign exchange market and the history of the international monetary system. P–Economics 201, 205, 207.
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| 254. Current Issues in African Development. (3h) |
| Theoretical and practical study of the main economic, political and institutional dilemmas faced by African countries in the course of economic development. P—POI. (CD) Taught in Benin, West Africa, in summer.]
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| 258. Economic Growth and Development. (3h) |
| A study of the problems of economic growth, with particular attention to the less developed countries of the world. P–Economics 205 or POI.
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| 259. The World Bank: It’s Role and Impact in Development. (1.5h) |
| Examines the roles played by the World Bank and other multilateral finance institutions in the global economy, with a special focus on developing countries. Includes a study trip to World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC. P—POI
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| 261. American Economic Development. (3h) |
| The application of economic theory to historical problems and issues in the American economy. P–Economics 150.
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| 262. History of Economic Thought. (3h) |
| A historical survey of the main developments in economic thought from the Biblical period to the twentieth century. P–Economics 205, 207.
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| 265. Economic Philosophers. (1.5h,3h) |
| An in-depth study of the doctrines and influence of up to three major figures in economics, such as Smith, Marx, and Keynes. P–Economics 205, 207.
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| 266. Economics of Entrepreneurship. (3h) |
| An examination of the economic constraints and opportunities facing entrepreneurs and their impacts on the economy. Blends economic theory with an empirical investigation of the lives and actions of entrepreneurs in the past and the present. Prereq: Econ 150. Also listed as ESE 371.
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| 268. Morals and Markets. (3h) |
| Historical survey of individualistic ethical values that have accompanied the development of market economics in the West. Considers critiques of, and alternatives to, these values. P–Economics 150.
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| 270. Current Economic Issues. (1.5h,3h) |
| Examines current economic issues using economic theory and empirical evidence. Topics may include recent macroeconomic trends, the distribution of income, minimum wages, immigration, Social Security, war, global climate change, trade, regulation and deregulation, antitrust policy, health care, labor unions, tax reform, educational reform, and others. P–Economics 150. |
| 271. Selected Areas in Economics. (1h,1.5h,3h) |
| Survey of an important area in economics not included in the regular course offerings. The economics of housing, education, or technology are examples. Students should consult the instructor to ascertain topic before enrolling. P–ECN 150.
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| 272. Selected Areas in Economics. (1h,1.5h,3h) |
| Surveys an important area in economics not included in the regular course offerings. The economics of housing, education or technology are examples. Students should consult the instructor to ascertain topic before enrolling. P–ECN 205 and 207.
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| 273. Economics for a Multicultural Future. (3h) |
| Examines the challenges and promise of the increasingly diverse U.S. economy. P–Economics 150. (CD)
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| 274. Topics in Macroeconomics. (3h) |
| Considers significant issues and debates in macroeconomic theory and policy. Examples might include a New Classical-New Keynesian debate, the East Asian currency crisis of 1997-1998, conversion of federal deficit to surplus, competing models of economic growth, alternative monetary and fiscal policy targets. P-Economics 207.
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| 290. Individual Study. (1.5h,3h) |
| Directed readings in a specialized area of economics. P–Permission of instructor.
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| 297. Preparing for Economic Research. (1.5h) |
| Designed to assist students in selecting a research topic and beginning the study of the selected topic. P–Permission of instructor.
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| 298. Economic Research. (3h) |
| Development and presentation of a senior research project. Required of candidates for departmental honors. P–Economics 201 or 215 (and permission of department.) |