Academic Catalog

Economics (ECON)

ECON 141 Macroeconomics3 cr

Examines the organization of American economic systems, with comparisons to those of other countries. Emphasis is on the problems of unemployment, inflation, budget deficits and the possible fiscal and monetary policies used to correct them. The course studies such aggregate economic variables as consumption, investment, government expenditures, and taxes.

Attributes: Core Self & Society (CSS)  
ECON 142 Microeconomics3 cr

Deals with individual economic units, consumers and firms. Topic areas which are covered extensively are demand, elasticity and cost theories. The theory of wages and its application to labor markets are also discussed. An analytical study of market structure - perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly and monopoly - is emphasized.

ECON 290 Sophomore Special Topics3 cr

Introduces students to various topics of emerging importance in economics. Examines one or more current issues in depth.

Prerequisite: Sophomore status  
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
ECON 310 International Economics3 cr

Introduces students to the basics of international trade and finance and the effects of various international economic policies on domestic and world welfare. The course will discuss, among other things, sources of comparative advantage, gains and losses from trade, and the impact of trade on economic growth. In addition, the course will expose students to topics on trade policy interventions such as tariffs, quotas and voluntary export restraints.

Prerequisite: ECON 141, ECON 316  
ECON 315 Environmental Economics3 cr

Introduces students to the economic analysis of the conflict between our lifestyle of unlimited wants and the scarce resources of our biological environment. Examines economic theory and applications to explain the dynamics of conflict. Uses an economic approach to solving environmental problems; students will research, analyze and report on environmental public policy issues.

Prerequisite: ENVI 150 or ENVI 150H or ENVI 152H or ECON 141 or ECON 142 and junior status  
ECON 316 Statistics for Business and Economics3 cr

Continues the statistical methodology developed in Introduction to Statistics (MATH 232). Topics include interval estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, simple linear and multiple regression, nonparametric testing, and design of experiments with specific application to problems in business and economics. Students' development of analytical skills enhanced by use of statistical software.

Prerequisite: BADM 110, MATH 232  
ECON 340 Money, Banking and Global Financial Markets3 cr

Investigates the financial systems of the U.S. European Union, and emerging economies. Emphasizes how economic institutions reflect the diversity of world cultures, including major financial institutions, monetary theory, interest rates and the structure and role of the Federal Reserve. Issues include economic, social, political and cultural integration of industrialized vs. Third World countries.

Prerequisite: ECON 141  
ECON 343 Managerial Economics3 cr

Studies the application of economic theory to decision-making problems in the private and public sectors, including both explicit and implicit constraints imposed by the environment on the decision-maker. Systematic development of the theory of the interaction of consumers, firms and industries; a study of market structure, conduct and performance; and capital budgeting.

Prerequisite: ECON 142  
ECON 350 Global Business and Economic Issues3 cr

Examines globalization, economic, political, social, and ecological factors that shape the international market. Specific topics include financial market integration, case studies of individual countries, environmental issues, labor migration, integration across borders of the markets in goods and the factors of production and the consequences of these trends. Emphasis will be placed on the role of government policies in affecting economic outcomes and business conditions.

Prerequisite: ECON 141 and ECON 142  
ECON 377 Economics of Culture and Tourism3 cr

Considers the economic aspects of cultural and other events and activities on local communities and geographic regions, especially as they impact tourism and quality of life. Looks at how cultural goods are valued in both economic and cultural terms. Examines the role of culture and tourism in regional economic development. Analyzes current public policy toward cultural venues at federal, state and local levels in the United States and abroad.

Prerequisite: Junior status, completion of Tier II Self & Society  
ECON 416 Business Analytics3 cr

Covers fundamental concepts of modern business analytics by emphasizing application of managerial statistical tools related to descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics. Topics covered include data visualization, data mining, spreadsheet Modeling, statistical inference, time series analysis, forecasting, risk analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, linear optimization, among others.

Prerequisite: ECON 316  
ECON 490 Special Topics in Economics3 cr

Studies a specific topic in economics for the purpose of encouraging advanced work and research in a field of interest. Content will be identified by subtitle.

Prerequisite: Junior status, completion of Tier II Self & Society  
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
ECON 500 Independent Study in Economics1-3 cr

Open to juniors and seniors who wish to study a topic in depth. Final reports and frequent conferences with advisor are required. Enrollment requires individual application and department approval.

Prerequisite: Junior status  
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits