Economics

An introductory economics course (cross-listed with History and Sociology) that prepares students with the concepts, tools, and methods of analysis that economists employ to address historical and contemporary  social issues and problems facing the U.S. Topics included are: economics of crime, poverty, discrimination, income inequality, pollution problems, inflation and unemployment, deficit and the national debt, Social Security, and globalization.

This survey of macro-economy includes analysis of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. This course emphasizes the theoretical foundations for the formation of fiscal, monetary, and international stabilization policy. 

This is a survey of economics of price determination (supply and demand), theory of firm and competitive market structures, consumer and business decision-making, and government regulation of economic activity of government.

The course builds a foundation of descriptive and inferential statistics and develops applications to managerial and economic decision-making. Topics include: descriptive statistics, probabilities, estimation, test of hypothesis with both parametric and non-parametric statistics, and regression analysis. Microcomputer statistical packages support the course content. Students who take this course cannot receive credit for MAT 220 or PSY 207.

The study of economics of wealth management in a risky environment. Topics include operations of the US securities markets (stocks, bonds, options, futures, and mutual funds); international investment markets; sources of information for individual investors; techniques for assessing risk; and strategies for balancing risk.

Investigation of the financial system of the United States. Topics covered include major financial institutions and instruments, the determinants of interest rates, analysis of commercial banking system, and structure of the Federal Reserve. An introduction to monetary theory and effectiveness of monetary policy on price levels and national income. Students will become familiar with day-to-day events that influence operation of financial systems in the United States.

This course engages students in the study of the political and economic history, culture, institutions, and policies of various national political economies. The course uses the comparative method, the cross-cultural approach, and the concept of political culture to probe the subject matter in both western and nonwestern countries. An important theme of the course is democratization from ancient times to the present. Countries studied include the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, India, and Nigeria.  Prerequisite: ENG 101, WLD 101 OR HUM 112

A survey of economic development theories and obstacles to economic development. Includes an analysis of selected issues and problems in the development process, international debt, population growth, unemployment, urbanization, foreign direct investment, and financial liberalization.

A study of economic aspects of transition from centrally planned economy to a capitalist mixed economy. Topics include: problems of transition; different approaches to economic transition; sequence of reform; consequences of the economic transformation for the global economy. Relevant experience and sequence of transition of several countries will be examined.  (Cross-listed with HST 218)

Topics include: economic integration, industrial vs. third world economic relations, free trade, the relationship between monetary and fiscal policy, and the world economy.