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Economics (ECN)

ECN 150  Introductory Macroeconomics: The U.S. in the Global Economy I  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Fall, Summer, Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face, Online  
ILO Met: Inst. Learning Objective 4  
ECN 170  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 201  Introductory Microeconomics: Business Firm and Market Analysis I  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Fall, Summer, Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150  
ECN 213  Statistics for Economics and Political Science  

This course focuses on 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.

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 221  Intermediate Microeconomics: Business Firm and Market Analysis II  

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.

Number of Credits: 4  
When Offered: Fall  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 201; MTH 114 or 120 or equivalent  
ECN 222  Intermediate Macroeconomics: The U.S. in the Global Economy II  

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.

Number of Credits: 3-4  
When Offered: Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150; MTH 114 or 120 or equivalent  
ECN 270  Special Topics in Economics  

Topics include Labor Markets, Employment and Wages; Women in the Economy; European Union; Economics of Sports; Economics of Entertainment; and Law and Economics.

Number of Credits: 1-3  
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor  
ECN 271  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 272  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 273  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 274  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 275  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 276  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 277  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 279  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 287  Economics Internship  

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.

Number of Credits: 3,6  
Prerequisites: ECN 201, at least sophomore standing, and permission of Department Chair  
ECN 288  Economics Internship  

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.

Number of Credits: 3-6  
Prerequisites: ECN 201, at least sophomore standing, and permission of Department Chair  
ECN 314  Econometrics  

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.

Number of Credits: 4  
When Offered: Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 213 or BUS 202 or permission of Chair  
ECN 331  International Economics  

This course involves 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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Fall  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150 and ECN 201  
ECN 332  Political Economy of Africa  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150  
ECN 333  Ecn of International Business  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
Prerequisites: ECN 150, 201; MTH 114 or 120; junior standing.  
ECN 334  The Political Economy of Latin America  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 335  International Trade and Trade Wars  

This course provides an overview of the U.S. in the global economy and the history of the World Trade Organization (WTO), an examination of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism, and an examination of major trade disputes that involve the U.S. The course ultimately explores how international trade laws, politics, diplomacy, and multi-national corporations in pursuit of profits interact.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Summer  
How Offered: Online  
Prerequisites: ECN 150  
ECN 337  Political Economy of Eastern Europe  

This course first explores the structure and outcomes of a centrally-planned economic system in contrast to a market-based economic system. Second, it examines how the transition from planned to market took place (or is still under way) in Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Lastly, it considers a wide range of contemporary political and economic challenges facing countries across the region, from building democratic institutions and strengthening the rule of law to establishing competitive markets and addressing social and economic injustices.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150  
ECN 340  American Economic History  

This course describes and analyzes long-term economic growth and development since colonization. It stresses changes in demographic, technological, and institutional factors as they interact with the market system. Basic economic concepts and theories of growth are applied to significant historical questions.

Number of Credits: 3  
Prerequisites: ECN 150  
ECN 351  Environmental Economics  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150 or permission of Chair  
ECN 352  Labor Economics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 354  Economics of the Entertainment Industry  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Spring  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150  
ECN 356  Healthcare Economics  

This course explores the economics of health and health care. It introduces students to different economic perspectives on the determinants of health, how health insurance markets are organized, and the challenges facing the U.S. health care system. The course also examines how health care services are financed and delivered in other countries. Special attention is paid to recent health care reforms, including the Affordable Care Act.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Fall  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150  
ECN 370  Special Topics in Economics  

Topics include Labor Markets, Employment and Wages; Women in the Economy; European Union; Economics of Sports; Economics of Entertainment; and Law and Economics.

Number of Credits: 3  
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor  
ECN 373  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 2-3  
ECN 375  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 385  Cooperative Education  

This experience will be a 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.

Number of Credits: 3  
Prerequisites: ECN 214; ECN 221; and junior standing or senior standing, and permission of Department Chair  
ECN 386  Cooperative Education  

This experience will be a 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.

Number of Credits: 3  
Prerequisites: ECN 214; ECN 221; and junior standing or senior standing, and permission of Department Chair  
ECN 389  Econ Internship II  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 432  Comparative Econ Sys  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 441  History of Economic Thought  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Fall  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: ECN 150 and ECN 201  
ECN 442  Modern Econ Thought  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 444  Research in ECN I  

This course provides the student with an opportunity to do research with a faculty member. The student and the faculty member agree on the research project before the student registers for the course.

Number of Credits: 1-3  
ECN 445  Research in ECN II  

This course is a continuation of the 444 research course. It provides the student with an opportunity to continue to conduct research with a faculty member.

Number of Credits: 1-3  
ECN 452  20th Century Russia & the USSR  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 455  Public Finance  

This course involves 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.

Number of Credits: 3  
Prerequisites: ECN 150; ECN 201  
ECN 470  Special Topics in Economics  

Topics include Labor Markets, Employment and Wages; Women in the Economy; European Union; Economics of Sports; Economics of Entertainment; and Law and Economics.

Number of Credits: 2-4  
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor  
ECN 471  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 474  Special Topics  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 475  Independent Study  

Number of Credits: 3  
ECN 481  Seminar in Economics  

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. It stresses techniques for the preparation of written research reports. Students will ordinarily deliver to the seminar an oral presentation of their research results.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Fall  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: Senior standing in ECN 213, ECN 221 or ECN 222  
ECN 485  Seminar in Economics and International Studies  

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.

Number of Credits: 3  
When Offered: Fall  
How Offered: Face to Face  
Prerequisites: Senior standing in ECN 213, ECN 221 or ECN 222