Economics Courses
ECO 100 Business As A Social Process – 3 credits
The purpose of this course is to introduce majors and non-majors to market transactions and their use by members of society to solve problems, produce goods and services through science and technology, define human existence and its ethical dilemmas, and acquire power and prestige. It includes an examination of the key decisions that business organizations face, as well as the principles of negotiation, with particular emphasis on the role that technology and society play when making those decisions. Students examine numerous novel situations involving products, markets, and organizational processes. In small groups, they will use library resources to learn more about each of these situations.
ECO 101 Principles of Economics: Macro - 3 credits
An overview of basic economic concepts and principles and an analysis of how markets allocate resources in a capitalist economy, followed by an examination of the factors that determine inflation, interest rates, employment and total output in terms of several models of aggregate economic activity, and a study of the monetary and fiscal institutions involved in formulating economic policy.
ECO 102 Principles of Economics: Micro - 3 credits
First, an overview of basic economic concepts and principles and an analysis of how resources are allocated in capitalist economies and in alternative economic systems, then a focus on the role of government in a market economy and the efficiency of market structures ranging from pure competition to monopoly. The course includes a brief survey of international economics.
ECO 201 Government, Business & Society - 3 credits
This course provides a framework for understanding the interrelationships among business, government and society as they affect management decisions. The course examines the roles and responsibilities of business in a market economy; the political, social and economic forces that determine the legal and regulatory environment of business; and ethical issues related to business decisions.
Prerequisite: ECO 102 or permission of instructor.
ECO 222 Economic Geography - 3 credits
This course uses an international perspective to examine how history and location interact with global economic forces to influence economic, social and political development. Among the topics covered are the effects of the end of colonialism and the end of the Cold War; the causes of poverty in underdeveloped countries; theories of economic development; population growth; pollution and resource depletion; and patterns and policies of international trade and investment.
ECO 260 Special Topics - 1-3 credits
Special topics that supplement the department’s regular rotation of courses. This course is a mini-course of topical interest.
ECO 302 Labor Economics - 3 credits
A micro and macro labor-market analysis, including such topics as: wage determination; wage differentials; labor mobility; relationships among wages, prices and employment; labor productivity; and labor’s share of national income. Prerequisite: ECO 102, or permission of the instructor.
ECO 304 Financial Markets and Institutions - 3 credits
An analysis of the markets for financial assets and the institutions that provide them. The course covers topics such as the nature and functions of money, depository and non-depository intermediaries, the determinants of asset prices and interest rates and the role of financial markets and instruments in risk management.
Prerequisite: ECO 101, 102.
ECO 315 International Economics - 3 credits
An exploration of the theory, policies and markets of international trade and finance. The following topics are covered: international specialization and exchange, exchange rate determination, balance of payments disturbances and adjustments, the effects of tariffs and quotas, international agencies and agreements, and foreign exchange markets. Prerequisite: ECO 101, 102.
ECO 333 Economic Sociology (GS) - 3 credits
This course uses sociological theory to help explain everyday economic life. Its application is global in nature because economic theory has not adequately informed exchange processes as world trade, investment, and globalization has multiplied. Economists base much of their own explanations of human action on the role of the individual and the assumption that perfect information exists. Economic Sociology is a sub-field that has supplied a critique of the prerequisites to economic theory, identified sociological constraints on human economic behavior, provided alternative accounts to economic activity, and broadened the concept of why humans take particular action in their daily lives. Topics considered include exchange transactions, the structure of markets, self-interest, community interest, institutions, social networks, power, sense-making, competition, trust, discrimination, and the commercial commoditization of many human needs. Prerequisite: One of ECO 101, PHI 100, PSC 201, PSY 100 or SOC 100.
ECO 390 Independent Study - 1-3 credits
Individual research, supervised readings, or projects carried out under faculty supervision. Departmental approval is required to take this course.
