Courses
Upcoming Semester Courses
Course Descriptions for Fall 2008
The following course descriptions give the number and title of each course. Lecture hours per week, laboratory and/or tutorial hours per week, and credits each semester are in parentheses. The instructor's name, as available, is also included.
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10011/20011 Principles of Micro Economics
(3-0-3) 9:30-10:25, MWF Staff, 10:40-11:30 MWF Basu, 11:45-12:35 MWF Basu, 3:00-3:50 MWF Staff, 9:35-10:45 TR Hungerman, 12:30-1:45 TR Hungerman, 2:00-3:15 TR Rath, 3:30-4:45 TR Basu, Ruccio, 5:00-6:15 TR Basu
An introduction to economics with emphasis on the nature and method of economics, national income and its determinants, fluctuations in national income, money and credit, fiscal and monetary policies, economic growth.
10020/20020 Principles of Macro Economics
(3-0-3) 12:30--1:45 TR Ros, 2:00-3:15 TR Lee, 3:30-4:45 TR Lee
An introduction to economics with particular attention to the pricing mechanism, competitive and monopolistic markets, government regulation of the economy, labor-management relations and programs, income determination and public policy, foreign trade and the international economy.
13181 Soc. Science University Seminar (Freshman Only)
(3-0-3)
Rakowski 11:00-12:15 TH
Morality and the Marketplace, Self-interest and Social Responsibility
This course will not attempt to teach you the content of the principles of economics. Instead it will focus on certain economic concepts and explore how they relate to notions of morality and social responsibility. There will be considerable emphasis on game theory, a body of thought which spans several traditional social science disciplines.
Leahy - 12:30-1:45 TH
Economics and Society
This seminar will examine past and current American economic challenges and problems through reading, analyzing and discussing the major works of significant economists and other writers on the subject of economics. Emphasis will be place on economics as a social science and its effect on the overall society as well as on communities, families and individuals
20503 - Wal-Mart: Structure, Behavior, Performance
(1-0-1) 5:00-6:15 Tuesday only 10/02/2008-11/27/2008 Craypo
Wal-Mart has greater sales revenue and more employees than any other corporation in the world. As such, it is both a determinant of and a window on the way that Americans shop and work in the New Economy. This course examines how Wal-Mart is structured, how it behaves and how it performs compared with other dominant firms now and in the past. Wal-Mart says it gives us low prices everyday; its critics say it does so but at too high a price in social costs.
20504 Poverty and the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter
(1-0-1) 4:00-5:15 Wednesday only 09/23/2008-12/18/2008 4:30-7:00 10/17 Wilber
This class is designed to rewrite the poverty section of Chapter 3 in the Bishops' 1986 letter, "Economic Justice for All." There will be hearings with groups of economists, theologians, community activists, et al. The idea is to simulate the process the bishops went through in writing the original document and to update the material in light of changes in the economy over the past 19 years. Each student will prepare a paper (8-10pp.) that rewrites the poverty section.
30010 Intermediate Economic Theory - Micro
(3-0-3) 8:00-9:15 MW Sullivan, 12:50-1:40 MWF Rakowski
An examination of the language and analytical tools of microeconomics emphasizing the functional relationship between the factor and product markets and resource allocation. Prerequisite: Econ 10010/20010 and 10020/20020
30020 Intermediate Economic Theory - Macro
(3-0-3) 12:30-1:45 TR TR, 1:30-2:45 MW Dutt
An intensive examination of macroeconomics with particular reference to the determination of national income, employment, and the general price level. Prerequisite: Econ 10010/20010 and 10020/20020
30330 Statistics for Economics - Introduction
(3-0-3) 11:45-1:00 MW Betson
This course seeks to introduce the student to the principles of probability and statistical theory appropriate for the study of economics. The emphasis of the course will be on hypothesis testing and regression analysis. Prerequisite: Econ 10010/20010
30331 Econometrics
(3-0-3) 1:30-2:45 MW Bill Evans, 3:30-4:45 TR Lugauer
Provides students with an understanding of when and how to use basic econometric methods in their work as an economists, including the ability to recognize which econometric technique is appropriate in a given situation as well as what explicit and implicit assumptions are being made using the method. Topics covered include estimation and hypothesis testing using basic regression analysis, problems with basic regression analysis, alternative econometric methods, limited dependent variables, and simultaneous equation models.
30500 The Economics of Poverty
(3-0-3) 3:00-4:15 MW– Warlick
An examination of the extent and causes of poverty in the United States. The current system of government programs to combat poverty is analyzed. Reforms of this system are also considered. Prerequisite: Econ 10010/20010
Econ 33200 Introduction to Political Economy (writing intensive)
(3-0-3) 11:00-2:15 TR Wolfson
The course is an introduction to the "other" side of economics: heterodox economics or political economy. Political economy perspectives include Marxian, Post Keynesian, radical, institutionalist, feminist, and other approaches. The course will also investigate the theoretical and social consequences of different approaches, and how policies and institutional changes that promote social justice and human dignity can be formulated in our current economic environment. Prerequisite: Econ 10010/20010 and 10020/20020
33410 Labor Relations Law (writing intensive)
(3-0-3) TR 9:30-10:45 TR Leahy
A study of the development of common and statutory law with reference to industrial relations in the United States with emphasis on the case method. Prerequisite: Econ 10010/20010 and 10020/20020
40360 Money, Credit, and Banking
(3-0-3) 12:30-1:45 TR Bonello
An examination of the money and credit-supply processes and the role of money and credit in the economy. Topics include financial intermediaries, financial markets, the changing regulatory environment, monetary policy, and international monetary arrangements
40400 - Advanced Labor Economics
(3-0-3) 1:30-2:45 MW Sullivan
This class presents a detailed exposition of neoclassical labor market theory and empirical research in labor economics. Topics include the determinants of labor supply and demand, occupational and educational choice, mobility, wage dispersion, and discrimination. Students will use the econometric methods introduced in ECON 30331 to analyze the effects that policies have on worker behavior and labor market outcomes. Policies that will be examined include the minimum wage, welfare reform, affirmative action, education policy, and income redistribution policies.
40560 Tax Policy
(3-0-3) 3:00-4:15 MW Betson
This course will introduce students to the following topics: description of alternative tax instruments; historical trends of tax policies of the federal and state governments; discussion of what would be a "good" tax and criteria for choosing among different taxes; theoretical analysis of taxes on household and business decisions; empirical evidence of the distribution and efficiency consequences of different taxes; debt and deficits.
40710 International Trade
(3-0-3) 4:30-5:45 MW- Kim
The objective of this course is to provide students with the basics of theory, institution, and practices of foreign trade and investment, with special references to economic integration at the regional and global level. By mastering the basic concepts and analytical skills, you will gain a better understanding of complex economic relations in today's global economy. The course at the same time emphasizes the application of basic theories and tools your have learned in analyzing contemporary policy issues. Prerequisite: Economics 30020
40860 Mexico’s Economic Development
- 3:30-4:45 TR Ros
43201 Topics in Political Economy (writing intensive)
(3-0-3) 2:00-3:15 TR Ruccio
A seminar course on Labor and the U.S. Economy. It will address the following questions: What has happened to workers’ wages, working conditions, and union organization? What has happened to family income and the distribution of wealth? How have women and people of color fared? How have workers been affected by government policies, such as tax cuts, budget deficits, deregulation, welfare reform, trade agreements, and Social Security policy? What are the possibilities for change, of policies as well as the basic structures of power and influence in our economy? The course will compare and contrast orthodox views with perspectives drawn from the writings of Marx, Keynes, Veblen, Polanyi, and other economists in the political economy tradition. Prerequisite: ECON 33200 or permission of the instructor.
43280 World Poverty and Inequality (writing intensive)
(3-0-3) 11:45-1:00 TR- Dutt
Analysis of the trends, causes and consequences of the inequality between rich and poor nations, or what are called the North and South. The course uses theoretical, empirical and broader political-economy analyses to examine the implications of international trade, capital and labor movements, technological transfers and environmental interactions between rich and poor countries. Particular emphasis is given to globalization and its effects on poor countries.
Prerequisite: Econ 30010 and 30020 and 30330 or permission of instructor.
43310 History or Economic Thought
(3-0-3) 9:30-10:45 TR Mirowski
This course intends to ask how it is that we have arrived at this curious configuration of doctrines now called "economics"; and importantly, how differing modes of historical discourse tend to ratify us in our prejudices about our own possible involvement in this project. The course will begin in the 18th century with the rise of a self-conscious discipline, and take us through the stabilization of the modern orthodoxy in WWII. Effort will be made to discuss the shifting relationship of economics to the other sciences natural and social. A basic knowledge of economics (including introductory economics and preferably intermediate economics) will be presumed.
43730 European Economic and Monetary Union
(3-0-3) 3:00-3:50 MWF Ceislik
This course focuses on Europe's movement towards economic and monetary union since the end of World War II. The course will discuss monetary theory, monetary policy, labor and capital market mobility, fiscal transfers political economy issues of central banking and EU enlargement. Class discussion is a critical part of the course in addition to standard lectures. Grades will be based on two exams, in-class discussion, attendance and presentations.