51 courses with the subject ECO, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
Instructor Kumar, Staff Theories and institutions that organize and direct economic activities in contemporary society. Covering both microeconomics and macroeconomics, prepares students for understanding domestic and international economic issues, and serves as a foundation for further work in economics. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement.
Instructor Staff This course provides students without an economics background a broad overview of the health economics field. A foundation of microeconomics principles is developed, and this foundation is then used to analyze leading health care issues. Satisfies a minor credit in Economics. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement.
Instructor Staff This course introduces the student to some of the economic development issues of modern India as part of the Davidson College Semester in India Program. Students will learn basic economic principles and how to apply those principles to the India they experience. Not for major or minor credit in Economics. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.
Instructor Staff Designed for non-majors who desire to pursue some special interest in economics on an independent study basis. The proposal must be approved in advance by the faculty member who supervises the student and determines the means of evaluation as well as the Department Chair. Not for major or minor credit in Economics. Prerequisites & Notes Permission of the instructor.
Instructor Narantungalag Analysis of production and consumption activities of individual economic units. Areas of concentration include the theory of consumer behavior, cost analysis, production and distribution theory, market structure, game theory, general equilibrium, and welfare criteria. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 and Calculus I or equivalent.
Instructor Kumar, Stroup Theories of aggregate demand and supply; determination of real national income, employment, and the price level; and use of fiscal and monetary policies to achieve macroeconomic objectives. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 and Calculus I or equivalent.
Instructor Jha Application of probability and statistics to economic analysis. Topics include: probability rules, discrete and continuous random variables, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, correlation, and regression. Spreadsheet software is utilized. An economics research paper is a major component of the course. Satisfies the Mathematical and Quantitative Thought requirement. Satisfies a requirement in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor. Prerequisites & Notes ECO 101 Do not take this course if you have taken ECO 105.
Instructor Gouri Suresh, Foley Applications of linear regression analysis to economic analysis. Topics include model specification, parameter estimation, inference, and problems relating to data issues, statistical concerns, and model diagnostics. Statistical software is utilized. An economics research paper is a major component of the course. Counts as an elective in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor. Satisfies the Mathematical and Quantitative Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 and Economics 204. Calculus I or equivalent.
Instructor B. Baker Comprehensive study of the theory and problems of valuation of assets, application of funds, corporation accounts and statements; interpretation and analysis of financial statements. Prerequisites & Notes Only two courses numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics major. Only one course numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics minor.
Instructor B. Baker Complex problems in various areas of financial accounting, with emphasis on theoretical background and analysis of accounting data. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 211. Only two courses numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics major. Only one course numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics minor. (Spring)
Instructor B. Baker Study of allocation and utilization of resources. Emphasis on cost behavior, cost allocation, product costing, budgeting, decision-making and control activities related to job-order, process and activity-based costing (ABC) systems. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 211. Only two courses numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics major. Only one course numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics minor. (Fall)
Instructor Staff This course provides a foundation in the principles and tools of finance, which include financial analysis, the time value of money, capital budgeting and capital structure. It emphasizes an intuitive, logically rigorous understanding of the theory and practice of finance, illustrating concepts that are applicable to public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Ethical and societal issues related to these principles are examined. Only two courses numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics major. Only one course numbered 211-214 may count towards the Economics minor. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 211
Instructor M. Foley Study of strategic situations in theory and practice. Course begins with the concept of Nash equilibrium and covers refinements of it, addressing ideas such as mixed strategies, preemption, wars of attrition, commitment, repeated games, and signaling. Satisfies a Mathematical & Quantitative Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 and Calculus I or equivalent.
Instructor Staff Economic perspective on differences in health outcomes and health care utilization across the categories of income, wealth, education, gender and race. Includes study of theories of time allocation, health production, health insurance and discrimination, and assessment of related empirical research and policies. Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 or both Economics 122 and permission of the instructor. Recommended, but not required: Economics 204.
Instructors F. Smith Principal events affecting economic policy and behavior in the United States since colonial times. Emphasis on historical origins of contemporary American problems. Satisfies the Historical Thought requirement. Satisfies the Justice, Equality, and Community requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101.
Instructor Narantungalag Focuses on the application of economic tools to the evaluation of environmental amenities, the analysis of pollution control policies, the uses of renewable and nonrenewable resources, and the protection of biodiversity. Examines the strengths and weaknesses of the economic approach to those issues. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Satisfies depth and breadth course requirement in the Social Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 required; Calculus I or equivalent recommended.
Instructor Cools This course examines the changing role of gender in the labor market and the household. Topics to be studied include: the rise in females’ formal labor force participation during the second half of the twentieth century; gender differences in employment, occupation, and earnings; theoretical and empirical approaches to studying discrimination; and the interactions between market opportunities, government policies, and family formation (including fertility, marriage, divorce, and cohabitation). Satisfies Gender and Sexuality major and minor requirement Satisfies the Justice, Equality, and Community requirement Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101.
Instructor Stroup Examine how markets and institutions allocate capital and share risk. Use economic equilibrium as a unifying framework for scrutinizing topics such as asset pricing, investment decisions, mergers and acquisitions, and the roles of intermediaries such as investment banks and asset managers. In a liberal arts context, this course is tailored for ambitious and passionate learners who prioritize lasting skill development over rote memorization of facts and concepts; develop critical thinking and problem solving skills by reasoning from models to evidence; communicate with precision; analyze interactions between the financial sector and society as a whole. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 and Economics 204.
Instructor F. Smith Role of economics in the development of modern cities. Topics include: the monocentric-city model, urban land values, crime, transportation, education, and taxation. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101.
Instructor Kumar Evolution of economic thought in a social-historical context, from the Mercantilists up to Keynes, with particular attention to the Classical, Marxian, Austrian, Neoclassical, Institutional, and Keynesian schools. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101.
Instructor Gouri Suresh Types of migration, economic basis for migration, aggregate and distributional consequences on migrant sending and receiving countries, fiscal and other effects of migration, ‘brain-drain’ and ‘brain-gain’, remittances, migration policy. Satisfies an interdisciplinary minor requirement for International Studies. Satisfies a South Asian Studies interdisciplinary minor requirement. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101
Instructor B. Crandall This course combines economic theory, policy and historical accounts to understand forces that have shaped Latin American economic development. You will gain an understanding of major theories and trends in Latin American development while obtaining the necessary tools to analyze specific development issues and the impact of development projects. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement. Counts for the Latin American Studies major and minor. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101.
Instructor Narantungalag This course explores the role natural resources play in economic development, examining case studies from developed and developing countries. You will learn economic theories that explain why some countries are successful in using their natural resources effectively. It will examine the impacts of natural resources on national economies, human welfare, environmental pollution, and local communities, and the transition to sustainable development. Satisfies Economics major and minor requirement. Satisfies Environmental Studies major and minor requirement Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes ECO 101. This course is open to first-year students who already have credit from ECO 101 and meet the requirement for ECO 101.
Instructor Jha Why are some countries rich and others so poor? What are the commonalities across today’s low-income countries, and how are they dissimilar? Which policies can best move billions of people from abject poverty to development and prosperity? This course is about the huge differences in incomes and standards of living that separates the wealthy nations from the poor. We will explore the nature and meaning of development and its macroeconomic manifestations within the context of a major set of economic problems faced by developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Topics include economic growth and structural transformation; poverty and inequality; agricultural transformation and rural development; human capital; migration and urbanization; foreign aid; violence and armed conflict; and role of monetary policy and fiscal policy to foster macroeconomic stability and economic development. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Satsifies Justice, Equality and Community requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101
Instructor Kumar This course explores the central role of financial markets, and financial institutions and policies in our economy. It considers topics such as the term and risk structures of interest rates, bond and stock markets, the efficient markets hypothesis and behavioral finance, and the importance of imperfect information in the regulatory framework. The analyses of these concepts inform us about the lessons from the global financial crisis and the financial sector’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. A study of the Federal Reserve, its policy practices, and its evolving portfolio of responsibilities at the intersection of policy and politics enhances understanding of significant contemporary of issues. Satisfies an Economics major and minor requirement Satisfies Social and Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes ECO 101
Instructor Jha The purpose of this course is to explore relationships between religious communities (their commitments, ideas, and practices) and economic life (its institutions, roles, and attitudes). These relationships have been important in many places and times, from ancient cultures to the present day, and raise questions about a good society, justice, and equality. In some contemporary contexts, reflections about these relationships are especially significant for social ethics.
Instructor Stroup What economic forces shape reallocation of capital across firms, and how do they affect value, incentives, and society? This course studies capital allocation and reallocation at two levels: macro forces shaping productivity and inequality, and the micro choices that drive them-how firms are bought, sold, restructured, and governed. Students develop skills in modeling value, risk, and incentives, while applying an economic and organizational lens to institutions, bargaining, and market design. In a liberal arts context, students build durable critical-thinking skills by shifting perspectives, reasoning from models to evidence, and communicating with precision. Satisfies Economics major and minor requirement. Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes ECO 101
Instructor B. Crandall Students will engage in learning about the economic issues associated with the development of modern India as part of the Davidson College Semester in India Program. Students will review introductory economics, read an economic analysis of India, and apply the lessons learned from their readings to the India they experience. Satisfies a requirement in the Economics major and minor. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought Ways of Knowing requirement. Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101 (Introductory Economics).
Instructor B. Crandall This course examines the interaction between economic and political forces on an international scale. It includes an introduction to both international trade and international monetary theory, applying how both political and economic factors interact to influence outcomes. Among the questions we address: Why do currencies go “up” or “down,” and with what implications? How do financial crises begin and spread? Who are the winners and losers from international trade, and how should we best measure economic welfare? We will look other topical IPE issues such as the history and current role of the US dollar in the global economy, the function and impact of International Financial Institutions, income inequality, and the relationship between democracy, national security, and open markets. In addition to using texts and selected readings, we will rely on several case studies and country-specific analysis to further our understanding of the international economic global structure and the interaction between and among countries. Satisfies a Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101. Students who have already taken POL 360 are not eligible to take this class.
This is a placeholder course number for an upper-level Economics course. Detailed information will be available once a faculty member is hired.
Instructor Gouri Suresh Computational methods for building and solving models in the context of economics topics. Methods discussed include agent-based simulations to analyze complex adaptive systems, value function iteration to solve dynamic structural models, and miscellaneous estimation and optimizing techniques. Satisfies an interdisciplinary minor requirement for applied mathematics. Counts as an elective in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor. Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 204 or permission of the instructor.
Instructor M. Foley Incorporation of psychological insights into economic models, with emphasis on empirical evidence. Also known as behavioral economics. Analysis of how individuals depart from a standard economic model in three ways: 1) nonstandard preferences, such as procrastination, 2) nonstandard beliefs, such as overconfidence about one’s ability, and 3) nonstandard decision making, such as framing effects and the roles of social pressure and peer influences. Some class meetings will be held jointly with a corporate partner or startup, and a class project will apply behavioral economics principles to a real-world issue within the context of a design-thinking process. Satisfies the Social-Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 204 and Economics 202.
Instructor Smith, F Public Choice Economics is the application of economic methods to problems usually within the sphere of political science. This research seminar is as much a vehicle for developing a student’s research skills as it is a valuable field of inquiry. The students will actively engage with their peers in learning about Public Choice Economics, in developing a viable research proposal, and in conducting their own empirical research projects. It is appropriate for either advanced economics-focused students with an interest political science or advanced political science-focused students with an interest in economics. Prerequisites & Notes Economics focus: Economics 204 (Statistics), either Economics 202 (Intermediate Microeconomics) or Economics 203 (Intermediate Macroeconomics), and a Political Science course above 201. Political Science focus: Political Science 201 (Methods and Statistics in Political Science), a Political Science course above 300, and Economics 101 (Introductory Economics).
Instructor Denteh Application of basic tools of economic analysis to the markets for medical care and health insurance in the United States. Includes international comparisons of health care systems in both developed and developing countries and proposals to reform the health care system in the United States. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101, 202, and 204.
Instructors A Cools, M. Foley Labor markets, unionization, unemployment, and public policy primarily in the setting of the United States. (A student may not receive credit for both ECO 224 and ECO 324.) Satisfies a Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 204 and Economics 202 or permission of the instructor.
Instructor O’Keefe Analysis of the role the public sector plays in a mixed economy. Topics include public goods, externalities, tax policy, expenditure policy, budget deficits, and the national debt. Includes proposals for tax welfare, and health care reforms. A student may not receive credit for both Economics 225 and Economics 325. Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 202.
Instructor Kumar Term structure of interest rates, structure of financial markets, regulatory framework, asset demand theories, Federal Reserve system and operation of monetary policy. Satisfies a Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 203.
Instructor Smith, F Sports economics covers the major economic issues confronted in professional and major college sports. The course examines four topics in depth: (1) the structure of professional sports industry, (2) public finance issues surrounding stadium construction and team ownership in professional sports, (3) labor market issues in professional sports, and (4) the economics of amateur athletics (with a focus on the NCAA). Prerequisites & Notes ECO 202 and ECO 205
Instructor Casavilca Silva What sustains economic growth in the long run? This question was the focus of Adam Smith’s 1776 masterpiece “The Wealth of Nations”. Nobel laureate Robert Lucas famously said that “Once one starts to think about [questions of economic growth], it is hard to think about anything else.” The purpose of this course is to explain and explore the modern theories of economic growth. We will use theoretical and empirical models and publicly available data to study the role of key components of economics growth such as: capital accumulation, including all new investments in land, physical equipment, and human resources through improvements in health, education, and job skills; population growth; technological progress; openness to trade and capital flow; institutions, culture, and geography; and environmental sustainability. Satisfies a Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 203
Instructor Gouri Suresh Economic basis for international trade, determinants and consequences of trade flows, barriers to trade, and trade policy. Satisfies a Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 202.
Instructors Kumar Macroeconomics of an open economy, balance-of-payments adjustment, exchange-rate regimes, and coordination of international economic policy. Satisfies a Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 203.
Instructor Narantungalag This course introduces policy-relevant impact evaluation tools for undergraduate economics students. The course emphasizes the evaluation of the effect of a policy or a naturally occurring event, and how such a policy or event affects the economic and social outcomes of individuals exposed. The course focuses strongly on the applications of evaluation methods and techniques, while students are expected to fully understand the conceptual foundations of each method. The primary goal of the course is to equip students with various evaluation tools that sharpen their skills to undertake applied quantitative research. The course will teach students the theoretical foundations of each impact evaluation technique and apply each technique in empirical studies throughout the course. The secondary objective of the course is to provide students with practical experience with implementing policy impact evaluation tools using Stata, a statistical software. Using the methods studied in class, students are expected to conduct their own policy impact evaluation. Satisfies Economics major and minor requirement. Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes
Instructor Staff Reading, research, papers, and discussion on selected topics in economics. Each faculty member announces in advance the particular topic or area of the seminar. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 202 or 203. Spring 2022: Not open to those with credit for ECO 221.
Instructor Jha This course will build on students’ understanding of statistics and basic econometrics to develop further the empirical model building skills they have acquired previously. The course will provide an overview of classical and modern approaches to forecasting in business, economics, and finance. Topics include regression analysis, exponential smoothing and filtering, ARIMA models, modeling and forecasting trend and seasonality, evaluating and combining forecasts. Students will also write forecast reports and deliver oral presentations of their forecasts to classmates as well as learn how to critique constructively others’ reports and presentations. Satisfies Applied Mathematics minor requirement. Satisfies Data Science minor requirement. Satisfies the Mathematical and Quantitative Thought requirement Prerequisites & Notes
Instructor Stroup A small group of selected students works together to formulate a monetary policy recommendation for the U.S. central bank, emulating the Federal Open Market Committee, and five members of the class will present this recommendation in the annual Federal Reserve Challenge Competition to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Students use macroeconomic theory, data, and cutting-edge research to analyze current economic conditions. Each student will prepare an independent monetary policy briefing that is supported by mathematical theory and scholarly research. Satisfies Economics major and minor requirement. Prerequisites & Notes
Instructor Stroup The intensive writing course provides students with opportunities to construct arguments by combining theory (reasons) and data (evidence). The class has a discussion-focused format and emphasizes students’ claims and counter-claims about theories and evidence in empirical asset pricing. The objective is to link empirical methods to theoretical concepts, and encourage students to take intellectual risks and engage in economics research with confidence. Topics covered include portfolio theory, security price movements, alternative investment and asset pricing models, and testing and interpretation of these models. This is a research-focused course that teaches practical applications of quantitative methods in finance, designed for highly motivated and technically skilled undergraduate students seeking to practice and critique the use of economics tools. Satisfies Economics major and minor requirement. Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes
Instructor Stroup Designed for the major who desires to pursue some special interest in economics. A research proposal must be approved in advance by the faculty member who supervises the student and determines the means of evaluation as well as the Department Chair. Prerequisites & Notes At least one of Economics 202, 203, or 205, and permission of the instructor.
This is a placeholder course number for an upper-level Economics course. Detailed information will be available once a faculty member is hired.
Instructor Foley Independent research designed to formulate a written proposal for an honors thesis. The proposal will include a review of recent literature, development of a theoretical framework and research hypotheses, and a discussion of your empirical estimation approach and available data. An oral defense of the written proposal is required. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Not for major or minor credit in Economics. Prerequisites & Notes Successful completion of Economics 202, 203, and 205 are prerequisites for registering for the course. Under exceptional circumstance, following a student request, the course instructor for Eco. 494 may waive one of these requirements.
This Senior Seminar is required of all seniors majoring in economics. Students demonstrate their abilities to engage in economic analyses using the tools developed in their intermediate-level courses by participating in colloquia on economic problems, theory, and policy. Exploiting the seminar nature of the course, students will write, edit, and revise convincing professional economic arguments; they take the ETS Major Field Test in Economics and an oral examination conducted by an external examiner; and hear from guest speakers about their research and policy interests. Spring 2026 ECO 495-A: Contemporary Economic Issues Instructor Gouri Suresh In this course we will conduct a close study of a few “timeless” economics topics as well as a few “timely” economics research publications. Under timeless topics we will discuss markets and market failures as well as the powerful possibilities and limitations of data analysis techniques over the years. In addition, students will get choose a few timeless topics (by selecting corresponding chapters from the assigned textbook) for further study. Students will also choose “timely” papers from recent issues of the Journal of Economics Perspectives and the Oxford Review of Economic Policy. Students will read, analyze, present, discuss, and write about these timely papers ECO 495-B: Beckerian Economics Instructor O’Keefe Gary Becker was one of the most influential economists of the twentieth century, whose seminal theories are still inspiring new work. This course will focus on several of the topics Becker worked on: crime, discrimination, marriage, fertility, and human capital development. Each section will include a discussion of Becker’s theoretical model and extensions before diving into more recent empirical research. Each student will complete an empirical project that relates to one of the theoretical models we discuss in class. ECO 495-C: Topics in Public Policy Instructor Cools ECO 495-D: Topics in Corporate Finance Instructor Stroup In this research-focused senior seminar, learners evaluate claims and counterclaims in corporate finance by linking theoretical models to empirical evidence. The course is best suited to learners prepared to work consistently and engage deeply with quantitative methods, as we study firm behavior through topics such as capital investment policy, project selection, valuation, and acquisitions. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by reasoning from models to evidence and communicating with precision. Each learner completes and defends an original empirical research project throughout the semester within a supportive learning community. ECO 495-H: Honors Research Instructor Foley The Honors Thesis in Economics consists of two semesters of work with a thesis proposal as the output from ECO 494-H in the fall semester and a final thesis as the output from ECO 495-H in the spring semester. Students conduct independent research guided by faculty in which they develop a feasible, specific research question and apply the empirical tools or methods as well as economic modeling approaches learned in prior courses to answer the research question. Previous topics Urban Economic History of the U.S. - 1865-2015
Source: Davidson College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
