32 courses with the subject ECON, 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.
ECON 103Introductory Economic Analysis4
Introduces students to an analytical framework for understanding issues of contemporary concern using economic concepts, models, and methods. In addition to foundational theory, this course incorporates modern theoretical insights and empirical findings to present economics to introductory students as it is practiced by academics in the field. Using an integrated instruction of macro- and microeconomic themes, the goal of this course is to help students identify, analyze, and formulate solutions to real-world problems. No credit given to students who have credit for both ECON 101 and 102. Fall and Spring.
Introduces foundational economic theory, concepts, models, and methods to students pursuing a major in engineering. No credit given to students who have credit for ECON 102 or 103.
E 101 or permission of instructor. See department chair.
ECON 106Introduction to Finance4
Introduces students to the basic principles of finance and valuation that are useful in business finance and personal finance. Students learn basic finance concepts such as cash flow, interest rates, personal and professional financial statements, time value of money, insurance types, the fundamentals of security markets along with their financial instruments, and the financial manager’s decision-making process. This course also considers the risk-return trade-off in portfolio investments, capital market theory, and market efficiency issues. Students learn the fundamentals of financial statements and how to measure a company’s financial health. In addition, students explore how to allocate capital across time to create value. Fall.
Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
Subject
ECON
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
6
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes.
An introduction to the theory of the production and consumption of food. Topics include the role of agricultural and food policy in domestic and international food markets, food aid, the economics of food security, consumer behavior around food purchasing, the economics of obesity, challenges associated with building a sustainable food system, and world food problems such as famines and perpetually repressed agricultural productivity. Students will be required to participate in group-based discussion, critical thinking activities, contemplative practices, and/or cross-course activities. See department chair.
An examination of the interdependence of land and people, with special emphasis on how people affect land. Issues considered include the determination of property values, property rights, land tenure, land conversion, dispossession, and government policies including (de)colonization. Additional topics may include the geography of land use, urban economics, place-making, and housing policy. Students will be required to participate in group-based discussion, critical thinking activities, and contemplative practices.
Energy Economics studies a wide range of issues dealing with energy consumption, energy production, and trade within energy markets. The course emphasizes the application of economics to relevant energy markets at both the local and global levels including the power, renewables, gas, and environmental sectors. Topics include energy pricing, the role of energy in promoting economic development and social welfare, and the economic reasoning behind conservation and other energy market regulations. No prerequisites. Every other Spring.
An examination of the causes and consequences of immigration using theoretical and empirical tools. Course covers the migration experience from the perspectives of immigrants, residents of origin countries, and people in destination countries. Particular attention is paid to: (1) why people immigrate, where they choose to locate, how long they choose to stay, and how they adjust (assimilate) to their new countries; and (2) how immigration affects native-born citizens in destination countries, including the effects on employment, wages, and fiscal outcomes. Odd years Spring.
Economics and policy course on race and economic opportunity in the United States. Course is oriented around an examination of how de facto and de jure institutions shape economic opportunity in the United States and how current opportunities and economic outcomes are the result of extractive and exclusionary policies, programs, and markets layered throughout American history. Course begins with a critical examination of the social construction of race and its role in developing and spreading capitalism across the globe, followed by study of exclusionary institutional arrangements enacted during key periods in American history. We trace the impacts of these policy decisions to the present. In addition to learning about contemporary racial disparities, we analyze policy solutions for fighting racial inequality and achieving true equality of opportunity in the United States. Fall.
Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
Subject
ECON
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
6
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes.
An examination of theories and evidence on economic growth and business cycles. The course covers determination of gross domestic product, investment, consumption, employment, and unemployment. It also covers analysis of wage rates, interest rates, and inflation. Finally, it examines the roles of fiscal and monetary policies. At the end of the course, students have a better understanding of how the economy works and how different macroeconomic policies affect people’s lives. No credit given to students who have credit for ECON 301.
An examination of theories of consumer behavior, production and cost, the firm and market organization, general equilibrium and economic welfare. One of the main objectives of this course is to understand microeconomic theory using mathematics. In order to facilitate this, we will devote a significant portion of this class to problem solving and exploring how to conduct economic analysis using mathematics. No credit given to students who have credit for ECON 302.
An examination of concepts and methods used by financial market analysts and investors. Topics include the basics of personal investing, financial market organization and structure, the measurement and interpretation of risk, the relationship between risk and return, the time value of money, and the technical, efficient market, and dividend discount investment strategies.
ECON 103 and satisfaction of the Core Curriculum Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Spring.
ECON 306Corporate Finance4
An examination of concepts and methods used by financial managers. Topics include financial statements, the time value of money, stock and bond valuation, risk and the capital asset pricing model, the cost of capital, and the capital budgeting, capital structure, and working capital management problems.
ACCT 215 or at least 8 credit hours in ECON. Fall and Spring.
ECON 308Sports Economics4
Application of foundational microeconomic theory to the sports industry of the United States. We explore the application of various subsets of microeconomic theory including Industrial Organization, Labor Economics, and Public Economics to the sports industry. The class is analytical and requires a strong foundation in fundamental algebra.
ECON 103 or permission of instructor. Odd years Spring.
ECON 314Economic Growth and Development4
Highlights the need and difficulty in achieving economic growth and development, particularly for low-income countries. Toward this end, the course analyzes the meanings, measurements, sources, and implications of economic growth, economic development, income inequality, and poverty; examines what role policymakers have in facilitating economic growth and development and the challenges they face; and studies several policy areas to understand the purposes, tools, and constraints of particular policies. Students will come to understand and appreciate the complexities of economic policymaking from what, at first glance, seems to flow so easily from economic theory.
An examination of the causes and consequences of poverty through the lens of human rights. Course reviews the methods for measuring human well-being and analyzing human capital formation as well as the evidence base regarding the impacts of anti-poverty programs. Scope of the course is global, covering examples from both high-income and low-income countries.
Feminist Economics analyzes economic theory and policy through the lens of gender. It looks at how gender informs the economy, economic outcomes and people’s economic experiences. With this view, our emphasis in this course will be on exposing students to the theoretical limitations of orthodox economic theory in addressing issues related to gender and power. In addition, we will introduce alternative feminist economic theories and empirical approaches to economic analysis. Our study will include topics such as occupational segregation by sex, the gender wage gap, feminist critiques of economic choice, economics of the household, caring labor, household production, identity, and sexuality. An additional objective of this course is to introduce students to ideas and empirical methods that will enhance their ability to think critically about economics and gender as it relates to their own lives, their households, their communities, and the broader world.
Modern mainstream economics portrays itself as an amoral, positive science. Yet, issues of morality cannot be separated from issues of material well-being and progress. Accordingly, students in this seminar course will examine the positions of some major thinkers from across the ages regarding the relationship between morality, material well-being, and the good life. In the process, philosophy, economics, religion, and classics will be brought into dialogue on matters of contemporary importance.
ECON 339Environmental and Natural Resource Economics and Policy4
A pluralist examination of the causes of pollution and resource degradation as well as possible policy solutions through the theoretical lenses of neo-classical economics, institutional economics, and political economy. Critical attention is paid to how inequality, incentives, and institutional arrangements can drive environmental degradation. Topics include carbon pollution, air pollution, water pollution, as well as sustainable use of forests and other natural resources. Methods covered include non-market valuation, cost-benefit analysis, and applied policy analysis. Course considers various policy instruments including international climate agreements, carbon pricing, pollution taxes, cap-and-trade systems, and payments for ecosystem services.
A study of analytical frameworks used to understand financial markets and an examination of how the Federal Reserve operates and how monetary policy is conducted. The course also investigates how banks interact with and affect the rest of the economy.
A comprehensive exploration of modern trade theory, trade policy, and their impact on economic welfare. Through detailed analysis of trade models, students will evaluate the benefits and challenges of international trade and globalization. Key topics include trade policy instruments (tariffs, quotas, and subsidies), factor mobility (labor migration and capital flows), the impact of trade on income distribution, and the dynamics of global economic integration.
Students will participate in the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which is designed to help low to moderate income households prepare and file their tax returns. No experience with the tax code is necessary. Grading is S/U.
Exploration of the key concepts and dynamics of international macroeconomics and finance, focusing on the interconnected nature of global economies. Topics include exchange rate determination, international capital flows, the balance of payments, and the impact of monetary and fiscal policies in open economies. Special attention is given to the role of financial markets in shaping global economic trends and managing economic crises.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of climate adaptation finance, essential content for business owners, policy makers, informed voters and citizens, and consumers who wish to understand climate resilience. No prior knowledge of finance or climate change is required. We analyze climate mitigation and adaptation strategies in all sectors of climate-resilient and non-resilient economies and identify possible sources of finance for both local and global adaptation policies. Topics covered in this survey course include economic perspectives of climate change science, the role of climate change adaptations and policies, adaptation costs and benefits, bond and stock valuation for green funds, comparison of alternate investment criteria in financing adaptation strategies, climate and renewable energy finance, climate risk insurance. Odd years Spring.
An introduction to multiple regression and the data analytic methods used by economists to answer social science questions. Course covers causal inference, research design, experimental and quasi-experimental methods, and multiple regression analysis of data using statistical software computing packages.
Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
Subject
ECON
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
6
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes.
An exploration of topics that broaden the scope and deepen the foundation of students’ knowledge of economics. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the theory, literature, and methods in an important subfield of economics. Each student will develop a proposal for research in this subfield, which can be implemented in ECON 480. This course will serve as the first of two courses in the senior capstone experience. May be repeated for credit as content varies. ECON 450 must be taken the semester before enrolling in ECON 480.
Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
Subject
ECON
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
6
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes.
The final course in the senior capstone experience, in which the student conducts and presents research described in the proposal developed in ECON 450. Must be taken with the professor of ECON 450. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor.
Internships allow students to link academic learning with real-life experience in preparation for careers and graduate school. This course satisfies the experiential learning requirement as students engage in semester-long, project-based and/or skills-based internships with local, national, or international for-profit, non-profit, or governmental organizations, including remote internships. During the semester prior to taking the internship, students submit internship proposals to the department internship coordinator. Fieldwork may focus on planning, developing, and implementing a deliverable that leverages student expertise as well as host organization professional needs. Fieldwork may also focus on skills-based experiences aligned with the business major. Coursework, through meetings and class assignments, includes project management, professionalism and professional writing, guided journaling to reflect on internship experience, progress reports, portfolio development, group consultations, and a final report and presentation.
Junior standing with a minimum of 24 credit hours in the major and permission of the instructor (after proposal approval and host-site agreement completion). Priority is given to seniors graduating at the end of the internship semester. Fall and Spring.
ECON 499Undergraduate Research in Economics1-6
Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. Fall and Spring.
