EC Economics
(College of Arts and Sciences)
EC 105 The Economics of Crime
This course does not satisfy the economics requirement in the Colleges of Business and Engineering. This is an examination at the very basic introductory level of the market relationship between the amount of crime and the money spent on crime prevention and protection. A basic issue discussed in the course is that given limited resources and an obvious recognition that crime imposes an economic cost, society must make choices involving the trade-off between the economic costs of crime and the costs of purchasing more crime protection. The opportunity cost principle is used to illuminate this and other issues including the impact of criminal activity on the Gross Domestic Product and the impact of changing the legal status of certain goods and services.
3 cr.
EC 106 The Economics of Poverty and Discrimination
This course does not satisfy the economics requirement in the Colleges of Business and Engineering. This is an introduction to the economic analysis of the problems of poverty and gender and race discrimination in the United States. Competing analytical perspectives are presented and evaluated. The course covers, among other topics, the analysis of government policies such as income maintenance, minimum wages, Affirmative Action, and education policies.
3 cr.
EC 111 Principles of Economics I (Formerly EC 201)
Not open to students who have taken EC 117 or EC 206. This course introduces students to economic principles, beginning with the issue of scarcity and choice and building to an understanding of microeconomics. Topics include characteristics of the American private enterprise economy; markets, the price system, and the allocation of resources—including the different market structures in American industry; the labor market; the role of government when social costs and private costs diverge; and the distribution of income.
3 cr.
EC 112 Principles of Economics II (Formerly EC 202)
Prerequisite: EC 111. Not open to students who have completed EC 117 or EC 205. This course continues the coverage of basic economic principles. Most of the course will focus on the economy as a whole—on macroeconomics. Topics include National Income Accounting, unemployment and inflation, money and banking, the issue of government deficits and the national debt, economic growth, and international trade and finance.
3 cr.
EC 117 Principles of Quantitative Economics (Formerly EC 207)
Prerequisite: MATH 133 or MATH 123 or equivalent. Not open to those who have taken EC 111 or EC 112 or EC 201 or EC 202. This course is a calculus-based introduction to economic principles, both macro and micro. All topics will be elucidated mathematically. Topics include characteristics of the American private enterprise economy; markets, the price system, and the allocation of resources, including the different market structures in American industry. The course will also cover national income accounting, macroeconomic equilibrium, and fiscal and monetary policy issues.
3 cr.
EC 190 Special Topics in Economics
Topics in economics that are not offered on a regular basis are examined. The course may be repeated for credit if the topic varies.
1-3 cr.
EC 215 Macroeconomics (Formerly EC 305)
Prerequisite: EC 202 or EC 112 or EC207 or EC 117 and MATH 111 or MATH 123 or MATH 133. This is a theoretical and applicational view of aggregative economics. A survey of Classical, Keynesian, and neo-Keynesian theory leads into a study of macroeconomics and economic policies, particularly in the United States. Emphasis is on current national economic goals and the macro dynamics of inflation, growth, investment, and consumption as well as the problem. Public policies to promote economic stability and growth are discussed in detail.
3 cr.
EC 216 Microeconomics (Formerly EC 306)
Prerequisite: EC 112 or EC 117 or EC 111 or EC 206 and MATH 111 or MATH 123 or MATH 133. This is an intermediate course in economics covering the theoretical bases used by economists in explaining the behavioral patterns of consumers, firms, and industries. Problems, readings, and discussions are directed to the logical development, understanding, and application of theoretical models and concepts rather than pure exposition of static analysis.
3 cr.
EC 219 American Economic History (Formerly EC 316)
Prerequisite: EC 112 or EC 106 or EC 117 or EC 202. This is a problem-oriented approach to American economic history. Specific problems studied in depth vary, but have included the economic experience of Black America, the agricultural problems of the post-Civil War years, Southern economic history, the rise of the industrial giants, and the causes and consequences of the Great Depression.
3 cr.
EC 274 Environmental Economics (Formerly EC 374)
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 101 or EC 117 and EC 201. This course examines the economic aspects of current environmental and natural resource issues. The problems of pollution control and resource management are examined from an economic perspective. Other topics may include the global population problem; energy dependence and the economy; the economics of recycling; and the impact of environmental policy on growth, jobs, and the quality of life. Offered in alternate years.
3 cr.
EC 290 Special Topics in Economics
Prerequisite: EC 117 or EC 207. Topics in economics that are not offered on a regular basis are examined. The course may be repeated for credit if the topic varies.
1-3 cr.
EC 311 Money and Banking
Prerequisite: EC 112 or EC 117, MATH 111, and EC 202 or equivalent. This is a study of the role of money, credit, and financial institutions in the U.S. economy. Topics include policies concerning depository institutions, the role of the Federal Reserve System, and monetary theory.
3 cr.
EC 315 Comparative Economic Systems
Prerequisite: EC 205 or EC 101. This is a study of capitalism and socialism including theoretical interpretations of these systems. Case studies include descriptions of the mixed capitalist economies of the United States and Western Europe and the transitional economies of the former Soviet Union, China, and Eastern Europe. Offered in alternate years.
3 cr.
EC 321 Economic Development
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 117 and EC 201. This is an analysis of the characteristics and causes of underdevelopment in poor nations and of programs designed to stimulate economic growth. Offered in alternate years.
3 cr.
EC 333-334 Independent Study in Economics
See “Independent Study”.
1-3 cr.
EC 340 The Economics of Sports
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 105 or EC 117 or EC 207 and EC 201. This course applies the tools of economic theory to the market for professional sport entertainment. The major professional sports leagues all exhibit several practices which are unparalleled in other U.S. industries. These practices, both in hiring athletes and selling the “entertainment product,” are analyzed. Government policies towards this unique market are also investigated.
3 cr.
EC 350 Economics of Arts and Entertainment
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 105 or EC 106 or EC 117 or EC 207 or EC 201. This course applies the tools of economic theory to an analysis of the arts and entertainment industry. Key learning outcomes focus on the nature of supply and demand for art and artistic services, the contribution of the arts and entertainment sector to the economy, the economic functions of artists, the role of the nonprofit sector, and the role of public policy in providing a basis for cultural activities and organizations.
3 cr.
EC 351 Economics and Government
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 117 and EC 201. This course is a critical examination of the role of governments in free enterprise economies. Topics include the history of governmental intervention in business, industry, and finance; major current economic problems; and the method and degree of government action proposed to resolve economic problems. Offered in alternate years.
3 cr.
EC 355 Public Finance
Prerequisite: EC 112 or EC 117 and EC 202. This course studies the effects of government expenditure, borrowing, and taxation upon resource allocation, national income, employment, and income distribution. Special emphasis is placed on the appropriate types of taxation and current and recent government budgetary choices. Offered in alternate years.
3 cr.
EC 361 Urban Economics
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 117 and EC 201. This course is a study of the economic aspects of the social and political problems of the modern American city. Offered in alternate years.
3 cr.
EC 371 International Monetary Economics
Prerequisite: EC 112 or EC 117 and EC 202. This is an analysis of the balance of payments and the foreign exchange market including the theory of payments adjustment and policies to attain domestic international balance. The course examines the roles of the dollar, other currencies, and the International Monetary Fund in the process of international monetary reform.
3 cr.
EC 372 International Trade
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 117 and EC 201. This course studies the theory and practice of international trade and investment. Topics include comparative advantage, determination of the pattern of trade, current problems of commercial policy and trade negotiations, the role of the multinational corporation, and the theory of economic integration with special reference to the European Union. Offered in alternate years.
3 cr.
EC 386 Econometrics
Prerequisite: EC 111 or EC 112 or EC 117; and MATH 112 or MATH 123 or MATH 133; and BIS 220 or MATH 120, or PSY 207 and EC 201. This course covers methods of detecting and means of remedying violations of the assumptions of classical regression analysis. While only economic models are discussed, the methodology is multidisciplinary in nature.
3 cr. Laboratory fee $25.
EC 390 Special Topics in Economics
Prerequisite: Varies according to nature of course. Topics offered depend upon student interest as well as particular interests of instructors. The course is offered as often as faculty time and student interest permit. Recent topics have included “The Economics of Work and Pay,” “The Economics of Election Issues,” “Women in the Economy,” and “Great Ideas in Economics.” May be repeated for credit if the topic differs.
1-3 cr.
EC 480-481 Internship in Economics
1-3 cr.
EC 490 Seminar: Issues in Contemporary Economics
Prerequisite: EC 112 or EC 202 or EC 117 plus six additional credit hours of 200 or 300 level economics. This course involves discussions of various topics of interest in economics. Each student prepares a research paper on a topic of choice, under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Majors in other programs are most welcome.
3 cr.