Courses

For a full list of courses (including those that have not been offered in recent semesters) see the undergraduate bulletin.

ECO 11 Introduction to Macroeconomics (WAC and non-WAC)
Economic concepts governing society, business organization, government finance, business fluctuations, fiscal and monetary policies.
There is a WAC section taught in the spring
Every semester, 3 credits

ECO 12 Introduction to Microeconomics (WAC and non-WAC)
Theories of demand and supply, theory of the firm, resource allocation, international trade, economic growth and development.
There is a WAC section taught in the spring.
Every semester, 3 credits

ECO 21 Money and Banking
Description and analysis of the monetary and credit systems, appraisal of the contribution of Federal Reserve policy to a program of economic stabilization.
Same as Finance 2
Prerequisite: ECO 5 (offered occasionally) or ECO 11
Every semester, 3 credits

ECO 25 Economic Geography
A study of the real differentiation of economic activities over the surface of the earth, and the physical and human environmental factors affecting the geographical pattern of economic activity.
Same as GGR 25
Every semester, 3 credits

ECO 41 International Economics
Appraisal of arguments for and against free trade, analysis of balance of payments, foreign exchange, and world development problems.
Prerequisite: ECO 12
Fall, 3 credits

ECO 42 Economics of Underdeveloped Countries
Theories of economic development and comparative and analytical examination of factors that explain growth of various countries and regions.
Prerequisite: ECO 12
Spring, 3 credits

ECO 43 The Japanese Economy
Japan is the third largest economy in the world; the second most important U.S. trade partner; a major investor in the U.S. economy. What is behind Japan's strength? What can the U.S. learn? What are the prospects? These are some of the questions to be addressed in this course.
Prerequisite: ECO 12
On occasion, 3 credits

ECO 54 History of Economic Thought (WAC)
Contributions of leading economists and relevance of their theories to later periods. Comparison of systems of economic thought and consideration of application to current problems
Spring, 3 credits

ECO 55 American Economic History
This course is a descriptive and analytical account of economic growth of the United States and institutional and organizational changes that gave rise to rapid growth in living standards.
On occasion, 3 credits

ECO 61 Microeconomic Analysis
Theory of cost, demand, price, market structures, and factor payments, with special emphasis on the economics of the firm.
Prerequisite: ECO 12
Every semester, 3 credits.

ECO 62 Macroeconomic Analysis
Income and employment theory, dealing with the dynamics of aggregate consumption, investment, and government spending in their relationship to stability and growth.
Prerequisite: ECO 11
Every semester, 3 credits

ECO 72 Statistics
Topics covered include descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory and probability distributions, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing, introduction to analysis of variance, correlation, regression, and index numbers.
Every semester, 3 credits

ECO 75 Game Theory: Individual Choices and Group Outcomes
If the well-being of each member of some group depends not only on his/her own choices but also on the choices of the other members of the group, then this group is said to be "playing a game". Game Theory attempts to predict the choices of rational game players and the consequent group outcome. Game Theory also seeks to judge the quality of this group outcome. For instance, it asks whether the rational pursuit of self-interest can be self-defeating.
Although the first book devoted to Game Theory--Theory of Games and Economic Behavior by John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern--was published only in 1943, Game Theory has already become a major source of analytical concepts and techniques for disciplines such as politics, international relations, economics, business and even biology.
This course weaves familiar, real-world examples of the use of strategy into more general analyses of strategies in various game-like situations. Students taking this course should expect to acquire superior strategic skills as well as a deeper understanding of the emergence and functioning of social institutions.
Topic Outline: Sequential and simultaneous move games, zero-sum and non-zero-sum games, one-shot and repeated games, repeated games with the same opponents and with changing opponents, complete and incomplete information games, games with fixed rules and games with manipulable rules, games with and without enforceable cooperation, evolutionary games, collective action games, the strategic use of threats, voting behavior, bidding strategy and auction design, bargaining, markets and competition.
Prerequisite: Ability to handle high school algebra, while not essential, will be helpful.
Spring, 3 credits

ECO 303 Introductory Macroeconomics--Honors Core
Topics include economic institutions, national income and product, money and banking and principles of economic growth. Students will apply this fundamental background both to contemporary America and to an economic system of another time and/or place. Open to students in the Honors program.
May be used to fulfill ECO 11 course requirement.
Fall, 3 credits

ECO 304 Introductory Microeconomics--Honors Core
This course will deal with the theory of supply and demand, theory of the firm, resource allocation, and international trade. Students will study the application of these concepts to contemporary America and to an economic system of another time and/or place. Open to students in the Honors Program.
May be used to fulfill ECO 12 course requirement.
Spring, 3 credits