Course Descriptions

Econ 101: Principles of Microeconomics

Introduction to the theory of markets, including consumer and producer choice and how they interact to determine prices and resource allocations. Applications include price controls, production, market structures, environmental economics, governmental regulation of the economy, labor and capital markets, and international exchange.

Prerequisites: None

Econ 112: Principles of Macroeconomics

Covers current debates on the workings of the aggregate economy, including unemployment, inflation, economic growth, the national debt, financial markets, money and the banking system, and international trade.

Prerequisites: Economics 101

Econ 190S: Freshman Seminar

Open only to students with freshman standing.

Prerequisites: Topics and prerequisites vary; please consult Course Atlas.

Econ 201: Intermediate Microeconomics

Theories of the household and of the business firm and their implications for the demand and supply of final products and productive factors and for the distribution of income.

Prerequisites: Econ 101; Mathematics 111 or 119

Econ 212: Intermediate Macroeconomics

Determination of national income, employment, and the price level; business fluctuations; and international monetary issues.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112; Mathematics 111 or 119

Econ 215: Stocks, Bonds, and Financial Markets

Introduction to the role of various financial markets in an economy. Topics include the stock market, bonds, futures, options, and other derivative assets.

Prerequisites: Econ 101

Econ 220:Data Science for Economists

Methods of collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of economic data; measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, regression analysis.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and Mathematics 111, or consent of the instructor

Econ 231: Introduction to Global Trade and Finance

An introduction to international trade, capital flows, and finance. Topics include the impact of public policy decisions concerning protectionism, balance of payments, and foreign exchange markets on economic activities.

Prerequisites: Econ 101

Econ 290: Sophomore Seminar in Economics

Scheduled as needed. Variable credit; maximum credit, eight hours. An introduction to selected topics in economics. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and/or 112 or consent of instructor

Econ 302: Development of Economic Thought

This course discusses the development of economic doctrine and analysis from before capitalism to the modern period. Reading and discussion of historical texts are used to inform current economic debates.

Pre-requisites: Econ 101 and Econ 112

Econ 305: Economics of Life

This course applies microeconomic principles to crime, sports, family, and sexuality. In each subject area, we will discuss basic facts and trends, key theoretical and empirical economic studies, and the role of public policy. The purpose of this course is not only to help students learn about the subject areas, but also to help them develop analytical skills through writing and discussion. This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Prerequisites: Econ101

Econ 309: Contemporary Economic Issues

Economic analysis and public policy. Discussion of selected issues such as the economics of discrimination, environment, medical care, cultural arts, education, and social responsibility of business. This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Prerequisites: Econ 101

Econ 310: Experimental Economics

This course covers the new and growing field of experimental economics. The term experimental economics refers to the use of the laboratory for the purpose of studying specific research questions in economics. Experiments in economics are similar in spirit to those in psychology, physics, chemistry, or biology.

Prerequisites : Econ 101

Econ 312: Economics of Digital Assets

The scale of digital asset activity has increased significantly in recent years.  Although interconnections with the traditional financial and economic systems are relatively limited, they could grow rapidly.  This course introduces students to emerging technologies associated with decentralized systems, beginning with the principles of blockchain technology and smart contracts. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies underpin the growing area of decentralized finance (DeFi) and how it contrasts sharply with traditional finance. The course highlights decentralized systems' unique advantages and challenges through detailed examinations of applications such as decentralized exchanges, stablecoins, decentralized autonomous organizations, and oracles.  The course will end with an introduction to governance and regulatory frameworks in the blockchain ecosystem, assessing their effectiveness and potential vulnerabilities. By engaging with these topics, students will understand the economic principles at play within decentralized systems and be able to critically assess their broader implications for life in the digital age.

Prerequisites:  Econ 101 and Econ 112

Econ 315: Economics and Psychology

This course is intended to provide an introduction to the application of psychological insights into economic models of behavior. This course will discuss the limitations of traditional economic models and will present models that are psychologically more realistic.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112, or consent of instructor

Econ 320: Econometrics

Introduction to construction and testing of econometric models, analysis and critique of general linear regression models, simultaneous equations models, a computer program for regression analysis, and applications.

Prerequisites: Econ 101, 112, and 220, or consent of the instructor

Econ 330: Collective Bargaining and Public Policy

Contemporary public policy toward collective bargaining. The process of collective bargaining and administration of labor agreements, including organizing, grievance procedures, and arbitration.

Prerequisites: Econ 101

Econ 333: Financial Economics

This course introduces the workings of financial markets and institutions. We survey how stock and bond markets work, including initial public offerings and the organization and regulation of securities markets. We introduce several widely-used types of financial assets — stocks, bonds, foreign exchange, asset-backed securities, and derivatives — their markets, and the roles of investment banks, security brokers, hedge funds, and venture capital firms. We will learn about financial cycles, including the most recent financial crisis, as well as the changing regulation and technology of financial markets over time.

Prerequisites: Econ 112, 201, and 220

Econ 341: Business and Government

Government implementation, regulation, and control of business enterprises, excluding banks and insurance companies.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112, or consent of the instructor

Econ 350: Economics of Systemic Racism

Investigate the limitations behind traditional approaches to racial discrimination in economics; explore the history of anti-Black racism in the US and its economic consequences, and consider how understanding of systemic racism could lead to pragmatic policy solutions to racial inequities.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 or ECON_OX 101 or FIN 201 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.

Econ 355: Political Economy of the American South (same as History 355)

Economic history of the American South from the colonial era to the present. Topics include the development of the antebellum economy, Reconstruction, and the twentieth-century resurgence of the Southern economy. This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112

Econ 356: Development of the Modern U.S. Economy (same as History 356)

Examines the post-1800 development of industrial America. Topics covered include the rise of manufacturing, banking, the labor movement, agriculture, and foreign trade. Special attention is paid to the role of the government sector in the economy.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112

Econ 362: Economic Development

Introduction to the theory of economic growth. The nature of economic development; factors influencing the capital formation and technological advances; the role of government in promoting development; the relationship of international trade to growth; international economic policies.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112

Econ 363: Political Economy of China

This course covers the Economic and Political institutions in China. A brief history of the political systems and financial institutions and how they have evolved will be presented in the beginning. Various economic reforms within the past 66 years and their impacts on standard of living within China and its global relationship are then examined. The course also discusses various economic and political indicators in China: what they mean, how they have changed in recent years, how they are expected to change in the future. This is a "must take" course for anyone interested in having a better understanding of Chinese politics and economics.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112

Econ 364: Latin American Economics

Analysis of the evolution of economic development and underdevelopment in Latin America. Application of development paradigms to country-specific examples.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112

Econ 365: Environmental Economics and Policy

Introduction to the economics of natural resources and the environment. The course will focus on the major resource and environmental problems and their possible solutions. It will also discuss the theory of exhaustible and renewable resources.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 

Econ 366: Development Issues for Africa

This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore issues in economic development viewed from the perspective of sub-Saharan Africa from the impact of slavery and colonialism to the modern era of globalization. This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112, or consent of instructor

Econ 371: Health Economics

An introduction to the application of the theories and principles of microeconomics to issues in healthcare. Increased understanding of microeconomic theory and the basic structure of healthcare delivery and healthcare financing in the United States and other countries. This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Prerequisites: Econ 101

Econ 372: Health Care Markets

This course examines the role of the government in health and health insurance. We will examine the theoretical reasons for government intervention in health and health insurance, the related empirical evidence, how the government has intervened, and the effects. This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Prerequisites: Econ 101

ECON 373: Economics of Global Healthcare

This course uses quantitative methods (graphical analysis, algebra, data analysis) to examine economic questions related to health, disease, in both developed and developing countries from the standpoint of applied economics.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 or ECON_OX 101 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.

Econ 385: Special Topics in Economics

Econ 385 is a non-seminar topics course. Content will vary depending on the topic. Possible topics include the political economy of the Middle East, economics of crime, social security financial problems, the economics of aging, and other topics as interest arises.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112, or consent of instructor

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 390R: Junior Seminar in Economics

Scheduled as needed. Variable credit; maximum credit is eight hours. An in-depth examination of selected topics in economics. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies. This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement.

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112, or consent of the instructor

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 391: Economics in Britain Seminar Abroad

The study of Britain's contribution to the understanding of Economics, and its own economic system through organized talks, site visits, career and networking opportunities in London, England.

Enrollment Requirements: (Econ 101 or ECON_OX 101) and (Econ 112 or ECON_OX 112) or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisites.

Econ 394: Washington Economic Policy Semester

Intensive examination of the policy-making process in Washington, particularly as it relates to economic policy. Students must apply early in the semester preceding the one in which they intend to participate.

Washington Economic Policy Semester

Prerequisites: Nomination by department

Credit: Up to sixteen semester hours

Econ 397R: Directed Reading in Economics

1-3 credit hours. For approval, a topic must be selected that is not included in a course to be offered before the student would normally graduate. A faculty advisor from among the full-time faculty must agree to supervise the study program and a written description of the program must be submitted to and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the semester preceding the one in which the student intends to participate.

Directed Study Form

Prerequisites: Econ 101 and 112, or consent of the instructor

This course satisfies an economics elective requirement (must be for 3 or more credits) but no more than 2 of the 4 elective requirements can be fulfilled with directed study courses. 

The completed and signed form should be submitted to our Undergraduate Program Coordinator  in the semester preceding the one you intend to participate.

Econ 400: Managerial Economics

Applies economic analysis and methods to business problems, treating at elementary level linear programming, input/output analysis, and game theory. Traditional topics in managerial economics, such as cost and demand analysis, capital budgeting, and cost-benefit analysis.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 and 212 or equivalent

Econ 405: Industrial Organization

The competitiveness of markets related to observable firm and product characteristics. Market competition related to measures of performance, such as profitability, R&D spending, advertising, and growth. Applications to antitrust law.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 and either Economics 220 or consent of the instructor

Econ 410: Topics in Macroeconomics

The course covers the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics, the theoretical and empirical analysis of general equilibrium, and optimal monetary and fiscal policies.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 and 212

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 411: Money and Banking

Economics of money, credit, and banking with emphasis on factors influencing the quantity of money and effects on employment, output, and prices. Economic analysis of financial markets, financial institutions, monetary policy, and inflation.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 and 212

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 415: Behavioral Economics and Finance

This course covers recent advances in the field of behavioral finance and economics, including quasi-experiments and tests of market efficiency, bounded rationality and household behavior, limits of arbitrage, disagreement and asset pricing, bubbles and crashes, social interactions and infodemiology, and implications of market inefficiency for corporate investment and behavior.

Prerequisites: Econ 101, 112, and 201

Econ 421: Microeconomic Data Analytics

Various methodological extensions of the simple linear regression model geared to address discreteness, nonlinearities, heterogeneity, natural experiments, and repeated sampling usually found in microeconomic data.

Prerequisites: Econ 320 or consent of the instructor

Econ 422: Economic Forecasting

Introduction to the basic methods of economic forecasting, seasonality, regression analysis, Box-Jenkins methods, and applications.

Prerequisites: Econ 101, 112, 220, 320, or consent of the instructor

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 423: Financial Econometrics

This course covers a range of topics in financial and time series econometrics. It provides an introduction to the properties of nancial asset returns, stationary and nonstationary time series models, conditional variance models and a review of estimation and inference methods in econometrics. It also discusses a number of applications that include predictive and forward premium regressions, yield curve modeling, estimation of term structure models of interest rates, analysis of commodity price dynamics, value-at-risk, asset pricing models etc. The course requires a prior background in probability theory and econometrics. The homework assignments will contain both analytical and applied problems. The empirical part of the assignments will expose the students to various nancial applications of the econometric techniques discussed in class as well as replication of empirical results in some recent journal articles.

Prerequisites: Econ 101, 112, and 320

Econ 425: Mathematical Economics (same as Mathematics 425)

Introduction to the use of calculus in economic analysis, problems of comparative statistics and optimization theory, and consideration of the mathematical techniques used in game theory.

Prerequisites: Econ 201, 212, Mathematics 211, or consent of the instructor

Econ 430: The Economics of Labor Markets

Describes and analyzes the functioning of labor markets, the supply and demand for labor, and the determination of wages and employment. The effects of unions, institutions, and discrimination on labor markets are also considered.

Prerequisites: Econ 201

Econ 431: International Trade

Theory of comparative advantage, the impact of trade on welfare and income distribution, economic analysis of trade barriers, and the analysis of the international movement of labor and capital.

Prerequisites: Econ 201

Econ 432: International Finance

Analysis of the international financial system and its effect on macroeconomic policies. Determination of exchange rates and their impact on the trade balance. International monetary institutions and proposals for reform.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 and 212

Econ 433: Advanced Financial Markets

This course provides an in-depth, technical study of financial markets and investments. We study quantitative measures of risk. returns, volatility, and liquidity.  We develop the capital asset pricing model and its empirical implications and analyze various levels and indicators of market performance.

Prerequisites: Econ 112, 201, and 220

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 434: Public Finance

Principles of government finance at the national, state, and local levels. Effects of taxes, public debt policy, and government expenditures on both individual citizens and the economy as a whole.

Prerequisites: Econ 112 and 201, or consent of the instructor

Econ 440: The Economics of Regulation

Economic rationale of regulation; traditional regulation of monopoly and recent advances in regulatory techniques; regulation of structurally-competitive industries and occupations; environment, safety, and health regulation; and current issues in regulation — protectionism, rent-seeking, deregulation, and benefit-cost analysis.

Prerequisites: Econ 201

Econ 442: Law and Economics

Economic analysis of property rights, contracts, torts, and other aspects of the legal system. Legal rules are viewed as mechanisms for allocating resources and the efficiency of alternative legal rights is analyzed.

Prerequisites: Econ 201

Econ 443: Public Choice

Economic analysis of political decision-making and collective action. Surveys theories of aggregating individual preferences through various property-rights and organizational structures to produce collective-choice equilibria and disequilibria, rent seeking, and constitutional construction.

Prerequisites: Econ 201

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 445: Urban Economics

The spatial structure of urban real estate and housing markets, government housing and land-use controls, problems of urban transportation and environmental quality, and local taxation and public expenditure.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 or consent of instructor

This course satisfies the continuing writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 446: Housing and Mortgage Markets

The spatial structure of urban real estate and housing markets; government housing and land-use controls; problems of urban transportation and environmental quality; local taxation and public expenditure.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 or consent of instructor

Econ 449: Economics Internship

The course is taken for two credit hours on a S/U basis. Economics majors need to secure permission from their economics advisers and economics minors need to obtain permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 or 212, and 220. Open to economics majors and minors only. Permission required

Econ 451: The Economics of Discrimination

This course showcases the tools of economics in conceptualizing, understanding, and fighting against gender and racial discrimination and their effects in institutions, artificial intelligence (AI), and the economy as a whole.  Building on a historical foundation, the course examines the advantages and limitations of how economists have studied discrimination, from taste-based and statistical discrimination to recent conceptions of systemic discrimination.  It then examines at length the impact of racial inequality on universities, the labor market, and the economy as a whole.  This includes evidence on the effects of affirmative action and the mechanisms through which diversity improves the quality of institutions.  The course will emphasize a critical examination of the implications of AI in discrimination, including both conceptual issues with algorithmic fairness and substantive applications in criminal justice and healthcare.  Students will learn how to interpret and use scholarly evidence to debate important policy issues relevant to discrimination in a variety of contexts.

Prerequisite: Econ 220

Econ 455: Grant Writing: Theory and Practice

Introduction to the elements of grant writing, both in theory and practice. The selection of a topic, matching topics with funding sources, and searching grant postings for selection of sponsored research topics are emphasized. Students complete draft proposals possibly resulting in real grant proposals. Students will be encouraged to prepare a grant proposal, in coordination with the faculty instructor, and submit it to funding agencies.

Prerequisites: Econ 201, 212, and 320 (or 422)

Econ 465: Resource and Environmental Economics

The theory of resource and environmental economics and its application to analyzing real-world policy issues, the economics of exhaustible and renewable resources, and discussion of how economic approaches can be used to control externalities and pollution.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 or consent of instructor

Econ 470: Research in Health Economics and Policy (same as Health 470)

This is a capstone course that combines health economics and human health content with data science. The course is therefore heavily applied in nature. You will complete an empirical research project using raw data and employ econometric methods to analyze a research question relevant to contemporary health care issues and/or health policy. You will also present your final work to the class. The content of the course is split into three general areas: 1) Data management in the real world; 2) Health policy and health care institutions; and 3) Empirical methods in program evaluation and causal inference.

Prerequisites: Econ 320 and at least one of the following courses: Health 370, Econ 371, or Econ 372

Economics 480: Computing Methods in Economics (Same as Computer Science 480)

This course is meant to introduce students to the usage of advanced Computer Science techniques for the Economic analysis of observational data. The course is divided into three main modules covering multiprocessing programming for economic policy simulation and Monte Carlo, web scraping for sentiment analysis in causal inference, and network data and social interaction models.

Pre-requisites: Econ 320 and CS 334

Econ 481: Neuroeconomics

Introduction to the field of neuroeconomics. Upon completion of the course, students will have a basic understanding of the tools used to study the neurobiology of decision-making.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 and 212, or NBB 301 and 302, or consent of instructor

This course fulfills the General Education Requirement in SNT area.

Econ 485: Advanced Topics in Economics

Econ 485 is a non-seminar advanced topics course. Content will vary depending on topic.

Prerequisites: Econ 201, 212, and 220, or consent of instructor

This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement when offered as a writing-intensive course.

Econ 487: Game Theory and Economic Activity

Developing a conceptual framework for understanding games played in business and in life. The ultimate goal of this course is to enhance the students' ability to think strategically in interactive situations.

Prerequisites: Econ 201 and 212

Econ 490R: Advanced Seminar in Economics

Scheduled as needed. Variable credit; maximum credit, eight hours.

Preparation of exercises and reports, based on current problems of economic policy; requires the use of interpretation and analysis previously acquired in other economics and allied courses. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.

Prerequisites: Economics majors who have completed all specifically required courses for the major, or consent of the instructor

Econ 495A: Honors Seminar

For seniors majoring in economics who have exhibited exceptional interest and competence in their field. Significant economic issues selected by the department each year and not covered in the regular curriculum; topics in theory, including areas of controversy; significant books; and faculty research topics. This course is 4 credit hours.

Prerequisites: By invitation only. Econ 201, 212, 220, 320 required. 

Econ 495BW: Honors Research

Preparation of the Honors research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Students meet periodically to discuss their projects with other Honors candidates and faculty members.

Prerequisites: By invitation only. Econ 201, 212, 220, 320 required. This course will fulfill a continuing writing requirement.

Econ 496R (or 496RW): Tutorial in Economics

Directed intensive study using intermediate theory on a topic not covered in a course to be offered before a student would normally graduate. Students must receive departmental permission in the semester preceding the one in which the student intends to participate. 

Directed Study Form

Prerequisites: Econ 201 or 212

This course satisfies an economics elective requirement (must be for 3 or more credits) but no more than 2 of the 4 elective requirements can be fulfilled with directed study courses.

This course satisfies the continuing writing requirement – Econ 496RW (must be for 4 or more credits).

Econ 499R (or 499RW): Undergraduate Research in Economics

Students will learn the craft of research in economics. Coursework will consist of synthesis of literature; collection, collation, cleaning of data; data analysis, contributing to manuscript preparation, and/or other work related to the sustaining of an academic research project.

Enrollment Requirements: (Econ 220 or ECON_OX 220) and [(Econ 201 or ECON_OX 201) or (Econ 212 or ECON_OX 212)] or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.

The completed and signed form should be submitted to our Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the semester preceding the one you intend to participate.