Economics
Department Courses
Note:
Any course having an asterisk (*) denotes that the course satisfies
a GER
All
courses are 3 credit courses unless otherwise noted
ECO
100 Political Economy of Social Issues*
Cannot be used in the Economics major
This course emphasizes the impact of historical context, social and
cultural factors, and institutions on economic outcomes. In this course,
students use the political economy approach to analyze economic and
social issues such as gambling in Connecticut, collective bargaining
in baseball, building market economies in Eastern Europe, and environmental
protection.
ECO
200 Principles of Macroeconomics*
Study of the principles of economics designed to acquaint the student
with the organization and functioning of the American economic system.
Discussion of money and banking, national income, public finance,
and an analysis of income determination, and the use of monetary and
fiscal measures of stabilizing the economy.
ECO
201 Principles of Microeconomics*
Theoretical study of the business firm and consumers as economic decision-makers.
Discussion of the distribution of income, labor problems, international
trade, and comparative economic systems.
ECO
215 Statistics for Business and Economics
Note: Not open to Math majors. Not open for credit to students who
have passed MAT 315
A practical course in statistics with applications to economics, business,
and science. Emphasis placed on probability distributions, statistical
interference, correlation, and regression.
ECO
300 Mathematics for Economics
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
An introduction to matrix algebra and calculus, with applications
to economic models, including static (equilibrium) analysis, comparative
static analysis and optimization.
ECO
301 Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
Study of the market behavior of resource owners, producers and consumers
within the private enterprise system. Theories of demand, supply and
production, market models, the pricing of factors, welfare economics
and general equilibrium are covered.
ECO
302 Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
Detailed study of aggregate economic activity and its control. National
income accounting, income determination, consumption, investment,
economic growth and fluctuations, inflation, and stabilization policy.
ECO
305 Introduction to Econometrics
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200, ECO 201, ECO 215 AND ECO 300
An introduction to the statistical methods used to test and measure
relationships specified in economic models. Applications in business
included.
ECO
310 Contemporary Economic Problems and Issues
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
An in-depth but non-technical examination of some of the economic
problems and issues of the day. Minimum of any four topics will be
selected for discussion on the basis of student interest. Suggested
topics include: the farm problem, unemployment, inequality and poverty,
guaranteed annual income, population growth and economic well being,
inflation, the national debt, big business and monopoly control.
ECO
315 Government and Business
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
An examination of the various regulatory constraints imposed by government
intervention and analysis of their impact upon the structural characteristics
and market performance of the American economy.
ECO
320 The Developing Economies
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
A survey of theoretical and practical development economics covering
both external and internal aspects. Analysis of the current changes
in the LDC's , the agents of change, and problems of the processes
of change; focus on the leading issues of economics of change.
ECO
325 Money and Banking
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
Examination of the monetary and banking system and its relation to
the general economic system. The nature and functions of money, analysis
of the operation of the commercial banking system, the role of the
Federal Reserve System, and monetary policy are emphasized.
ECO
329 Political Economy of Labor Relations*
A study of the political, economic and cultural context of work. Specifics
include the impact of technology, public policy, immigration, and
forms of capital ownership on the nature of work and workers, the
historical development and current role of labor unions, and the role
of women in labor markets.
ECO
330 Labor Economics
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
An introductory course in labor economics. A study of wage determination
theories and an examination of recent empirical findings related to
the impact of race, sex, education, unions, training, etc. on earned
income.
ECO
335 Urban and Regional Economics
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
Economic analysis applied to urban and regional problems of redevelopment
with emphasis on analysis and techniques relevant to changing urban
form and function, regional public finance, housing and renewal, poverty
and race, transportation, and environmental problems.
ECO
340 Business Cycles and Forecasting
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200,ECO 201 AND ECO 215
Examination of major theories regarding the causes and effects of
various types of fluctuations in the level of economic activity of
advanced market economics. Study of the U.S. record of economic fluctuations
and growth, the techniques used to forecast business cycles, and the
public policies for stabilizing economic activity.
ECO
345 Industrial Organization and Development
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
The role of industry in economic development. The structure and behavior
of industries of an economy. The choice of industry, the choice of
technique, MNC's and transfer of technology. Allocation of investment
criteria, industrialization strategy.
ECO
350 International Economics
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
Analysis of theory and practice in international trade relationships.
Pure theory of trade; extensions, modifications, and applications
of trade model. Theory and effects of tariff and other trade barriers.
Economics of integration. Monetary theory of trade; balance of payments
and exchange rate systems. International monetary system; trade, developing
countries, multinational corporations, and other topics.
ECO
355 International Political Economy
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201; OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR
International relations examined from the political economy perspective,
a systematic study of the relationship between economic and political
behavior. Alternative approaches used to discuss various issues of
international politico-economic relations: the role of the multinational
corporations, international technology transfer, oil and the OPEC,
politics of commercial policy, international monetary order, less
developed countries and the New International Economic Order, etc.
ECO
360 Comparative Economic Systems
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
An investigation of the alternative ways of organizing the economic
life: capitalism, socialism, and their major variants. To discuss
methods and concepts to analyze the operation and performance of the
economic systems, both theoretically and empirically. Various aspects,
apart from the purely economic, are to be emphasized.
ECO
370 History of Economic Thought
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
Development of economic ideas examined as an evolutionary process
influenced by external social and intellectual movements. Implications
of the evolution of economic thought are evaluated in the light of
its impact on historical development.
ECO
375 Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics
PREREQUISITE: ECO 215
The basic concepts of management science in relation to decision making
and optimization, integrating theory with management and economic
applications and the use of microcomputers. Topics to be discussed
include linear programming, distribution models, network models, inventory
models, waiting lines, Markov chains, game theory and decision theory.
ECO
380 Public Finance
PREREQUISITES: ECO 200 AND ECO 201
Examination of taxation and public spending with emphasis upon the
allocative effects of taxes, the nature of government fiscal policy,
and the nature and problems of debt management.
ECO
479 Senior Economics Seminar
PREREQUISITES: OPEN TO SENIORS OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR
A capstone course open only to seniors majoring in Economics. Application
of theoretical knowledge and quantitative tools to various substantive
economic problems and current issues, such as the problems of poverty,
trade policy, health care system, women at work, development and environment,
foreign investment in the U.S.A. etc. Each time selected theme(s)
or topic(s) will be exhaustively investigated for theoretical and
policy implications.
ECO
480 Independent Study
PREREQUISITES: OPEN ONLY TO ADVANCED MAJORS IN ECONOMICS AND CONSENT
OF INSTRUCTOR REQUIRED
Independent research under the guidance of a faculty member on an
approved, specified topic. A written project is required.
ECO
490 Internship in Economics *6 CREDITS*
PREREQUISITE: OPEN ONLY TO SENIORS BY APPLICATION
NOTE: May not be applied to ECO major
Intensive field work experience in economics and business administration.
Assignments in private, nonprofit and public institutions in areas
such as manufacturing, retailing, finance, accounting, personnel or
government services. Students should schedule a minimum of two days
per week.
ECO
492 Departmental Internship
PREREQUISITE: CONSENT OF DEPARTMENT FACULTY
Opportunity for economics majors to teach college-level economics
under the direct supervision of an economics professor.
