Economics

Courses

Courses with * fulfill
General Education requirements

(A-AP) = Arts - Applied

(A-TH) = Arts -
Theoretical/Historical

(A-AR) = Analytical -
Abstract Reasoning

(A-QR) = Analytical -
Quantitative Reasoning

(CP) = Comparative Practices

(D-D) = Diversity - Domestic

(D-I) = Diversity - International

(D-L) = Diversity - Language

(ES) = Earlham Seminar

(IP) = Interpretive Practices

(SI) = Scientific Inquiry

(W) = Wellness

(AY) = Offered in Alternative Year

*ECON 101 INTRODUCTION TO
MACROECONOMICS: MACRO
AND GLOBALIZATION (4 credits)
An introduction to mainstream, political, economic and ethical perspectives of macro economic processes at the domestic and global level. Topics include aggregate economic measures, income determination, macro policy, international trade and finance, and international economic organizations like the World Bank, IMF, and WTO. Also listed as PAGS 101. (A-AR)

*ECON 103 INTRODUCTION TO
MICROECONOMICS: MICRO AND
INSTITUTIONS (4 credits)
An introduction to the theory of individual economic behavior, markets and the microeconomic analysis of institutions. Topics include the theory of the consumer, the theory of the firm, market structures, factor markets, income distribution, market failures and the role of governments in microeconomic affairs. (A-AR)

*ECON 150 EARLHAM SEMINAR (4 credits)
Offered for first-year students. Topics vary. (ES)

ECON 201 SURVEY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT (2 credits)
Introduces students to the rich intellectual traditions in Economics by examining important schools of thought and their protagonists. Emphasizes the breadth of the field as a framework for thinking in the discipline. Examines important issues on the cutting edge of economic thought and research today and traces their roots/routes.

ECON 204 QUANTITATIVE FOUNDATIONS FOR ECONOMICS (4 credits)
Provides a basis for understanding analytical work in economics. The "math" portion includes series, topics in calculus including differentiation, integration, the basics of differential equations and the basics of modeling in economics. The "statistical" portion includes discrete and continuous probability distribution functions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and regression analysis. Helps students gain familiarity in using some popular and commonly used computer/statistical packages. Co-requisite: ECON 303.

ECON 301 INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS (4 credits)
An examination of the determinants of national income, employment and the price level. Centers on the construction and use of models of the economy, principally the Classical and Keynesian models of the macro economy. Includes the theory and practice of fiscal policy, central banking, monetary policy, current policy questions, and discusses issues of the longer run growth of the economy. Prerequisites: ECON 101 and 204. ECON 103 is strongly recommended.

ECON 303 INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS (4 credits)
Deals primarily with the theory of the consumer, the theory of the firm, different market structures, uncertainty, externalities and issues related to public policy and income distribution. Introduces recent developments in microeconomic theorizing. Co-requisite: ECON 204.

ECON 304 GAME THEORY (2 credits)
Introduces the field of game theory and develops some basic concepts, useful in understanding strategic interactions. Presents concepts in cooperative and non-cooperative game theory. Examples from different fields in the social sciences introduce concepts used in game theory. Prerequisite: ECON 303. (AY)

ECON 305 ECONOMETRICS (2 credits)
Introduces the basics of econometric analysis. Topics include regression analysis, muticollinearity, heteroskedacity and autocorrelation. Emphasizes the applied aspects of econometrics through the use of standard computer packages.
Prerequisite: ECON 204. (AY)

ECON 310 HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT (4 credits)
Examines economic ideas from the Mercantilists (16th century) to the early development of the Neo-Classical School (late 19th and early 20th centuries). Emphasizes issues related to the development of economic thought in the areas of value, distribution and international trade. Prerequisites: ECON 101 and 103.

ECON 314 COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS (2 credits)
An analysis and critical appraisal of different national systems of economic organization. Focuses on the variety of forms of capitalism around the world; examines non-capitalist economic arrangements in the past, the present and as possibilities for the future. Prerequisite: ECON 101 or 103.

ECON 315 MARXISM (4 credits)
An examination of Marxist intellectual traditions with heavy emphasis on the writings of Marx. Examines Marx's critique of capitalism and alienation in his early writing to his more formal analysis of capitalism in his work Capital. Looks at how later Marxists and critics of capitalism have used, criticized and reworked elements of the Marxian analysis to continue developing contemporary conceptions of a non-capitalist or classless society. Prerequisite: ECON 101 or 103. Also listed as PHIL 315. (AY)

ECON 320 ECONOMIC HISTORY (2 credits)
A study of the evolution of economies through an examination of major economic issues, trends and the ideas advanced to interpret them. Topics include the origins of capitalism, transition debates, class struggles, changes in institutions and the origin and transformation of economic policies.

ECON 330 MONEY AND CAPITAL MARKETS (4 credits)
An examination of the structure and operations of the commercial banking system and other financial intermediaries including the stock market and markets for other financial assets, theories of predicting the behavior of stock prices, principles of portfolio selection, and the impact of monetary policy and regulatory agencies on financial markets. Prerequisite: ECON 101 or 103. (AY)

ECON 333 MANAGERIAL FINANCE (2 credits)
Examines the principles governing the acquisition and management of the financial resources of the firm. Special emphasis on determining the cost of capital, optimal capital budgets and capital structure, and dividend policy of the corporation. Prerequisites: ECON 101 and 303.

ECON 340 INTERNATIONAL TRADE (4 credits)
Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and real world applications, attempts to develop a broad understanding of micro and macro issues in the area of international economics. Deals with issues related to the logic and critique of free trade, tariffs and quotas, exchange rate determination, balance of payments, open economy macro policy, stabilization policy and the role of international institutions in international trade. Prerequisite: ECON 101. ECON 103 is strongly recommended. (AY)

ECON 341 LABOR ECONOMICS (4 credits)
An examination of labor, both in the formal labor market, and more generally as human productive activity. Topics include the theories of wage determination, the development and impact of trade unions, and analysis of major legal and economic issues relating to the structure and functioning of labor markets. Special attention to issues of equity, relationship and discrimination in formal labor markets and the household. Prerequisite: ECON 103. ECON 101 is strongly recommended. (AY)

ECON 342 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)
Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and case studies, presents an overview of the economics of underdeveloped economies. Topics include approaches to and theories of underdevelopment, issues related to growth and redistribution, the rural and agricultural sector, migration and the urban sector, trade, population, the environment and issues related to governance. Prerequisites: ECON 101 and 103. (AY)

ECON 343 ECONOMICS OF THE ENVIRONMENT (4 credits)
An examination of the role that economic analysis plays in understanding the environment and the policy frameworks that economics offers in the area of environmental regulation. Topics include an analysis of market failures, the cost-benefit framework and strategies related to environmental policy. A number of applications related to domestic and international environmental issues discussed. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Also listed as ENPR 343. (AY)

ECON 344 ECONOMICS OF THE STATE (2 credits)
Examines the role of the state in the context of developed economies. Typically examines the role of government taxation, the provision of public goods and the regulation of externalities. Also looks more broadly at the way that the state creates a context for the market and strives to promote the general welfare. Emphasis placed on specific government policies such as welfare reform, social security policy or environmental policy. Prerequisite: ECON 101 or 103.

*ECON 345 URBAN POLITICAL ECONOMY (4 credits)
A look at the political and economic processes that shape the uses of urban space. Attention to the rise of suburbanization in the United States and the problems of urban poverty, race and class segregation associated with it. Examines historical analysis and issues relating to the "revitalization" of older urban centers. Prerequisite: ECON 101 or 103. Also listed as PAGS 345. (D-D)

ECON 481 INTERNSHIPS, FIELD STUDIES AND OTHER FIELD EXPERIENCES
(1-3 credits)

ECON 484 FORD/KNIGHT RESEARCH PROJECT (1-4 credits)
Collaborative research with faculty funded by the Ford/Knight Program.

ECON 485 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
Investigation of a specific topic conceived and planned by the student in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Culminates in a comprehensive report prepared in the style of a thesis or paper.

ECON 486 SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE I: WRITING (2 credits)
Students demonstrate their ability to research a topic of their choice in depth. Thesis paper required at the end of the semester. To be completed in the fall of the Senior year.

ECON 488 SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE II: READING (2 credits)
Integrates material studied in various courses by participating in discussions of important texts and current events, and by undertaking a thorough analysis of the issues. To be completed in the spring of the Senior year.