400

ECN 424 Income Inequality

Examines the determinants of incomes in market economies, including education, training, experience, hours worked, discrimination, inheritance, unions, and government transfers. Studies causes of change in the extent of inequality and social impacts of inequality. Analyzes government policies to reduce inequality, including anti-poverty policies.

3

Prerequisites

MTH 161, ECN 121 or permission of instructor.

ECN 425 Applied Economic Research

Teaches skills needed for applied economic research. Students complete an empirical research paper, one that is theory-based and supported by data analysis. To build their research skills, students learn to develop a research proposal, write a literature review, find relevant data, and analyze that data using econometrics, or simulation, among other methodologies. Economics capstone.

3

Prerequisites

ECN 310, ECN 319, ECN 320; Senior Status

ECN 426 Comparative Economics in a Transforming World Economy

Examines economies of the world from a theoretical and empirical perspective. Students will analyze how different national economic systems have evolved through time as changing economic ideas and practices spread across national boundaries in the past century. Features detailed analysis of variants of market capitalism and market socialism, including the economies of the US, Japan, Sweden, Russia and China.

3

Prerequisites

ECN 120, ECN 121 or permission of instructor.

ECN 429 Development Economics

Students will analyze how nearly half the world's population has come to live on $2 per day or less, as well what can be done in developing countries to try to lift and help people lift themselves out of extreme poverty. Includes an examination of the roles of education, income distribution, the rural and urban sectors, technology, investment, financial markets, foreign trade, domestic institutions, and international institutions.

3

Prerequisites

ECN 120, ECN 121

ECN 430 Psychology & Economics

Analyzes how departures from the classical assumptions of human behavior (perfect rationality, self-interest, etc.) affect economic decision-making with a focus on experimental economics and real-world problems such as natural resource management, fighting poverty, and the impact of “fair” wages.
3

Prerequisites

MTH 161; ECN 120 or ECN 121

ECN 431 Health Economics

Applies economic theory to the study of how best to promote health for all. Focuses on the decisions and institutions that influence the demand for and the production of health. Includes an evaluation of the roles of consumers, the environment, physicians, hospitals, insurers, and pharmaceutical companies. Evaluates government policy aimed at improving health, including the Affordable Care Act.
3

Prerequisites

ECN 121

ECN 440 International Economics

Examines how trade among nations takes place and why free trade may improve standard of living for all nations. Discusses payments among nations, i.e. the balance of payments and determination of currency values in the international markets. Considers the effects of trade barriers and domestic monetary and fiscal policies.

3

Prerequisites

ECN 120, ECN 121, MTH 161

ECN 490 Directed Study

Guided inquiry for superior students to pursue a particular subject area more intensively than course offerings permit. By special arrangement with economics faculty.

Variable

ECN 491 One Time Course Offering

In the semesters in which offered, varying subject matter as economics faculty deems appropriate for needs of the student in meeting the objectives of the undergraduate business program.

Variable

ECN 492 One Time Course Offering

In the semesters in which offered, varying subject matter as economics faculty deems appropriate for needs of the student in meeting the objectives of the undergraduate business program.

Variable

493 Research

Credit arranged. Course is graded A-F.
Variable

ECN 499 Senior Thesis

Research study or original work under the direction of a faculty mentor, leading to a scholarly thesis document with a public presentation of results. Requires approval of thesis director, department chair, dean, and the director of the honors program, when appropriate.

Variable

Prerequisites

Senior and 3.0 G.P.A. in the thesis area or good standing in the honors program.