You are in the official 2003-2004 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Economics
COURSES
Economics (ECON)
25. Introduction to Economics (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Survey of the development of
economic ideas and theories in the context of economic history.
Analysis of major economic thinkers. Introduction to contemporary
economic issues and policy controversies. Does not count toward
the major in economics. G.E. Breadth D3.
40. Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Introduction to microeconomic
theories of demand, production, and income distribution; price
determination and resource allocation, under alternative forms
of market organization; government regulation of economic activity;
applied economic analysis and policy formation in selected topic
areas. G.E. Breadth D3. (CAN ECON 4)
50. Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Economic theories of the determination
of income, output, employment, and prices in the economy as a
whole; business cycles, fiscal and monetary policies; economic
growth and development; international trade; and comparative economic
systems. G.E. Breadth D3. (CAN ECON 2)
100A. Economic Theory: Microeconomic Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Price mechanism and resource allocation
under conditions of pure competition, monopolistic competition,
oligopoly; theories of consumer's choice, cost, production, income
distribution; nature of economic generalizations.
100B. Economic Theory: Macroeconomic Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. An examination of classical, Keynesian
and post- Keynesian theories of the determination of the levels
of income, output, and employment; the scientific and ideological
implications of Keynesian thought; and the theoretical foundations
of contemporary monetary and fiscal policies.
101. History of Economic Thought (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Evolution of economics as a science;
doctrines of different schools of thought -- Mercantilists, Physiocrats,
Historical School, Classical Economists; contributions of outstanding
economists.
102W. Explorations in Economic Literature (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; satisfactory completion (C
or better) of the ENGL 1 graduation requirement; upper-division
standing. An investigation into important economic ideas and issues
through selected readings of either contemporary literature or
classics in the history of economic thought or both. The class
is conducted as a seminar with emphasis on student contributions.
This course meets the upper-division writing skills requirement
for graduation.
103. Economics of Inflation, Unemployment, and Growth (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 50. A theoretical and empirical analysis of
the various types of inflation and unemployment in the United
States economy.
105. Marxian Economic Theory (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Marxian economic theory and its relevance
for modern economic theory and analysis; Marx's value, production,
and distribution theory; modern developments of Marxian models.
107. Institutional Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Study of the literature of American
institutionalism, e.g., Veblen, Commons. Systematic study of the
process of institutional adjustments; interplay of ceremonial
and technological aspects of economic activity; application of
institutionalist theory to specific fields in economics.
109. Principles of Political Economy (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50 or permission of instructor. A critique
of political economy; political nature of applications of economic
theory.
110. Economic History of the United States (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. Exploration and colonization
to the present; economic factors in develop ment of the United
States; relationships of economic forces to historical, political,
and social change.
114. Economic Development of Poor Nations (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 25 or 40 or 50. Intensive study of the causes
and consequences of underdevelopment that affects two-thirds of
the world's people. Topics include theories of development, historical
roots of underdevelopment, evaluation of aid programs, New International
Economic Order, Asian export economies, managing external debt.
115T. Topics in U.S. Economic History (1-3; max total 6)
Detailed investigation of developments in the United States economy.
Topics vary with the needs and interests of students and faculty.
117. Environmental Economics (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 40. Investigation into the economics of resource
use. Development and creation of resources through the application
of technology and the destruction of resources through misuse
and pollution of the environment.
119. San Joaquin Valley Economic Problems and Promise (3)
Examination of San Joaquin Valley economy from a policy-oriented
perspective. Application of regional economic models to the local
economy. Empirical analysis of issues including immigration, unemployment,
and local economic development. (Formerly ECON 104T)
123. Introduction to Econometrics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; MATH 11 or permission of instructor.
Statistical data analysis in economics. Use of multiple regression
analysis, time series analysis, index numbers. Basic theory; computer
applications using major economic data sources; interpretation
of results. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
125. Introduction to Mathematical Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; MATH 75. Introduction to uses of mathematics
(primarily calculus and matrix algebra) in theoretical economic
analysis. Knowledge of basic economics assumed; math is taught.
Strongly recommended for students considering graduate work in
economics or business.
131. Public Finance (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 40. Impact of government expenditures and
taxes on the allocation of resources and the distribution of income.
Evaluation of government expenditure programs and tax policies.
Analysis of existing government policies and proposed reforms.
135. Money and Banking (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Survey of the monetary and banking
system of the United States and analysis of its role in economic
growth and stabilization.
140. The Political Economy of the Military-Industrial Complex
(3)
Prerequisite: ECON 50. Economic effects of military expenditures
in historical perspective. Economic effects of World War II, Korea,
and Vietnam. The Military-Industrial Complex, war profiteering,
and the economic effects of disarmament.
146. Economics of Crime (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Economic theory
of choice and rationality applied to analysis of crime, focusing
on white-collar and corporate crime. Examines costs and benefits
of crime control policies. Economics of participation in crime,
law enforcement, prosecution, and punishment. G.E. Integration
ID.
150. Labor Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Alternative theories of wages, employment,
and structure of labor market; impact of collective bargaining
on level of wages, employment, and labor's share of national income;
history and philosophies of labor movement; structure and functioning
of labor unions.
151. History of Labor in the United States (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Analytical topics from historical
viewpoint; evolution of unions and labor legislation interpreted
in terms of economic theory.
152. Economics of Human Resources (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50 or 165. Economic theory of investment
in education and job training; economic theories of discrimination;
analysis of earnings differentials for women and ethnic minorities.
Issues discussed include educational choices, affirmative action,
comparable worth, and human resources planning policies.
161. Population Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. Development of an economic
framework for studying components of population growth: fertility,
mortality, and migration. Analysis of relationship between population
change and modern economic growth in both developed and lesser
developed nations.
162. Health Economics (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 40. Economic issues associated with the provision
of health care in the U.S. Role of competitive market forces,
non-profits, and government. Separate consideration of physicians,
hospitals, insurance, and drug companies. Comparison to other
countries.
165. The Modern American Economy (3)
No prerequisites. Not open to economics majors. Provides an overview
of the major economic forces that shape our everyday experiences
by introducing fundamental economic principles and applying them
to the American economy. Audio-visual materials and computer simulations
are presented.
167. Contemporary Socioeconomic Challenges (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. In-depth analysis
and discussion of major socio-economic challenges currently facing
the U.S. Emphasis on understanding basic economic underpinnings
of contemporary policy issues. Analysis of conflicting economic,
social, political, and historical forces which condition and constrain
policy implementation. G.E. Integration ID.
174. Government Regulation of Economic Activity (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Justification for regulation, constitutional
limitations, public utility regulation, regulation of monopoly;
competitive practices; government policy in other areas of economic
activity.
176. Economics Themes in Film (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Emphasizes
economic concepts, issues, and institutions through an integrated
series of classic films, lectures, and discussions. Students will
apply the economic way of thinking to social problems involving
such topics as economic growth, unemployment, income distribution,
discrimination, and the global economy. G.E. Integration ID. (2
lecture, 2 lab hours)
178. International Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. International economic relations;
problems and policies in the light of fundamental economic theory.
179. International Political Economy (3)
Analysis of greater internationalization of national economies.
Policies of states and transnational corporations in the context
of globalization. Trade, finance, and production in the international
context. Regional economic integration. Global assembly and labor
issues. Evolution of multilateral institutions. (3 lecture/recitation
hours)
180. Comparative Economic Systems (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Comparative study of economic systems
of the modern world; capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism,
and the problems which arise within each.
181. Political Economy of Latin America (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Latin America's
principal economic problems examined within a historical and contemporary
context. Topics may include Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, foreign
corporations, debt crises, problems of industrialization, women
and labor, agricultural backwardness, and free trade agreements.
Intensive examination of major nations (particularly Mexico) and
of dominant theoretical interpretations. Theories of development
(structuralism, dependency, dualism, modernization) are integrated
into case studies. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.
182. The Political Economy of China (3)
Prerequisites: upper-division standing and/or permission of instructor.
A survey and analysis of economic development in China and its
linkages with politics, history, society, and foreign policy.
183. Political Economy of the Middle East (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D, upper-division
standing. A survey of historical, social, cultural, political,
and economic development, economic development in the Middle East.
An examination of Western colonial policies, the creation of modern
states and their political and economic policies, the role of
religion, and cultural heritage. G.E. Integration ID.
185. Directed Readings (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50, and permission of instructor. Directed
readings in the literature of economics. Intensive reading of
economic literature on special topics under faculty supervision.
188T. Special Topics (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Consideration of in-depth, special
topics in political economy; systematic, detailed study into issues
not possible in survey courses. Topics vary with the needs and
interest of students and faculty.
189T. Topics in Public Policy (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Detailed analysis of questions of
economic policy. Areas of investigation include social welfare
policy, farm policy, environmental quality policy, and others.
Topics to be varied with the interests and needs of students and
faculty.
190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
191. Internship in Applied Economics (1-3; max total 3)
Prerequisite: senior standing, economics major. Supervised
experience in either the private or public sector to provide students
an opportunity to professionally apply economic theory and analysis.
CR/NC grading only.
IN-SERVICE COURSE
(See Course Numbering System.)
Economics (ECON)
365T. Economics for Teachers (1-6; max total 12)
Economics
Degrees