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Department of Economics
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COURSES
Economics (ECON)
ECON 25. Introduction to Economics (3
units)
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. FS
ECON 40. Principles of Microeconomics (3 units)
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. FS
ECON 50. Principles of Macroeconomics (3 units)
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. FS
ECON 100A. Intermediate Microeconomics (3
units)
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. S
ECON 100B. Intermediate Macroeconomics (3
units)
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. F
ECON 101. History of Economic Thought (3
units)
Prerequisite: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. Evolution of economics as a science;
doctrines of different schools of thought - Mercantilists, Physiocrats,
Historical School, Classical Economists; contributions of outstanding economists.
F
ECON 102W. Explorations in Economic Literature
(3 units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; satisfactory completion (C or
better) of the ENGL 5B or 10 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. S
ECON 110. Economic History of the United
States (3 units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. Exploration and colonization to the
present; economic factors in development of the United States; relationships
of economic forces to historical, political, and social change. S
ECON 111. European Economic History (3
units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50, or 165 or permission of instructor. An examination
of the causes and consequences of economic development in Europe from 1650
to 1950. Survey of selected economic forces that shaped key social institutions.
ECON 114. Economic Development of Poor Nations
(3 units)
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. S
ECON 115T. Topics in U.S. Economic History
(1-3; max total 6 units)
Detailed investigation of developments in the United States economy. Topics
vary with the needs and interests of students and faculty.
ECON 117. Environmental Economics (3 units)
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.
F even
ECON 119. Urban and Regional Economics
(3 units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40 or 50. Examination of San Joaquin Valley economy
from a policy-oriented perspective. Construction of economic models and
theories regarding how urban and regional economic activity is located across
spaces. Investigation of why and where cities form. Application of regional
economic models to the local economy. F
ECON 120. Women in the Economy (3 units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. Explores the social and economic forces
shaping the economic status of women in the U.S. Topics include women's
participation in paid employment and current labor market and family policy
issues.
ECON 123. Introduction to Econometrics (3
units)
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)
S
ECON 125. Introduction to Mathematical Methods
for Economics (3 units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; MATH 75. Introduction to mathematical methods
useful for economic analysis. Mathematical concepts are developed in the
context of economic examples and applications. Knowledge of fundamental
economic concepts is required. Strongly recommended for students considering
graduate school in economics or business.
ECON 131. Public Economics (3 units)
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. F even
ECON 135. Money and Banking (3 units)
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.
S
ECON 140. The Political Economy of the Military-Industrial
Complex (3 units)
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. S
ECON 144. Economics of Sports (3 units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. Analyzes issues surrounding the monopolistic
nature of professional leagues, tax incentives used to attract/maintain
a professional franchise, and collective bargaining agreements through industrial-organization,
public finance, and labor economics respectively.
ECON 146. Economics of Crime (3 units)
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. F
ECON 150. Labor Economics (3 units)
Prerequisite: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. 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.
F even
ECON 152. Economics of Human Resources (3
units)
Prerequisite: ECON 40 or 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. S odd
ECON 162. Health Economics (3 units)
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. S
even
ECON 165. The Modern American Economy (3
units)
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. FS
ECON 167. Contemporary Socioeconomic Challenges
(3)
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.
S even
ECON 176. Economics Themes in Film (3
units)
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) F
ECON 178. International Economics (3 units)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. International economic relations; problems and
policies in the light of fundamental economic theory. F
ECON 179. International Political Economy
(3 units)
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) S
even
ECON 181. Political Economy of Latin America
(3 units)
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. S
even
ECON 183. Political Economy of the Middle
East (3 units)
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. S
ECON 185. Directed Readings (1-3; max total
6 units)
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. FS
ECON 188T. Special Topics (1-3; max total
6 units)
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.
ECON 189T. Topics in Public Policy (1-3;
max total 6 units)
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.
ECON 190. Independent Study (1-3; max total
6 units)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading. FS
ECON 191. Internship in Applied Economics
(1-3; max total 3 units)
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.
FS
ECON 192. Senior Project (3 units)
Prerequisite: ECON 40, 50, economics major. Consists of a field trip, lectures
and research. Designed to give students concrete experience on how economics
is applied and how economists think, do research, and present the results
of their investigations. S
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IN-SERVICE COURSE
(See Catalog Numbering System.)
Economics (ECON)
ECON 365T. Economics for Teachers (1-6; max total 12 units)
Economics
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