300

Continuation of ECON 200. A study of the techniques and tools used in analyzing business and economic data with equal emphasis on estimation techniques and interpretation of results. Topics covered include simple and multiple regression, time series analysis, non-parametric techniques, analysis of variance, and surveying. Use of computer software for statistical analysis is included

Analysis of economic behavior of consumers, producers, and markets. Major topics include utility maximization and production theories, market structures (pure competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly) and theories of factors of production, income distribution, resource allocation, and economic efficiency.

A theoretical analysis of the determinants of employment, income, consumption, investment, the general price level, wage rates and interest rates; the role of government, the impact of monetary and fiscal policies within the framework of various contemporary aggregate models of closed and open economies.

Exploration of the economic status of women, particularly in the United States. Emphasis is placed on women's labor market experiences and how the experiences are explained by economic theory. A major part of the course stresses current economic issues and policies specifically aimed at women including poverty, welfare, labor market mobility, and the status of the family.

Study of money and the financial system. In particular, the operation, functions, structure and regulations of the banking system, and organization and functions of central banking. Special emphasis given to the study of monetary theories, monetary management, and the effectiveness of monetary policy.

Study of international economic relations and international finance - determination of trade patterns and competitiveness, tariff and non-tariff barriers, economic integration, multinational corporations, exchange rates, balance of payments problems and policies, and international monetary system.

Economic analysis of the operations of multinational corporations and the implications of global production, resource allocation, and distribution of goods and services. Emphasis on capital and technology transfer, intercontinental flow of information, transaction costs, transfer pricing and tax policies.

Applications of microeconomic theory to labor markets. Topics include labor supply and demand, investment in education and training, wage determination, working conditions, non-wage compensation, racial and gender discrimination, unions, and government regulation of wage-setting institutions.

Analysis of governmental policies involving taxes and expenditures and how effectively these policies attain their objectives. Topics include externalities and public goods, income redistribution, health and unemployment insurance, and the impact of taxes on labor supply, savings and wealth.

Problems of economic growth and development of less developed countries with emphasis on economic and non-economic obstacles to growth and development, financing of development, strategy of development policy, development planning and project evaluation, industrial and agricultural development, and the role of international trade in growth and development.

Study of the economics of urban and regional development. Emphasis on principles of regional analysis, location theories, population movements, urban base, problems of urban renewal, economics of poverty, transportation, pollution, and housing.

Comparative study of organization, operation and performance of some important economic systems. Emphasis on the socio-cultural and political environment, and on the institutional factors explaining the differences in the performance of various systems.

Microeconomic analysis applicable to the problems of businesses with emphasis on the determination of prices, outputs and inputs. Other topics include demand and cost measurements, forecasting, and cash flow analysis. The course utilizes different constrained optimization and quantitative techniques. Note: Credits for this course may not be applied towards the economics major requirements.

Application of economic analysis to the health care industry. Emphasis on the demand and supply of health care services, and private and group health insurance (HMO, PPO, Medical Care, Medicaid). Analysis of for-profit and non-profit production of health care services under different market structures. Other topics include problems of allocation of medical care resources and analysis of health care policies.

The course will use rational choice theory to analyze how individuals and groups make decisions in strategic and non-strategic situations. Strategic situations are the result of the interdependent decisions of several individuals, e.g., nuclear deterrence or business competition. Problems covered include how computers beat humans at chess to the evolution processes of society. How do group norms arise where individual competition is the usual course of action? A low level of mathematical background is required.

Study of the historical development of those ideas intended to provide a deeper understanding of present economic realities. Emphasis is placed on fundamental areas such as the economist's methodology, value and distribution theory, free trade, economic growth, and macroeconomics, and how the topics have been addressed by major thinkers in the field of economics.

Economic analysis of natural resource and environmental issues and policies. Social cost-benefit analysis, theories of externalities and intertemporal resource allocation and their application to renewable and exhaustible natural resources are emphasized. Topics include pollution control, efficient and equitable resource management, energy issues, ecological and environmental quality, and global sustainability.

Examination of topics in economic issues, problems, theory and policy not covered in any other course offered by the department.

Comparative study of labor market characteristics among U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, OECD countries and a selection of emerging market economies. Emphasis on those factors that enhance economic integration and influence human resource policies. Comparative policy analysis of medical care, immigration, education and employment training, minimum wages, work standards, unemployment insurance, retirement systems and collective bargaining.