ECON – Economics
Courses Offered
Lower Divison | Upper Divison | Graduate
Lower Division
ECON 201 PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F/S)(DLS). Economics principles are used to analyze the aggregate performance of developed economies. Analysis is applied to domestic and international macroeconomic issues. The goals and problems of high employment, price stability, growth, and the balance of payments are analyzed. Monetary, fiscal, and other national policies are discussed.
ECON 202 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F/S)(DLS). An introduction to microeconomic analysis covering supply and demand, basic market structures, the operations of the price system, and the distribution of income. Provides an introduction to some applied areas of economics such as international and regional economics, the public sector, and economic development.
Upper Division
Upper-division courses in the Department of Economics (those with a course number 300 or higher) provide higher-level instruction to students who have the skills necessary to perform at this level. In addition to fulfilling the specific prerequisites listed and meeting the general university requirements for junior standing, every student admitted to a course is expected: to communicate clearly and correctly so that assignments such as term papers and presentations can be completed effectively, to organize and solve problems using the techniques of intermediate level high school algebra, to use a microcomputer for simple word processing and spreadsheet applications.
ECON 301 MONEY AND BANKING (3-0-3). Analysis of the role of money, credit, and the financial system in the U.S. economy through the economics of commercial and central banking. Study of monetary theory and monetary policy as they affect both domestic and international economic policy goals. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 303 INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F,S). An analysis of the price mechanism and its role in resource allocation, output composition, and income distribution. Topics include consumer choice and demand, theories of production and cost, and the economic performance of various market structures. The usefulness of price theory in the analysis of social problems and managerial decisions is stressed. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or Economics minor, ECON 202 and MATH 160 or equivalent.
ECON 305 INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS (3-0-3). Analysis of the determinants of the level of national income, employment, productivity, and the price level. Analysis of the effects of economic policy instruments and decisions on aggregate economic performance goals. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201.
ECON 310 (POLS 410) PUBLIC FINANCE (3-0-3)(S). A study of the role and impact of government on the functioning of the free enterprise economic system. The theory and rationale of government spending, taxing, and indebtedness will be examined, as well as the effects of government activity on allocation of resources and distribution of income. Attention will be paid to state and local problems. May be taken for either ECON or POLS credit, but not both. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor or Health Science Studies major, ECON 201 and ECON 202 or PERM/INST.
ECON 311 HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT (3-0-3)(S). Study of the origin and development of economic theories that have influenced western civilization. Particular attention will be given to the period since 1750. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 315 GLOBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Economic development within the context of the global economy. Alternative development paradigms and policy prescriptions and the record of successes and failures of developing countries. Problems of transitional post-socialist and post-colonial economies, economic growth, income distribution, resource mobilization, agricultural and industrial development, human resource development, the role of international agencies, and international trade and financial relations. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 317 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(S). The benefits and pattern of world trade and investment. Tariffs, quotas, and the commercial policies of nations. The foreign exchange market and the balance of payments. Consequences of balance-of-payments disequilibrium for national policy. The analysis of international payments adjustment and the nature and institutions of international monetary systems. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 321 REGIONAL ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F). Application of economic analysis to regional problems of structure, growth, and policy. Location theory, various growth models, and specific techniques such as input-output analysis, base multipliers, and cost/ benefit analysis are developed. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 322 URBAN ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(S). Focus on the structure of the urban areas, locational patterns, housing, crime, pollution, poverty, financial, and transportation problems. Tools of economic analysis will be used to analyze the problems and existing and proposed policies. PREREQ: ECON 201 and ECON 202 or PERM/INST.
ECON 325 RADICAL ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F). Analysis of radical political-economic thought and its applications to the study of socioeconomic problems. Topics include Marxian socialist economic theory, libertarianism, anarchist theory, evolutionary economic theory, and other radical models. Issues such as imperialism, economic and social inequality, and alienation will be considered. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 327 LABOR ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F). Characteristics and structure of the U.S. labor force are examined and labor markets are analyzed to emphasize the micro- and macroeconomic factors affecting workplace decisions. Development of the U.S. industrial relations system is reviewed along with public policies, and these are contrasted with those of other western industrialized societies. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 333 NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F). The theoretical and policy issues associated with the use of natural resources are addressed, including property rights issues that arise when considering collective goods, externalities, and common property resources. Tools used in the design and evaluation of resource policy, such as benefit/cost analysis, are covered. PREREQ: ECON 202.
ECON 350 (HIST 350) UNITED STATES ECONOMIC HISTORY (3-0-3)(S)(Alternate years). Major factors in the economic growth and development of the United States from colonial times to the present. Particular emphasis is given to the interaction of economic factors and other aspects of American society. May be taken for either ECON or HIST credit, but not both. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 421 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F)(CID). The first of a two-semester sequence in quantitative economic analysis The course focuses on integrating quantitative methods with economic theory in order to critically analyze applied economic problems. Emphasis throughout is placed on developing communication skills critical to working as an applied economist. Topics will include equilibrium analysis, input-output analysis, comparative static analysis, optimization techniques, and dynamic analysis. May be taken for graduate credit. PREREQ: ECON 201, ECON 202, MATH 160 or equivalent, and BUSSTAT 207.
ECON 422 ECONOMETRICS (3-0-3)(S)(FF). The second of a two-semester sequence in quantitative economic analysis. This course emphasizes the application of statistics to the construction, estimation, and evaluation of econometric models. Other related topics will include history and methodology of econometrics, forecasting, computer application, and the use of econometrics in business and government. May be taken for graduate credit. PREREQ: ECON 421.
ECON 440 HEALTH ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(S). Examines the economic issues associated with those individual and social decisions that influence the health of particular groups. Examines the production and delivery of health care and the economic and ethical aspects of health policy issues. Various economic approaches to the analysis of health policy are presented and evaluated. The focus is on the U.S. health care system. Comparisons will also be made to the health care systems of other nations. PREREQ: Admission to COBE, B.A. Economics major or Economics minor or Health Science Studies major, ECON 201 and ECON 202 or PERM/INST.
ECON 480 SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS (3-0-3)(F/S). An in-depth study of a particular subject of restricted scope in international economics. Students will survey the literature, discuss assigned topics, and prepare and present research papers. Consult the Boise State Schedule of Classes for specific selection offered. Seminar may be repeated. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 201 and ECON 202.
ECON 493 ECONOMICS INTERNSHIP (V-V-V). Opportunity to apply economic principles in a business, nonprofit, government, or academic setting. (Pass/Fail.) PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor, ECON 303, ECON 305, BUSSTAT 207, and PERM/INST.