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Economics
Course descriptions
General
Education Course * Economics
111.
Contemporary Economic Issues and
Social Policy. Fundamental economic principles and the economics of
social issues. Material is addressed in a manner that illustrates the
importance of understanding economic issues that affect you as a
consumer, citizen, and taxpayer. Example topics are: environmental
issues, poverty and inequality, the war on drugs, the determination of
prices in markets and price manipulation, and the collapse of communism.
The format for all classes is discussion. 3 credits. * Economics
115.
Economics for Educators. An
examination and exploration of economic concepts and principles as well
as instructional approaches aimed at incorporating these concepts into
the elementary school curriculum. This course is designed especially for
students preparing for careers as elementary school educators and will
focus on preparing students to be able to implement the economics strand
in the Virginia Social Studies Standards of Learning adopted in 1995.
This course may not be taken for credit by business or economics majors.
3 credits. Economics
217.
Principles of Economics (Micro
Emphasis). Overview of economic theory and real world applications.
For example, how are prices in the economy determined? How do economic
markets operate? How do economic events such as technological advances,
increases in input prices, and government policy changes affect market
prices and the consumer? Some time will be spent on discussion of market
structures such as competitive markets versus monopoly. Real world
applications will be used to illustrate economic theories. 3 credits. Economics
218.
Principles of Economics (Macro
Emphasis). Study of the economy as a whole. Topics include the
determination of a general price level for the economy, determinants of
inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and Gross Domestic Product. For
example, this course addresses how the Federal Reserve uses monetary
policy to manipulate economic activity, inflation, and interest rates. 3
credits. Economics
295.
Special Topics. Selected
topics in economics. The topics may vary from semester to semester. May
be repeated for credit when topics change. 1-3 credits. ECONOMICS 302.
Law for Economists. Students
will evaluate the law based on economic principles and will form
connections to public policy. Specifically,
students will examine the effects of current law on behavior and predict
the effects of future laws on society.
Topics include economics of crime and punishment, economic theory
of property and property liability, and medical malpractice.
Students will apply legal and economic concepts to recent cases.
Prerequisite: ECON 217. 3 credits. ECONOMICS 303.
Economics of Sports.
A study of how economic theories apply to the markets for
professional and amateur sports. Topics will include competition within the industry, wage
determination, labor market functions, regulation and market failure.
Class will be discussion oriented.
Prerequisite: ECON 217. 3 credits. Economics
304.
Experimental Economics. This
course is project oriented. Students will work with the professor on
grant-related research in order to learn about experimental design,
protocol, and recruiting. Students will also work in groups on
experimental projects that will be presented to the class. Prerequisite:
Permission of the instructor. 3 credits. Economics
306.
Economic Development.
Examination and analysis of alternative theories of economic development
in Less Developed Countries. Special emphasis is on factors such as
capital formation, population growth, institutions, and policies and
planning for development. Prerequisite: ECON 218. 3 credits. ** Economics
308.
Money and Banking.
The function of money as legal tender and the relation of money
and credit to prices. Emphasis will be placed on monetary policy,
interest rates, and the Federal Reserve System, international
applications, and problems of currency exchange. Prerequisites: ECON 217
and 218. 3 credits. Economics
309. Managerial Economics.
This course applies economics to business decision-making.
Applied regression analysis, an important empirical tool that is widely
used in business and government, will be used to study managerial
insights that can be gained from business data. Additional topics
include linear programming, forecasting, and business strategies for
firms in competitive and monopolistic markets. Prerequisites: ECON 217
and one of the following: MANG 275, math
171, or math 271. 3
credits. Economics
310.
Comparative Economic Systems.
Critical study of alternative economic systems found in countries around
the world. The economic systems of specific countries will be analyzed,
including the centrally planned economies of Russia, Hungary, and
Poland. Reform in the former Soviet Union is an especially timely topic.
The economies of Lesser Developed Countries will also be discussed.
Prerequisites: ECON 217 and 218. 3 credits. ECONOMICS 311, 312.
Studies Abroad.
Primarily intended for transfer of credit earned abroad in
courses in economics. 1-18
credits. Economics
313.
Public Economics. This course
addresses the role of government in a market economy. The economic
rationale for government intervention in correcting market failures is
analyzed, along with regulation and redistribution issues. Emphasis is
placed on the evaluation of government policies and programs, as well as
potential reforms; for example, health care, drug prohibition, education
reform, and farm subsidy programs. Contrast is made between bureaucratic
and market solutions. Prerequisites: ECON 217. 3 credits. Economics
314.
Environmental and Resource
Economics. This course analyzes environmental concerns and the
economics of resource use. Specifically, a contrast will be made between
governmental solutions to environmental issues and market-based
environmental reforms. Issues addressed include: animal extinction and
common ownership problems, pollution, water management, global
warming/global cooling, and land management. The underlying theme of the
course is the ability to use economic theory to develop appropriate
incentive structures for the use of economic resources. Prerequisite:
ECON 217. 3 credits. Economics
317.
Intermediate Microeconomics.
Advanced topics in microeconomics supplemented by applications of
microeconomic theory to policy and business issues. Theory of the
consumer and production will be emphasized. Prerequisite: ECON 217. 3
credits. Economics
318.
Intermediate Macroeconomics.
Advanced coverage of monetary and fiscal theory and policy with emphasis
on money supply and interest rates, national income determination,
unemployment, inflation, and international issues. Prerequisites: ECON
217 and 218. 3 credits. Economics
319.
International Economics.
Analytical approach to gains derived from trade, treatment of various
theories of international trade (classical and current). Includes
analysis of economic and political influences on exports and imports,
foreign exchange rates, concept of elasticity as applied to
international trade, balance of payments, significance of foreign trade
and investment. Prerequisites: ECON 217 and 218. 3 credits. ** ECONOMICS 400.
Economics in Elementary School
Classroom. Teachers
will learn how to make economics come alive in their classroom.
Teachers will learn how to teach basic economics principles
addressing scarcity, production, consumption, opportunity cost, markets,
etc. Major focus will be
hands-on activities for young students.
Virginia SOL’s will be discussed.
Course taught through Longwood College Center of Economic
Education. Not for credit
toward the economics major, minor, or concentration.
1 credit. Summer
only. ECONOMICS 401.
Economics in the High
School Classroom. Teachers
will learn basic economic concepts and how to apply them to topics
including domestic and global issues such as the environment,
international trade, economic reform in Russia, macroeconomic policy,
welfare reform, and drug legalization.
Classroom activities and social studies SOL’s will be
addressed. Course taught
through the Longwood College Center of Economic Education.
Not for credit toward the economics major, minor, or
concentration. 3 credits. Economics
411.
Economics of Labor and
Discrimination. Economic analysis of labor markets, including issues
of labor supply and demand, wage determination, unemployment, job
search, education, and other human capital investments. Emphasis will be
placed on the analysis of data on labor market outcomes relative to
ethnicity and gender. Theories of discrimination will be addressed.
Policy issues and programs such as minimum wage, comparable worth pay
programs, and affirmative action will be discussed. Prerequisite: ECON
217. 3 credits. Economics
412.
Industrial Organization and
Regulation. Focus will be on organization of the firm and the
impacts of regulation. Topics include industrial pricing practices,
reasons why firms exist, why they vertically or horizontally integrate,
and recent downsizing trends. The regulation component will address
antitrust legislation, pricing regulations, and rate of return
regulations such as those commonly imposed on public utilities.
Prerequisite: ECON 217. 3 credits. Economics
414.
Econometrics and Forecasting.
Introduction to the basic concepts used in economic data analysis.
Emphasis is on applications of linear regression techniques to analyze
common empirical problems in economics, business, and government.
Forecasting techniques that are commonly used by economists will be
covered. Students will receive hands-on experience in data collection,
computer software, and project design. Prerequisites: ECON 217, 218, and
one of the following: MANG 275, Math
171 or MATH 271. 3 credits. ** Economics
415.
Teaching Environmental Economics.
Educator oriented course, applying economics to environmental issues
such as resource scarcity, pollution, property rights, garbage and
recycling, oil spills, and endangered species. Students will learn how
markets and prices can be used to help solve environmental problems.
Course cannot be used as credit towards economics major or minor in
economics. Students cannot receive credit for both ECON 415/EDUC 415 and
ECON 500 or both ECON 415/EDUC 415 and ECON 314. 3 credits. Economics
461.
Senior Seminar. Designed as a
seminar for senior level economics students. The course will be project
oriented. Emphasis placed on discussion and project presentation. Topics
will vary by semester. Prerequisite: Senior status in economics or
approval of instructor. 3 credits. ** Economics
490.
Independent Study: Economics. This is an individually designed course that
allows the student to pursue advanced topics in specific areas of
economics. Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission of instructor.
1-3 credits. Economics
492.
Internship: Economics. An
on-the-job learning experience designed to give students an opportunity
to apply their technical and professional skills and to observe
organizations in action. Prerequisites: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or
greater, 60 credits, declared business or economics major, a declared
concentration, and permission of internship director. 1-3 credits per
internship placement; limited to a maximum of 6 credits. Economics
495. Special Topics.
Selected topics in economics. The topics may vary from semester to
semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 1-3 credits. ECONOMICS 498. Honors
Research in Economics. Students
conduct research in economics under the direction of a faculty member
and the Senior Honors Research Committee.
May be repeated as 499. 3
credits. Economics
500.
Environmental Economics. This
course analyzes the economics of resource use, focusing on market based
environmental reforms. Issues addressed include: animal extinction and
common ownership problems, pollution, water and air regulation, garbage
and recycling. This course is intended for students in the Masters in
Environmental Studies program. Prerequisite: ECON 217. 3 credits. ** |
