Economics

Focuses on the individual consumer, firm, and specific market; the principle of supply and demand for specific goods and services; and the role of the price mechanism in allocating resources. Examines when markets work well and when they do not.

Focuses on the economy as a whole. The macroeconomic problems of inflation and unemployment are addressed. The role of government as manager of prosperity is scrutinized.

This course is focused on developing the fundamental to intermediate level Excel skills desired by employers. Topics covered include creating and designing professional spreadsheets, using formulas, formatting, lookups and data tables, functions, importing/exporting data, pivot tables, and data analysis tools.

The course is particularly focused on descriptive statistics, probability, sampling, inference, and simple regression and correlation. Additionally, a focus is placed on utilizing statistics to make business decisions and the interpretation of the data beyond the calculations.

The advanced level of statistics is primarily focused on hypothesis testing methodology for numerical and categorical data, theory and application of multiple regression analysis, and advanced time series forecasting models. Particular attention is given to using statistics to test, predict, and forecast in the context of the capabilities and applications.

An economic analysis of the banking and financial system with special emphasis upon the structure, policy goals and targets of the Federal Reserve. The role of money in influencing the macroeconomy will be examined.

The analysis of rational human behavior, particularly in specific markets affecting consumer and producer decision making. The role of the price mechanism in allocating scarce resources, and the role of competition, externalities, and public goods play in the determination of market efficiency.

Focuses on the problems of the national economy. A variety of viewpoints are examined. Each of these schools of thought, Keynesian, Monetarist, Classical and Rational Expectations, is described and critically evaluated. Theoretical points of view are then shown to have very decipherable effects upon policy.

Topics to be announced, such as Contemporary Economic Problems, Environmental Economics, Women and the Economy, Transportation, and Economic Geography. May be repeated when topics vary.

Economic analysis will be used in a study of the issues and problems involved in the sustainable development of first world and third world countries. Both the trade-off and the complementary aspect between economic growth and environmental protection will be considered. National and international plans and policies which impact sustainable development, equality, economic growth, and environmental protection will be scrutinized from the global social welfare perspective.

Advanced Theoretical Concepts in Economics is specifically designed to prepare students with a more rigorous foundation for graduate study as well as augment and provide cohesion for economics minors in general using principles, concepts, techniques in new applications and levels of understanding. An assortment of topics from International Economics, to Labor Economics, to Industrial Organization will be treated. Standard Economic Theory makes the case for when markets work well and when they do not. Labor and International Economcis as well as Industrial Organization use detailed proofs and sets of assumptions to examine the special cirucumstances and nature of labor markets, international trade regimes, and the level of competition within industry. This course also forumlates appropriate responses to market failure.