Schedule of Classes

Nature, scope, and methods of economics; current economic institutions, problems, and policies. Students who have already completed ECO 221 and/or 222 will not receive credit for this course.

An introduction to theoretical and applied analyses of microeconomics, including supply and demand analysis, elasticities, firm costs and profit maximization, market structures, wage determination, and market failures such as externalities, public goods, and monopoly power.

An introduction to theoretical and applied analyses of macroeconomics, including determinants of overall economic activity and growth, market analysis, national income accounting, employment, inflation, monetary and fiscal policies, and international economics.

Introduction to advanced regression analysis. Topics include ordinary least squares, generalized least squares, nonlinear regression, dummy variables, autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, and serial correlation. Computer software used extensively.

Optimizing behavior and market processes. Emphasizes proficiency in numerous microeconomic tools of analysis. Encourages thought about these tools and the real world they are designed to illuminate.

Behavioral economics describes how individual people make economic decisions, both for themselves and in interactions with other people. Experimental economics is a primary tool in the study of behavioral economics, running controlled experiments to observe individual behavior. This course will broadly survey ways in which individuals make decisions. In many different fields, we will study how neoclassical economics predicts human behavior, and how observed behavior differs from those predictions. We will also discuss research in behavioral economics, including designing and implementing experiments.

Continuation of Economics 300, with more difficult and challenging readings.

Individual readings for qualified students under the guidance of a member of the economics staff.

Student begins to explore an area of economics in which he or she has a particular interest and plans to write a senior thesis. Required for all economics majors. Pass/Fail.

Capstone project where each student completes a senior research thesis under the guidance of an economics faculty member. Student explores an area of economics in which he or she has a particular interest.