Economics Course Offerings

Please see the section on “Course Description Symbols and Terms” in The University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

ECON 001

Introduction to Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

A non-technical introduction to economics with coverage of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Overview of the evolution of economic concepts and ideas. Application of economics to current problems such as inflation, unemployment, the financial sector, the economics of regulation, market imperfections, environmental problems, and international economics. Consumer decision making and different market models are included. (Can be substituted for ECON 002 in the major if students also take ECON 130 as one of their 100-level electives.) This is an approved General Education course.

ECON 002

Principles of Macroeconomic Analysis 3.0 Fa/Spr

An introductory survey of macroeconomic analysis. Use of fundamental economic concepts to analyze the over-all economy. Determination of gross national product, rates of unemployment, problems of inflation, recession, and the use of governmental policies. Discussion of current problems. This is an approved General Education course. CAN ECON 2.

ECON 002H

Principles of Macroeconomic Analysis 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program.

ECON 003

Principles of Microeconomic Analysis 3.0 Fa/Spr

An introductory survey of microeconomic analysis. Analysis of individual economic units: household, firms, and markets. Analysis of individual decision making. Supply and demand analysis. Type of market organization: competition, oligopoly, and monopoly. Discussion of current problems. This is an approved General Education course. CAN ECON 4.

ECON 101

Microeconomic Analysis 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

Microeconomics examines the economic behavior of individual decision-making agents, such as consumers, resource owners, and firms. The goal of this course is to build a theoretical foundation to study various applied fields in economics and management (such as international trade, public finance, labor, or environmental economics). Topics include consumer theory, production and cost analysis, theories of the firm and markets, and welfare economics.

ECON 102

Macroeconomic Analysis 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 002.

An extension of macroeconomic concepts and principles relating to short-term stabilization policies, long-term growth questions, fiscal and monetary theory and policy, international dimensions, and problems of inflation, deflation, unemployment, productivity, and growth. Theories and models are used to examine, develop, and analyze macroeconomics issues, problems, and policies.

ECON 103

Managerial Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003. A course in basic statistics is recommended.

The application of microeconomic theory and computer simulation models in business decision-making. Demand theory and forecasting. Production theory and cost. Market structure and pricing. Decision-making under uncertainty. This course is recommended for students who feel comfortable exploring new computer applications.

ECON 105

Roots of Modern Economic Thought 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 001 or ECON 002.

A historical survey of major economic theories developed by various schools of economic thought, including preclassical, classical, neoclassical, Marxian, and Keynesian. Reviews the writings of major economic figures. (May not be counted for credit toward a major in Economics if ECON 210 is used.) This is an approved General Education course.

ECON 107

Economics of the Future 3.0 Fa/Spr

A survey of the economic challenges facing the future U.S. economy. Topics covered include the impact of technological and financial innovations, environmental limitations and opportunities, and changing work relations.

ECON 120

American Economic History 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 001 or ECON 002.

Economic growth and development in the United States, emphasizing the periods of American mercantilism, laissez faire, corporate capitalism, and increased government involvement in the economy. Contrast to different economic perspectives in interpreting American economic history.

ECON 130

Money and Credit 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 002.

Financial markets and financial institutions. Impact of money and credit on the economy. Central banking and monetary policy. International finance. Macroeconomics and monetary theory will be emphasized. (Can be substituted for ECON 002 in the major.)

ECON 135

Tax Theory and Policy 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

Examines the structure, rationale, and impacts of various federal, state, and local taxes on individuals, corporations, and various levels of governments. Taxation fundamentals and policy issues and controversies are a central part of this course. The focus is on practical aspects of various taxes, including personal income tax, consumption, sales, excise, and property taxes. Both historical tax philosophies and currently accepted taxing practices are examined as well as evaluating current proposals to change existing tax structures at the local, state, and federal levels.

ECON 140

Work, Wealth, and Income Distribution 3.0 Fa/Spr

Investigation of the nature and causes of income distribution in the United States. Consideration of the social and economic forces which generate income levels and determine patterns of economic mobility over time, interweaving theoretical, descriptive, quantitative, and normative aspects. This is an approved General Education course.

ECON 150

The Economics of Big Business 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003 or faculty permission.

The study of large business firms and their markets. An examination of how industrial structure and firm behavior influence economic performance. Mergers, takeovers, multinational corporations, and other current issues.

ECON 152

Medical Economics 3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: ECON 001, ECON 002, or ECON 003.

An examination of the health care industry and its role in fulfilling national health needs. Topics include national health insurance, health financing, and resource allocation. This is an approved General Education course.

This course is the same as HCSV 133 which may be substituted.

ECON 155

The Economics of Government Regulations 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

An overview of the economics of government regulation with emphasis on the formulation of regulatory policy, alternative methods of regulation, and the economic impacts of such policy. Topics may include environmental regulation, energy conservation policy, consumer protection, antitrust policy, and a critical evaluation of market-based regulatory policy.

ECON 160

Urban Problems 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

An application of principles of economics to problems occurring in urban areas. Topics may include pollution, land use policy, education, poverty, transportation/congestion, location theory, migration, and the structure of local government. Emphasis will be on the usefulness of economics for understanding urban problems and for creating policy to deal with these contemporary issues.

ECON 165

Environmental Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

An analysis of the costs and benefits of environmental preservation. Systems for creating economic incentives for pollution abatement. Criteria for establishing optimum pollution abatement, including efficiency, safety, and sustainability standards. Impacts of population growth on global environmental problems. Alternative energy use patterns and their impact on energy markets and global environmental health.

ECON 170

International Finance and Trade Policy 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

A study on the theory of international finance and trade. In-depth analysis of what determines trade flows, gains from trade, and the international flow of capital and technology. Focus on international trade policies and institutions and a survey of current trade problems and conflicts.

ECON 175

The Developing Countries 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

This course surveys theoretical approaches and policy options to the problems of development and underdevelopment in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Agricultural transformations, industrial development, balance of payments problems, the role of foreign aid, direct foreign investment, the economic role of international institutions such as the World Bank, and other related topics are included in this course.

ECON 176

Economics of the Pacific Rim 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 001 or ECON 002 or faculty permission.

A survey and analysis of economic development in the Pacific Rim and its linkages with politics, history, society, and foreign policy. Topics covered include trade, tariffs, subsidies, balance of payments, savings, investment, government deficits, environment, agricultural economics, and economic growth. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western Course.

ECON 180

Economic Statistics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 002.

Introduction to analyzing economic data. Probability sampling. Statistical testing and procedures. Correlation and regression analysis.

ECON 189

Internship in Economics 1.0-6.0 Fa/Spr

This course is an internship offered as 189A-F for 1.0 to 6.0 units respectively. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Field experience in working with economic data designed to complement the theoretical classroom curriculum and to give students work experience related to their studies. Placements are limited, so students must be screened. Units are dependent upon the number of hours in the field. May be repeated up to a maximum of 15 units. No more than 3 units can be counted toward 100-level Economics major requirement.

ECON 199

Special Problems 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is an independent study of special problems and is offered as 199A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Credit/no credit grading only.

ECON 210

The History of Economic Thought 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

Survey of the development of economic philosophy and its relevance to social and political development and issues. (May not be counted for credit toward a major in Economics if ECON 105 is used.)

ECON 211

Social and Institutional Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

A study of institutional economics as an indigenous school of American economic thought, focusing on Veblen, Mitchell, Commons, Ayres, Polanyi, Galbraith, and Boulding. Explorations in interdisciplinary studies, moving toward a social theory of the economy.

ECON 213

Marxist Economic Theory 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

An analysis of the economic theories of Karl Marx and Marxist economists with an emphasis on how these theories relate to economic conflicts, crises, and transformations; contrasts to orthodox economic ideas and theories; analysis of 20th century economic problems, and prospects for the future.

ECON 231

Theory of Money 3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: ECON 102.

A survey course of monetary theories. The role of money in general equilibrium and exchange theory. Money in the classical system. Keynes’ theory of money. Monetarism.

ECON 235

Public Finance: Theory and Policy 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

Emphasizes fiscal functions (e.g., resource allocation and income distribution) rather than fiscal institutions, rationale for the existence of the public sector treated both historically and theoretically, taxing and expenditure policies and procedures, with applied research on current topics.

ECON 240

Labor Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

A study of labor movement theory in a historical and philosophical framework.

ECON 250

Industrial Organization 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

The structure, conduct, and performance of American industry and its relationship to oligopoly theory. Economic evaluation of antitrust laws and their enforcement. In-depth analysis of specific U.S. industries.

ECON 262

Urban-Regional Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

Theory of location of economic activities. Land use. Systems of cities and regions. Regional structure and growth. Spatial aspects of urban areas and urban problems.

ECON 265

Economics of Energy 3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

An analysis of petroleum markets and the likely trend in prices. Alternatives to petroleum and increasig dependence on OPEC, including conservation technologies, efficiency improvements in conventional energy production, and the potential for expanded use of renewable energy resources. Public utility deregulation and the impact on the efficient use of energy.

ECON 266

Environmental and 3.0 Fa/Spr
Natural Resource Economics

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

Economic theory and policy concerning optimization of resource use and pollution abatement. Incentive systems for generating optimum pollution abatement. Efficiency, safety, and sustainability standards as criteria defining the appropriate level of environmental preservation. Economically efficient rates of consumption for renewable and non-renewable resources. Case studies in resource exploitation assessing whether current use rates deviate from the optimum.

ECON 270

International Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

Economic problems arising out of economic relations and interactions among nations. Current theory of international trade, capital flows, and finance. International economic institutions and their relationship to American foreign policy.

ECON 281

Introductory Econometrics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101; ECON 102; ECON 180.

Use of mathematics and statistics to design and test econometric models.

ECON 282

Introductory Mathematical Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 101; ECON 102.

Analysis of topics in economic theory, using calculus and other mathematical techniques. Input-output analysis, linear programming, and game theory.

ECON 283

Economic Forecasting 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 102; ECON 180 or equivalent.

Survey of methods of economic forecasting, including leading indicators, surveys, time series, and regression.

ECON 290

Economic Education 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ECON 001 or ECON 002.

An applied analysis of economic concepts relevant to economic educators. Topics include scarcity, economic systems, supply and demand, decision-making, market structure, externalities, public goods, productivity, income distribution, gross national product, inflation, unemployment, banking, macroeconomic policy, and international economics. This course is a combination of theory and resource material. (Will not count toward the Economics major.)

ECON 295

Economic Literature 1.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher,
ECON 002, ECON 003.

Students review selected economic literature and complete written reports that relate readings to their area of interest in economics. Occasional class meetings will provide opportunities for in-class writing and feedback from other students. Majors, except those in the Honors program, must take two 1-unit courses with different instructors to fulfill the literacy requirement. Students in Honors in the Major program may substitute ECON 299H for 2 units of ECON 295. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

ECON 297A

Proseminar in Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

ECON 297B

Proseminar in Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

ECON 297C

Proseminar in Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

ECON 297D

Proseminar in Economics 3.0 January

Prerequisites: faculty permission.

ECON 298

Special Topics in Economics 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered as 298A-D for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

ECON 299H

Honors Independent Study in Economics 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Admission to Honors in Economics Program; ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, ECON 101 or ECON 102; faculty permission.

In the semester preceding enrollment in ECON 299H, students complete a 200-level economics class with a designation of “H,” complete all course requirements, and earn a grade for this class of B or higher. As part of the 200-level “H” class, students undertake an undergraduate honors-level research project on a topic approved by the course instructor. In ECON 299H, students complete the project undertaken in the first semester and meet all course requirements for ECON 299H. Because ECON 299H is a writing proficiency course, students completing this course with a B or better are not required to take ECON 295. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.