Economics

First-Year Seminars (FYS) constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse. All incoming first-year students are required to take a 3- or 4-credit hour FYS course in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with a common course number.  Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix but with a common course number. Special emphasis is given to cultivating critical thinking, effective speaking, and writing skills. 

3 - 4 credits depending on semester. This course examines the basic micro- and macroeconomic principles as found in the real world. The ideas of opportunity cost, supply and demand, the workings of markets, monopoly, unemployment, inflation, economic growth, international trade and other selected topics are discussed. No credit will be granted to any student taking ECN 150 who successfully completed ECN 125.

First-Year Seminars (FYS) constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse. All incoming first-year students are required to take a 3- or 4-credit hour FYS course in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with a common course number.  Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix but with a common course number. Special emphasis is given to cultivating critical thinking, effective speaking, and writing skills. 

This course is an introductory study of market structures, products, and factors of production. Quantitative GEP requirement.

This course is an introduction to national income determination, monetary and fiscal policy, and international trade. Quantitative GEP requirement.

The topics in this course will vary depending on available staff and interest of the students. It is intended to expose students to some introductory studies in the area of economics.

This intermediate-level price theory course deals with the economic behavior of individual units such as consumers, firms and resource owners.

This intermediate-level course examines the determination of national income, employment and monetary policy.

Various mathematical techniques are employed in examining problems encountered in business and economics. These techniques include optimization, regression, decision- making, linear programming, PERT/CPM and inventory management models.

Behavioral economics incorporates insight from other social sciences, such as psychology and sociology, into economic models, and attempts to explain anomalies that defy standard economic analysis. Institutional economics is the study of the evolution of economic organizations, laws, contracts, and customs as part of a historical and continuing process of economic development.

This course examines the role of money and of monetary and financial institutions on the aggregate economy. There is an emphasis on the history, structure, and function of the banking system. The tools of monetary policy and how monetary policy impacts the aggregate economy are also discussed.

Economic progress and development in the emerging nations of the world are the main points of investigation. This is an interdisciplinary approach to the economic, political and sociological factors involved in developing the economies of low per capita income countries. Non-European/Non-Anglophone.  

This course is an examination of the rationale for government involvement in the economy, a study of the sources and uses of public funds, and the impact of these policies on the economy. Regulation and anti-monopoly policies are also examined.

This course illustrates the role of economic intuitions in making sound business decisions. The course emphasizes logic and conceptual modeling, reinforced by real-life examples, to highlight the pivotal link between economics and key business concerns such as costs, prices, markets and personnel. Students will learn to weigh the strategic costs and benefits of each business choice, instead of relying on popular quick-fix solutions.

Labor supply, labor demand, and their interaction in the determination of wage rates are the points of examination for this course. Wage differentials are examined in light of market, institutional, and sociological factors. Discussions of labor unions and their economic effects are held as are examinations of macroeconomic topics such as unemployment and inflation.

This course examines the theoretical bases for international trade, comparative advantages, and the Heckscher-Ohlin model. The effect of trade barriers on the world economy is also explored. The importance of trade in the world economy, the mechanism of international payments, and the nature of fixed and flexible exchange rate systems are studied. The firm’s decision making process in entering a market in a foreign country is examined. The course also examines the cultural, historical and political environments that impact multinational firms’ operations.

This course provides a survey of public policy issues regarding the management of natural resources and the protection of environmental quality, from the perspective of economics. The course covers both conceptual and methodological topics and recent and current applications, including specific environmental policy areas such as climate change.

This course studies the economic development of the United States from the colonial period to the present. The interrelated changes in economic performance, technology, institutions, and governmental policy are emphasized. Such topics as early development, transportation, population growth, technological change, financial development, and the role of government are covered.

The course examines the basic concepts of economics, supply and demand, and applies these concepts in a sports environment, seeking to determine how sports teams derive revenues and how the teams convert those revenues into profits for the owners. Other topics include the value of new franchises, the value of expansion of teams, the location of teams in different markets, and competitive balance. Issues of player salaries and labor relations, the role of government, and the economics of college athletics will be discussed. Cross-listed with BAD 349.

A study of the major economic models and philosophies used by various countries is the focus of the course. Emphasis is placed on theoretical and real world comparison and assessment. Capitalism, communism and democratic socialism are the models covered.

Healthcare economics and policy applies microeconomic principles to healthcare delivery and healthcare policies. The course explores the changing nature of healthcare, social and political issues, and the future of healthcare delivery and finance under the Affordable Care Act. This course will also compare and contrast the United States and its lifestyle, cultural and economic characteristics to those of other developed countries to help students challenge their assumptions about healthcare.

This course will focus on an economic or business question that will vary from year to year. Students will be involved in intense seminars prior to and following a short-term travel program.

A capstone course is required of all majors in the department, including accounting, business administration, and economics.  This course gives students the opportunity to engage in career planning as well as applying their analytical skills to business situations and case studies.  Students will submit written reports and give oral presentations on various topics, possibly in teams. Quantitative GEP requirement. Capstone. Writing Intensive.

The topics in this course will vary depending on available staff and interest of the students. It is intended to expose students to some advanced studies in the area of economics.