You are in the official 2001-2002 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Economics
COURSES
Economics (ECON)
25. Introduction to Economics (3)
Survey of the development of economic ideas and theories in the
context of economic history. Analysis of major economic thinkers.
Introduction to contemporary economic issues and policy controversies.
Does not count toward the major in economics. G.E. Breadth D3.
40. Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Introduction to microeconomic theories of demand, production,
and income distribution; price determination and resource allocation,
under alternative forms of market organization; government regulation
of economic activity; applied economic analysis and policy formation
in selected topic areas. G.E. Breadth D3. (CAN ECON 4)
50. Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 40. Macroeconomic theories of the determination
of income, output, employment, and prices in the economy as a
whole; business cycles, fiscal and monetary policies; economic
growth and development; international trade; and comparative economic
systems. G.E. Breadth D3. (CAN ECON 2)
100A. Economic Theory: Microeconomic Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Price mechanism and resource allocation
under conditions of pure competition, monopolistic competition,
oligopoly; theories of consumer's choice, cost, production, income
distribution; nature of economic generalizations.
100B. Economic Theory: Macroeconomic Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. An examination of classical, Keynesian
and post- Keynesian theories of the determination of the levels
of income, output, and employment; the scientific and ideological
implications of Keynesian thought; and the theoretical foundations
of contemporary monetary and fiscal policies.
101. History of Economic Thought (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Evolution of economics as a science;
doctrines of different schools of thought -- Mercantilists, Physiocrats,
Historical School, Classical Economists; contributions of outstanding
economists.
102W. Explorations in Economic Literature (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; satisfactory completion (C
or better) of the ENGL 1 graduation requirement; upper-division
standing. An investigation into important economic ideas and issues
through selected readings of either contemporary literature or
classics in the history of economic thought or both. The class
is conducted as a seminar with emphasis on student contributions.
This course meets the upper-division writing skills requirement
for graduation.
103. Economics of Inflation, Unemployment, and Growth (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 50. A theoretical and empirical analysis of
the various types of inflation and unemployment in the United
States economy.
105. Marxian Economic Theory (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Marxian economic theory and its relevance
for modern economic theory and analysis; Marx's value, production,
and distribution theory; modern developments of Marxian models.
107. Institutional Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Study of the literature of American
institutionalism, e.g., Veblen, Commons. Systematic study of the
process of institutional adjustments; interplay of ceremonial
and technological aspects of economic activity; application of
institutionalist theory to specific fields in economics.
109. Principles of Political Economy (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50 or permission of instructor. A critique
of political economy; political nature of applications of economic
theory.
110. Economic History of the United States (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Exploration and colonization to the
present; economic factors in develop ment of the United States;
relationships of economic forces to historical, political, and
social change.
114. Economic Development of Poor Nations (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Intensive study of the causes and
consequences of underdevelopment which affect two-thirds of the
world's people. Topics include theories of development, historical
roots of underdevelopment, evaluation of aid programs, New International
Economic Order, Asian export economies, managing external debt.
115T. Topics in U.S. Economic History (1-3; max total 6)
Detailed investigation of developments in the United States economy.
Topics vary with the needs and interests of students and faculty.
117. Economics of Ecology (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Investigation into the economics of
resource use. Development and creation of resources through the
application of technology and the destruction of resources through
misuse and pollution of the environment.
119. Regional Economics (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 40, 50, or permission of instructor. Examination
of the spatial distribution of economic activity. Local economic
development theory and practice. Empirical analysis of regional
economy. Intensive study of the San Joaquin Valley from a policy-oriented
perspective. Issues may include immigration, location theory,
and agglomeration. (Formerly ECON 104T)
123. Introduction to Econometrics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; MATH 11 or permission of instructor.
Statistical data analysis in economics. Use of multiple regression
analysis, time series analysis, index numbers. Basic theory; computer
applications using major economic data sources; interpretation
of results. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
125. Introduction to Mathematical Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50; MATH 75. Introduction to uses of mathematics
(primarily calculus and matrix algebra) in theoretical economic
analysis. Knowledge of basic economics assumed; math is taught.
Strongly recommended for students considering graduate work in
economics or business.
131. Public Finance (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Governmental revenues and expenditures
at federal, state, and local levels of jurisdiction. Tax limitation
measures, efficiency in government, subsidies, and fiscal relationships
between different levels of government.
135. Money and Banking (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Survey of the monetary and banking
system of the United States and analysis of its role in economic
growth and stabilization.
140. The Political Economy of the Military-Industrial Complex
(3)
Prerequisite: ECON 50. Economic effects of military expenditures
in historical perspective. Economic effects of World War II, Korea,
and Vietnam. The Military-Industrial Complex, war profiteering,
and the economic effects of disarmament.
146. Economics of Crime (3)
Economic theory of choice and rationality applied to analysis
of crime, focusing on white-collar and corporate crime. Examines
costs and benefits of crime control policies. Economics of participation
in crime, law enforcement, prosecution, and punishment. G.E. Integration
ID.
150. Labor Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Alternative theories of wages, employment,
and structure of labor market; impact of collective bargaining
on level of wages, employment, and labor's share of national income;
history and philosophies of labor movement; structure and functioning
of labor unions.
151. History of Labor in the United States (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Analytical topics from historical
viewpoint; evolution of unions and labor legislation interpreted
in terms of economic theory.
152. Economics of Human Resources (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50 or permission of instructor. Economic
theory of investment in education, job training, and health; economic
theories of discrimination; analysis of earnings differentials
for women and ethnic minorities. Issues discussed include educational
choices, affirmative action, comparable worth, and "manpower"
planning policies.
161. Population Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Development of an economic framework
for studying components of population growth: fertility, mortality,
and migration. Analysis of relationship between population change
and modern economic growth in both developed and lesser developed
nations.
162. Health Economics (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 40. Economic issues associated with the provision
of health care in the U.S. Role of competitive market forces,
non-profits, and government. Separate consideration of physicians,
hospitals, insurance, and drug companies. Comparison to other
countries.
165. The Modern American Economy (3)
No prerequisites. Not open to economics majors. Provides an overview
of the major economic forces that shape our everyday experiences
by introducing fundamental economic principles and applying them
to the American economy. Audio-visual materials and computer simulations
are presented.
167. Contemporary Socioeconomic Challenges (3)
In-depth analysis and discussion of major socio-economic challenges
currently facing the U.S. Emphasis on understanding basic economic
underpinnings of contemporary policy issues. Analysis of conflicting
economic, social, political, and historical forces which condition
and constrain policy implementation. G.E. Integration ID.
174. Government Regulation of Economic Activity (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Justification for regulation, constitutional
limitations, public utility regulation, regulation of monopoly;
competitive practices; government policy in other areas of economic
activity.
176. Economics Themes in Film (3)
Emphasizes economic concepts, issues, and institutions through
an integrated series of classic films, lectures, and discussions.
Students will apply the economic way of thinking to social problems
involving such topics as economic growth, unemployment, income
distribution, discrimination, and the global economy. G.E. Integration
ID.
178. International Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. International economic relations;
problems and policies in the light of fundamental economic theory.
179. International Political Economy (3)
Problems of economic underdevelopment in the Third World within
the context of the world economy, nature, and function of multinational
corporations, theories of economic imperialism.
180. Comparative Economic Systems (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Comparative study of economic systems
of the modern world; capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism,
and the problems which arise within each.
181. Political Economy of Latin America (3)
Latin America's principal economic problems examined within
a historical and contemporary context. Topics may include Colonialism,
Neo-Colonialism, foreign corporations, debt crises, problems of
industrialization, women and labor, agricultural backwardness,
and free trade agreements. Intensive examination of major nations
(particularly Mexico) and of dominant theoretical interpretations.
Theories of development (structuralism, dependency, dualism, modernization)
are integrated into case studies. G.E. Multicultural/International
MI.
182. The Political Economy of China (3)
Prerequisites: upper-division standing and/or permission of instructor.
A survey and analysis of economic development in China and its
linkages with politics, history, society, and foreign policy.
183. Political Economy of the Middle East (3)
Prerequisites: upper-division standing. A survey of historical,
social, cultural, political, and economic development, economic
development in the Middle East. An examination of Western colonial
policies, the creation of modern states and their political and
economic policies, the role of religion, and cultural heritage.
G.E. Integration ID.
185. Directed Readings (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50, and permission of instructor. Directed
readings in the literature of economics. Intensive reading of
economic literature on special topics under faculty supervision.
188T. Special Topics (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Consideration of in-depth, special
topics in political economy; systematic, detailed study into issues
not possible in survey courses. Topics vary with the needs and
interest of students and faculty.
189T. Topics in Public Policy (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: ECON 40, 50. Detailed analysis of questions of
economic policy. Areas of investigation include social welfare
policy, farm policy, environmental quality policy, and others.
Topics to be varied with the interests and needs of students and
faculty.
190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for SP grading.
191. Internship in Applied Economics (3; max total 3)
Prerequisite: senior standing, economics major. Supervised
experience in either the private or public sector to provide students
an opportunity to professionally apply economic theory and analysis.
CR/NC grading only.
IN-SERVICE COURSE
(See Course Numbering System.)
Economics (ECON)
365T. Economics for Teachers (1-6; max total 12)
Economics
Degrees