You are in the official 2002-2003 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Economics
COURSES
Economics (ECON)
25. Introduction to Economics (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. 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)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. 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: G.E. Foundation A2. Economic 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 or 50 or 165. 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 25 or 40 or 50. Intensive study of the causes and consequences
of underdevelopment that affects 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. Environmental Economics (3)
Prerequisite: ECON 40. 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. San Joaquin Valley Economic Problems and Promise (3)
Examination of San Joaquin Valley economy from a policy-oriented perspective.
Application of regional economic models to the local economy. Empirical
analysis of issues including immigration, unemployment, and local economic
development. (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)
Prerequisite: ECON 40. Impact of government expenditures and taxes on
the allocation of resources and the distribution of income. Evaluation of
government expenditure programs and tax policies. Analysis of existing government
policies and proposed reforms.
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)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. 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 165. Economic theory of investment in education
and job training; economic theories of discrimination; analysis of earnings
differentials for women and ethnic minorities. Issues discussed include
educational choices, affirmative action, comparable worth, and human resources
planning policies.
161. Population Economics (3)
Prerequisites: ECON 40 or 50 or 165. 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)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. 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)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. 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. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
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)
Policies of states and transnational corporations in the context of globalization.
Trade, finance, and production in the international context. Regional economic
integration. Global assembly and labor issues. Evolution of multilateral
institutions. (3 lecture/recitation hours)
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)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. 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: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D, 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 (1-3; 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