Economics Minor

(This minor is also available via the Division of Distance Education)

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

(See Business/Economics; Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Eastern Oregon University offers students the opportunity to study economic concepts and issues relevant to careers in business administration, education, resource management, and public service. In addition, students interested in graduate studies in Economics, or in pursuing a career as an economist with businesses or government agencies may specialize in Economics within the Business/Economics Program or the Philosophy, Politics and Economics Program.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

•Students will be able to apply economic theory and tools to current issues in group and individual research projects, showing mastery of, for example, the operation of the market system; the role of households, firms, and government in the market system; the operation of a mixed economy from an aggregate perspective; Keynesian and neoclassical economic theory and issues such as inflation, unemployment, international trade, government finance, economic growth, and the monetary system.

• Students will be able to present the results of their research orally and in writing.

MEANS OF ASSESSMENT

Assessment consists of written and oral components. Written assessment includes research projects, examinations, research papers, writing of book and article reviews, abstracts, and portfolios. Oral assessment includes group and individual oral presentations, consisting of research and synthetic learning evaluated by means of specific stated criteria.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR IN ECONOMICS

1. The minor will consist of the following:

a. 30 credit hours in economics, with at least 15 hours upper division.

b. Required lower division courses;

ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics (5)

ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (5)

c. A grade of “C-” or better for all courses applied toward the minor. Maintain a “C” (2.00) or better cumulative GPA in courses required for the major.

d. A minimum of ten credits applied to the minor must be completed at EOU.

ECONOMICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ECON 110- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00
Selected topics, terms and credits to be arranged.

ECON 115- Econ of Social Iss*S/HB Credits: 5.00

Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
An issue-oriented approach to the study of economic principles. Current important issues are used as vehicles for introducing basic economic concepts and principles that are then applied to those issues.

ECON 201- Microeconomics*S/HB Credits: 5.00

Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
A systematic investigation of the operation of a market system, focusing on the role of households, firms, and government in determining wages and prices. The tools of analysis from concentration of economic power, the distribution of income, and the role of government in a market system. Prerequisite: MATH 095. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

ECON 202- Macroeconomics*S/HB Credits: 5.00

Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
An analysis of the operation of a mixed economy from an aggregate perspective. Issues such as inflation, unemployment, international trade, government finance, economic growth, and the neoclassical economic theory. Prerequisite: MATH 095. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

ECON 210- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00

Selected topics, terms and credits to be arranged.

ECON 310- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00

Selected topics, terms and credits to be arranged.

ECON 318- Money & Banking Credits: 5.00

This course will acquaint the student with financial markets and institutions, the role of money in the economy, and the Federal Reserve System. We will pay particular attention to the market for money and how policy is determined and its affects on the economy. Prerequisite: ECON 202; STAT 315/316 or STAT 327 (all must be passed with a “C-” or better.

ECON 340- Managerial Econ Credits: 5.00

Case study approach to decisions involving productions optimization, cost minimization, resource allocation, pricing, demand analysis, long-range forecasting, and capital budgeting by public and private organization. Prerequisite: ECON 201; MATH 241; STAT 315/316 or STAT 327 (all must be passed with a “C-” or better.)

ECON 334- U.S. Economic Hist*S/HB Credits: 5.00

Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
The course examines the economic development of the United States from colonial times to the Civil War. It focuses on both long-term economic trends (such as economic growth and the development of labor and product markets) and the economic causes and consequences of particular events (the Revolution, the settlement of the West, the Civil War).

ECON 350- Public Policy*HB Credits: 5.00

New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
An evaluation of the American political system by following individual programs through their origins, design and formation, and implementation. Prerequisite: Any lower-division POLS course. (Cross-listed with POLS 350.)

ECON 375- Macroecon Theory Credits: 5.00

An intensive analysis of the functioning of the economy at the aggregate level. Issues such as inflation, unemployment, economic growth and the role of the government will be investigated as they affect the stability of the economy. Prerequisite: ECON 202; MATH 241; STAT 315/316 or STAT 327 (all must be passed with a “C-” or better.) Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 405- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 5.00

Guided individual studies of topics not otherwise offered in the economics curriculum. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 407- Seminar Credits: 5.00

This capstone seminar will focus on a topic that brings together all three disciplines in the PPE program. Students should be graduating seniors. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 409- Field Placement Credits: 1.00 TO 15.00

ECON 410- Selected Topics Credits: 2.00 TO 6.00

An in-depth study of a topic of interest to both students and faculty. There will be both a great deal of reading and a major written project. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 435- Public Finance Credits: 5.00

This course will focus on the efficiency, equity and stabilization impacts of public expenditure and revenue programs; with emphasis on problems and institutions at the national level. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 440- Intl Econ:Issues & Analy Credits: 5.00

Survey of the basic theoretical foundations and issues of international trade and finance. Comparative advantage, gains from trade, tariffs and other trade restrictions and policies, balance of payments and adjustments, exchange institutions. Examination of contemporary U.S. and world trade issues. Prerequisites: ECON 201, 202. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 470- Hist Econ Thought*S/HB Credits: 5.00

Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
(General Education: Social Science) An examination of the historical foundations of modern economic thought. The focus will be on writings and ideas of economists from Adam Smith to John Maynard Keynes and up through contemporary times. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 475- Environ Econ Credits: 5.00

Application of the tools from economic theory to the problems of pollution, resource depletion and population growth to determine the impact of man’s economic activity on the environment. Cost-benefit analysis will be used for a case-study of local concern. Prerequisite: ECON 201. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

ECON 481- American Labor & Unions Credits: 5.00

Economic analysis of the formation, growth, operation, and effects of unions in the U.S. economy; determination of wages and working conditions; human capital theory and the education and training of workers; discrimination and other policy toward labor markets. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.