Spring 2012 Course Descriptions

EC 101 Macroeconomics. One Unit. The cycle of boom and bust, of bubble and crash remains a permanent fixture of industrial economies. For two hundred years these cycles have been superimposed on rising affluence in Western, and now more recently, in Asian economies. This course explores the causes of growth and cycles from the perspectives of different schools of thought. In particular, the roles of monetary, fiscal, and regulatory policies will be examined in the light of the historical and recent economic performance of the United States and other industrial economies. Offered fall and spring semesters.

Jayne Dean (01) T,R 8:00 - 9:30 AM

Jayne Dean(02) T,R 9:40 - 11:10 AM

MaryRose Leacy(03) M,W 4:20 - 5:50 PM

EC 102 Microeconomics. One Unit. How does the market coordinate the buying and selling decisions of millions of consumers and businesses? How is the myriad of goods and services produced, as well as the incomes generated to buy them? This course examines the relationships between consumers, firms, markets, and government from orthodox and heterodox perspectives. It develops the economic analysis to understand the market economy. Topics that will be covered include demand, elasticity, supply, production and cost, and market structure. The markets for and utilization of labor, land, and capital are also examined. The role of government in securing the advantages of the market while mitigating its problems is also discussed. Offered fall and spring semesters.

Yanan Di (01) T,R 2:40 - 4:10 PM

EC 305 International Trade. This course will explore modern trade theory with a major emphasis on developing and using economic modeling to explain the rationale and direction of modern trade flows. A discussion of changes in current practices of commercial policy in the context of new information technology and geo-economic structures will be included as well as the new European Economic Community. Prerequisites: Economics 101 or 102. Offered spring semester.

MaryRose Leacy T,R 1:00-2:30 PM

EC 307 Health Economics. One Unit. This course provides an overview of the health care sector and how to apply the principles of economics to analyze it. Specifically, the course will cover the demand for and supply of health care services, the structure of health insurance and its impact on social welfare, with an emphasis on the peculiarities of the health care market, the causes of market failures and the need for government intervention. The U.S. health care system will be compared to those of other countries and the current health policy will be evaluated based on such criteria as efficiency and equity. Prerequisite: EC 101, 102 or permission of the instructor. Offered spring semester of even numbered years.

Yanan Di M,W 2:40 - 4:10 PM

EC 400 (SI) Senior Reflective Tutorial. This course will be offered in the spring concurrently with the capstone course in economic methodology. It is in this senior tutorial that students will develop and refine skills in applied economics, such as data collection, manipulation, mining and date organization that are required for a major research paper. The reflective aspect of the research process will be emphasized. There are two tracks students may choose to follow. They can complete a practicum in the field of economics or design and develop an empirical research project independently. In both, students will use a high level of empirical data analysis with at least two regression programs as well as keep a research diary. The RFT will provide a forum for students to meet collectively to share, reflect on and discuss their research or practicum with each other. They will be required to orally present at several stages of the senior thesis to economists from Wagner College and at Seminars in the Greater New York Area. To be taken in conjunction with EC 420.

Yanan Di TBA

EC 414 Economics of Discrimination (D). Large gaps in earnngs and differences in patterns of employment by race, gender, and ethnicity place many women and racial and ethnic minorities near or in poverty. Educational opportunities, access to healthcare, legal services, credit and housing, and eligibility for government programs can also differ systematically for members of different groups. This course explores these differences through readings, film, research projects, and field trips. In this process we will examine debates on the roles of biology, family, culture, and economic opportunity in generating inequality. Topics such as affirmative action and comparable worth will be discussed. Prerequisite: Economics 101 or 102. Offered alternate spring semesters

Jayne Dean M.W 4:20 - 5:50 PM

EC 420(SI) Economic Methodology and The History of Economic Thought. One Unit. This course will explore both the practical and theoretical ways of approaching research in economics. It will help students think about their research projects as well as include practice in the application of statistical and econometric techniques. Students will learn to reflect on the methodology in their research, to formulate testable hypotheses, and to manage data. Economic literacy both in written and verbal forms will be emphasized, with students completing a major research project. Prerequisites: Economics 101, 102, and either 301 or 302; Mathematics 108. To be taken in conjunction with Economics 421.

Mary Rose Leacy TBA

Economics Department

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