The Economics Program | Academic Requirements
B.A. Concentration in Business Economics | Senior Project
Minor in Economics | Courses | Faculty
The Economics Program: Courses
Lower level: 1000–1999 (freshman)
Lower level: 2000–2999 (sophomore)
Upper level: 3000–3999 (junior)
Upper level: 4000–4999 (senior)
Courses offered by the Long Island University Westchester Graduate Campus
Macroeconomic Theory I
ECO 1500 / 4 credits / Every semester
An introductory course on modern theory of the causes of unemployment, inflation, economic growth, and a strong or weak dollar. The course treats the economy as a system and examines the ways in which its behavior can be influenced by policy (e.g., the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve Board, fiscal policies of Congress and the Administration).
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the math proficiency requirement
Microeconomics I: The Principles of Human Action
ECO 1510 / 4 credits / Every semester
A practical introduction to the logic of human action with applications to daily life. This course traces the implication of choice in the face of scarcity and imperfect knowledge. Topics include the nature and value of cost, the spontaneous emergence of social order, demand-supply analysis, theory of markets, and public policy.
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the math proficiency requirement
Economics and Everyday Life
ECO 1540 / 4 credits / Every semester
Economics affects people in many ways, from how much they earn and consume to the work that they do. This course provides an overview of how the U.S. economy works, so that students can understand news, current events, and why economists often disagree. Topics include the impact of race and gender, the power of large corporations, business cycles, markets, advertising, the Federal Reserve, and America’s role in the global economy.
Arts and Entertainment in Economics
ECO 2085 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
A survey course that reviews economic and financial aspects of the film, music, performing arts, sports, radio, and broadcasting industries. Formerly ECO 2080/Entertainment Economics.
Political Economy of the Media
ECO 2090 / 4 credits / Every year
An overview of the global impact of the media, and its role in the U.S. political economy. Topics include important characteristics of the American economy; the size and significance of various media; the impact of the concentration of ownership in media industries; the growth and impact of advertising (including gender representations); and the impact of media on politics and social life.
Economies of Latin America
ECO 2223 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An overview of economic conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on competing strategies for national and regional development. Topics include the consequences of the region’s deepening immersion in the global economy; its investment, trade, and labor-market ties to the U.S. economy; and the roots of its principal socioeconomic conflicts.
Globalization: Film and Lecture Series
ECO 2225 / 4 credits / Spring
Does globalization, the dynamic force of the current global economy, promote or impede global development? Using films, lectures, and selective readings, this course examines the arguments for and against globalization. Topics may include the role of U.S. foreign policy in underdeveloped countries; the impact of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and global corporations; gender and development; the politics of global food production; the historical impact of colonialism and imperialism; cultural imperialism; and the nature of the current American empire.
Environmental Economics
ECO 2280 / 4 credits / Alternate years
Economics can help define, address, and solve many environmental problems. This course provides students with a set of conceptual tools that are useful in addressing environmental issues like pollution and pollution abatement, the conservation of natural resources, environmental regulation, and the political economy of environmentalism. Also offered as ENV 2280.
Prerequisite: ECO 1510
Recommended: A prior course in economics
Business Economics
ECO 2300 / 4 credits / Spring
This course provides the basic analytical tools that are helpful in guiding business and managerial decision-making in various kinds of markets. Topics include production and cost theory, competitive and monopolistic pricing, and how to interpret econometric and statistical data.
Prerequisite: ECO 1510
Labor Economics
ECO 2350 / 4 credits / Spring
Examines different theories of the labor market (neoclassical, institutional, feminist, and political economy) and the history of the labor movement in the U.S., including changes in labor law. Other topics include recent changes in the structure of labor markets, patterns of unionization, the role of gender, immigration, and the impact of changes in business organization on the labor movement.
Looking at Cities: Jane Jacobs and Beyond
ECO 2610 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Jane Jacobs is perhaps the most important intellectual figure and influence in urban planning in the second half of the 20th century. This course examines her writings on urban theory, ethics, and economics to help frame and understand contemporary urban issues. Also offered as ENV 2610.
Macroeconomic Theory II
ECO 3010 / 4 credits / Fall
A continuation of ECO 1500. Treating the entire economy as a system, contemporary economic theories are introduced to explain: what causes economic growth and a strong or weak dollar; how spending decisions interact with national money and bond markets to affect interest, inflation, and unemployment rates; and how economic performance in one country can affect other countries.
Prerequisite: ECO 1500, LWR 1110, and satisfaction of the math proficiency requirement
Cities, Culture, and the Economy
ECO 3100 / 4 credits / Fall
Is there a common set of social institutions or environments that gives rise to both successful urban economies and flourishing arts and culture? Proposing that such a set exists, this course attempts to identify it; traces its implications for cultural and economic development; and explores the interrelations of capitalism, cities, and culture. While areas of culture and society are addressed, the analytical framework is that of economics and political economy. Also offered as ENV 3100.
Prerequisite: ECO 1510
American Capitalism in the 21st Century:
Competition, Command, Change
ECO 3120 / 4 credits / Fall
What forces are shaping American capitalism in this century? Using a political economy perspective, this course explores some of these forces, including technology, class relations, the labor movement, the power of corporations, the position of the U.S. in the global economy, mergers/takeovers, the changing nature of work, the role of the household economy, recessions and expansions, and globalization and increased economic interdependence.
Prerequisite: ECO 1540
The Political Economy of Women
ECO 3150 / 4 credits / Spring
Traces the histories of various racial/ethnic groups of women in the U.S. Topics include the relationship between the property arrangements and culture of the Iroquois, the economics of slavery, the Salem witch trials, the traffic in mail-order brides, and the emergence of the second wave of the women’s liberation movement in the 1960s. Also offered as GND 3150.
Recommended prior courses: ECO 1540, GND 1520
Money and Banking
ECO 3190 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Details the history and functions of banks and financial institutions. Topics include the evolution of banking, the importance of banking in a community, the functions of banking (credit, deposit, and payment), the Federal Reserve System, and current issues and trends in the industry.
Prerequisite: ECO 1500
Financial Economics
ECO 3195 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Topics include the economic role of financial markets and the major financial institutions operating in these markets, principles of security pricing and portfolio management, security exchanges and investment banking, the capital asset pricing model, securitization, option pricing, and derivatives.
Prerequisite: ECO 1510
The Global Economy
ECO 3200 / 4 credits / Fall
A policy-oriented examination of current events in international economic relations. Topics include global economic interdependence; the politics and economics of U.S. trade policy; regional trading blocs; European monetary union; reform in transitional economies; U.S.-Japan and U.S.-E.U. economic relations; roles of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization; and debt burdens of developing countries. A background in economics is not required.
Microeconomics II: Tools for Problem Solving
ECO 3260 / 4 credits / Fall
Further elaboration and discussion of topics in microeconomics, including applications of decision-making under asymmetric information, market power, common law, politics, and the impact of time and uncertainty on choice.
Prerequisite: ECO 1510 or permission of instructor, and satisfaction of the math proficiency requirement
History of Economic Thought
ECO 3360 / 4 credits / Alternate years
Examines the evolution of economic thought from the late 19th century to the present. Topics include the rise of neoclassical theory, the Keynesian critique of orthodoxy, and the later revisions by Keynesians and post-Keynesians. Students may also examine recent contributions in the Marxian tradition.
Prerequisite: An introductory course in economics or permission of instructor
Political Economy of the Caribbean
ECO 3380 / 4 credits / Every year
Periodic bouts of inflation, economic stagnation, and an erosion of the social fabric characterize the contemporary Caribbean. This course connects seemingly disparate themes and posits the view that much of what is taking place today is best understood in the context of the history of the social classes and groups in the region.
Business, Government, and Society
ECO 3400 / 4 credits / Fall
An examination and critique of the U.S. government’s objectives and policies concerning business and other social institutions, from the perspective of their influence on individual incentives. Topics vary, but typically include public policies on poverty, urban planning, business, regulation, and antitrust.
Prerequisite: ECO 1510
Computers and Economics
ECO 3410 / 4 credits / Spring
A hands-on course devoted to acquiring basic computer skills in economic research, including econometric techniques like multiple regression analysis. Students become familiar with downloadable Web databases and some features of Microsoft Office applications. SPSS, a software program used in statistical analyses, is also introduced. Students design an individual research project, collect empirical data, test hypotheses, and make an end-of-term PowerPoint presentation of their research findings.
Prerequisite: A statistics course and an introductory course in economics
Wealth and Poverty in the Global Economy:
The Economic Development of the Third World
ECO 3500 / 4 credits / Spring
Patterns of development in the global economy, especially the problems faced by underdeveloped countries, are explored. Topics include the historical role of colonialism and imperialism; theories of economic development; policy issues that focus on the role of gender; and the debates about free trade and the roles of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and foreign aid and investment.
Recommended prior course: ECO 1500, 1510, or 1540
Independent Study and Tutorial
ECO 3900 and 4900 / 1–4 credits / Every semester
Faculty are available for independent study and tutorials on a selected basis in areas not covered by coursework. This may also involve teaching and research assistantships.
Economics Internship
ECO 3980 / variable credits / Every semester
This internship provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in the business or nonprofit organization of their choice. Required for students majoring in economics with a concentration in business economics.
ECO 4800–4807 Refer to LIU Courses for information.
Economics Senior Seminar I and II
ECO 4880 and 4890 / 2 credits (per semester) / I: Fall; II: Spring
This required, two-semester seminar assists seniors in undertaking the research and writing of their senior thesis. It focuses on the fundamentals of producing a good senior thesis, selected current issues in economic theory and policy that may be relevant to the research topics chosen by students, research tools available to those conducting economic research, and improvement of writing skills.
Corequisite: ECO 4990
Independent Study and Tutorial
ECO 4900 Refer to ECO 3900 for description.
Senior Project in Economics
ECO 4990 / 4 credits (per semester) / Every semester
Students are required to submit a senior project in order to complete the major in economics. Students work with individual faculty members to develop a project design that focuses on some substantive or methodological problem in economics. Must be taken for two semesters (8 credits total).
Corequisite: ECO 4880 (Fall) and 4890 (Spring)
The following courses are offered by the Long Island University Westchester Graduate Campus (LIU, www.liu.edu/cwis/west/) through an articulation agreement with Purchase College. Enrollment is limited to students majoring in economics and permission of instructor is required. For descriptions of these courses, please contact LIU.
ECO 4800/Financial Accounting
ECO 4801/Corporate Financial Management
ECO 4802/Principles of Management and Leadership
ECO 4803/Marketing Management
ECO 4804/Money, Banking, and Capital Markets
ECO 4805/Managerial Communications
ECO 4806/Business Statistics
ECO 4807/Fundamentals of Management Information Systems
Updated July 24, 2008