Course Offerings
100. Economics Transfer Credit
Course credit in certain cases involving AP credit or transfer courses. The department chairperson assigns this credit when appropriate.
102. Workshop in Social Science Methods (II; 1, 0) Half course.
Covers basic introduction to research methods, skills, and ethics. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are covered. Offered as a prerequisite to summer research assistantship. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
103. Economic Principles and Problems (I and II; 3, 0)
General introduction to both macroeconomics and microeconomics, along with an introduction to economic history, international economics, and political economy. The course also examines the origin of economic ideas in the works of Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes, Karl Marx, and others.
201. Independent Study (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Individual study or project supervised by a member of the economics department typically resulting in the production of a long research paper. Prerequisites: ECON 103 and permission of the instructor.
220. Introduction to Public Policy (I or II; 3, 0)
Introduction to the study of public policy, including methods to identify social problems, analysis of the political process, policy analysis, and how individuals and institutions respond to policy using a variety of social science disciplines.
221. Money and Banking (II; 3, 0)
An examination of the role of money and the financial system in our economy, including the impact of Federal Reserve monetary policy. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Not open to students who have taken or plan to take ECON 328. Normally not open to students who have taken ECON 257.
222. Economic Topics (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Selected issues in economic theory or policy. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or permission of the instructor.
224. African Political Economy (I; 3, 0)
Analysis of topics in films and novels by Ousmane Sembene: pre-colonial history, colonialism, post-colonial independence, racial and gender oppression, worker exploitation, religious conflict, and modernization. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Crosslisted as WMST 224.
227. International Economics (I; 3, 0)
An examination of international economic relations today and of the theory used to analyze those trade and financial relations. Attention is given to the problems of government policy with respect to international issues. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or permission of the instructor. Not open to economics majors, who are advised to enroll in ECON 327, or students who have taken ECON 327.
231. Resources and the Environment (I; 3, 0)
This course will develop economic concepts to explain why well-intentioned individuals so often choose to abuse their own environment and stock of natural resources, and suggest and evaluate policies designed to remedy the situation. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or permission of the instructor.
235. African Economic Development (I; 3, 0)
A historical, institutional analysis of Sub-Saharan African economic, social, and political development. Primary emphasis will be on the analysis of the economic crisis facing the subcontinent since the late '70s and the structural adjustment programs that have been instituted to deal with the crisis. Prerequisite: ECON 103.
236. Unemployment and Poverty (I or II; 3, 0)
A study of the causes of unemployment and poverty in the United States and policies to generate full employment and eliminate poverty. Prerequisite: ECON 103 and/or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as WMST 236.
237. Health Politics and Health Policy (I; 3, 0)
History of health care delivery and financing in the United States and introduction to and evaluation of current topics in health policy. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or permission of the instructor. First- or second-year standing, others by permission.
238. Urban Economics (I or II; 3, 0)
Study of household and business location decisions and public policies aimed at congestion, pollution, and crime. Prerequisite: ECON 103. First- and second-year standing, others by permission.
245. Sports Economics (I; 3, 0)
The study of the economics of professional sport teams and leagues including ticket pricing, the market for broadcast rights, the effect of revenue sharing, and other league practices on the distribution of talent and players salaries, and government subsidies to stadiums. Prerequisites: ECON 103 and one semester of statistics.
253. Gender and Migration (II; 3, 0)
Role of gender in internal and international migration flows; economic restructuring; state policies; transnational domestic laborers and sex workers; and migration effects. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Crosslisted as WMST 253.
256. Intermediate Microeconomics (II; 3, 0)
Intermediate economic theory of the consumer, the firm, market structures, and resource allocation. Not open to students who have completed ECON 259. Prerequisite: ECON 103.
257. Intermediate Macroeconomics (I; 3, 0)
The study of national income, employment, inflation, interest rates, and the impact of monetary and fiscal policy on the economy. Prerequisite: ECON 103.
258. Intermediate Political Economy (I or II; 3, 0)
Intermediate study of Marxist and institutionalist political economy. The ideas of Marx and Veblen applied to such matters as the distribution of income and power, the environment, working conditions, consumerism, and race and gender issues. Prerequisite: ECON 103.
259. Intermediate Mathematical Microeconomics (II; 3, 0)
Intermediate microeconomic theory of the consumer, the firm, market structures, and resource allocation. Topics are introduced using differential calculus. Not open to students who have taken ECON 256. Prerequisites: ECON 103 and MATH 192 or MATH 201.
266. Political Economy of the Caribbean (II; 3, 0)
The development of the Caribbean from colonial times to the present. A look at the social, political, and economic development of the Caribbean as a whole rather than as independent aspects of development.
270. South Africa: Community and Identity (S; 15, 0)
The course examines the legacy of apartheid and the role of social entrepreneurship in transforming communities. Students will be placed in community organizations in nearby townships. Crosslisted as PSYC 270. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
271. The British Economy: Structures and Policies (I or II; 3, 0)
Offered as an option for Bucknell in London students. This course will treat a distinct topic relating to British economic affairs.
276. Latin American Economic Development (II; 3, 0)
A historical analysis of Latin America's economic and political development. Primary emphasis on the experiences of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Central America. May be crosslisted as IREL 278 and/or LAMS 365. Prerequisite: ECON 103.
277. The French Economy: Structures and Policies (II; 3, 0)
Analysis of government planning since 1945. The conflict of liberal and socialist ideologies today. Prerequisite: Bucknell en France students only.
280. Political Economy of Media and Advertising (I or II; 3, 0)
Examines the interrelationship of cultural, political, and economic aspects of media content and advertising from the perspective of institutional and Marxian political economy. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or permission of the instructor.
299. Teaching Assistant in ECON 103 (I or II; 3, 0)
This course can only be taken by economics majors who have permission. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259, ECON 257, and ECON 258 and permission of the instructor.
301. Independent Study (I or II; R)
Individual study or project, supervised by instructor. Prerequisites: ECON 256, ECON 257, ECON 258, or ECON 259 and permission of the instructor.
302. Honors Thesis in Economics (I; R; 3, 0)
Individual research, leading to an honors thesis in economics, undertaken by qualified students, and supervised by an instructor in the department of economics. This course may be repeated for credit for a second semester for those students completing the honors thesis in economics. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259, ECON 257, ECON 258, and permission of the instructor and University Honors Council.
305. Comparative Economic Systems (I or II; 3, 0)
A critical analysis of the organization of economic systems. The characteristics of selected capitalist and socialist economics studied and assessed from both mainstream and Marxian analytical perspectives. Prerequisite: ECON 258 or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
309. Globalization and Its Implications (II; 3, 0)
This course explores opposing economic views on globalization and its effect on the social, cultural, and environmental aspects of life in developed and developing countries. Prerequisites: junior or senior status; ECON 257 and 258. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
311. Labor Economics (I or II; 3, 0)
An examination of economic models related to labor markets, current labor market trends, and the influence of related government policies. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and one semester of statistics. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
312. Health Economics (II; 3, 0)
Theoretical and empirical examinations of issues in health economics. Course includes semester-long research project on a health topic. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and one semester of statistics or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
313. Public Finance (II; 3, 0)
An analysis of the government's role in the economy. Topics include the economic rationale for government, expenditure analysis, and the allocative and distributive consequences of taxation. Prerequisite: ECON 256 or ECON 259. It is strongly recommended that students have one semester of statistics. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
315. Population and Family Economics (I or II; 3, 0)
The course investigates the economic determinants and consequences of demographic changes in the context of both developing and developed countries. Topics include household formation and structure including marriage, divorce, dowry, and fertility. The course also examines son preference, investment in children, population aging, and altruism in the family. Prerequisites: MATH 216 or MATH 304 and ECON 256 or ECON 259. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
318. American Economic History (I and II; 3, 0)
An examination of the development and influence of American economic institutions from colonial to current times. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and ECON 257, or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
319. Economic History of Women in the United States (I; 3, 0)
Examination of the history of women in the U.S. economy, with particular attention to racial-ethnic and class differences among women. Both neoclassical economics and political economy are utilized to analyze the economic status of women. Prerequisites: ECON 256, ECON 257, ECON 258, or ECON 259 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as WMST 318. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
324. European Economic History (I; 3, 0)
Development of the market economy and its major institutions. The changing place of the economy in society. Prerequisites: at least one of the following: ECON 256, ECON 257, ECON 258, or ECON 259 and/or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
327. International Economic Theory (I; 3, 0)
Theoretical principles underlying international trade, investment, commercial policy, economic integration, adjustment mechanisms, and balance of payments policy will be examined with an application of these principles to current national and international policies. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and ECON 257, or concurrent enrollment. Not open to students who have taken ECON 227. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
328. Money and Financial Institutions (II; R; 3, 0)
An analysis of the role of the financial system in the U.S. economy. Topics include determinants of asset prices, risk management, and financial regulations. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and ECON 257 or concurrent enrollment and one semester of statistics. Not open to students who have taken ECON 221. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
329. Political Economy of Financial Crises (II; 3, 0)
This course will explore the causes and consequences of financial crises from macroeconomic perspectives, with most of the attention given to the recent financial crisis in the United States. Prerequisite: ECON 258 or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
331. Industrial Organization Economics (I; 3, 0)
Topics include market structure, industrial concentration, firm conduct, mergers, advertising, market performance, examined in the context of U.S. antitrust policy. Prerequisite: ECON 256 or ECON 259. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
333. Seminar in Economic Topics (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Guided discussion of economic issues. Topics to be announced at time of preregistration. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
336. Macroeconomic Policy (I; 3, 0)
A study of the effects of fiscal and monetary policies on economic stability and growth. Current and proposed policies will be analyzed. Prerequisites: ECON 257 and one semester of statistics. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
337. International Monetary and Financial Economics (II; 3, 0)
The course covers balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, international monetary systems, the adjustment mechanism, macroeconomic policy in an open economy and monetary integration. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and ECON 257 and ECON 327 or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
339. China and the World Economy (I; 3, 0)
An analysis of economic transition and development in China, with emphasis on its role in the Asia-Pacific and world economies. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and ECON 257 or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as EAST 339. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
341. Econometrics (II; 3, 0)
The application of statistical methods to quantify and test economic theories, analyze government policies, and forecast economic variables. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and ECON 257, and one semester of statistics or permission of the instructor.
357. Economic Development (I; 3, 0)
The main theories of development; economic and social dualism; agricultural, industrial, and trade strategies; the use of monetary and fiscal policies in promoting economic development; and the role of less developed countries in the emerging global economy. Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 259 and ECON 257 or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
358. Marxian Economics (I or II; 3, 0)
Examines the implications of class struggle on microeconomic competition, the distribution of value within and between firms, and macroeconomic instability accumulation and crises at the national and international level. Prerequisite: ECON 258. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
380. Marx on Media (A1 or AII; 3, 0)
Examines a number of media industries to critically examine the effects of capitalist competition on media content and industry dynamics from a Marxian perspective. Prerequisite: ECON 258 or permission of the instructor. Preference given to ECON and ECMA majors.
GEOG 209 and ANTH 266
Economic Geography and Economic Anthropology are acceptable for credit as economics courses.
Courses offered occasionally
326 History of Economic Thought, 330 Law and Economics, 338 Seminar in International Economics
