academic catalogue

2023-2024 Catalogue

Economics (ECO) Course Descriptions

ECO 102: Issues in Macroeconomics.
Goal: To acquaint students with the structural framework and principles involved in the determination of the level of aggregate economic activity: national income, output, employment, and price levels.
Content: Functioning of the economy from the national policy perspective through the study of national income and output, interest rates, money supply, price level, federal budget deficits, and international trade deficits.
Prerequisite: MAT 130 or higher.
Gen. Ed. Category: Exploring; Historical Events & Phenomena; (SBS/PS).
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 104: Issues in Microeconomics.
Goal: To acquaint students with theory relating to decision-making by consumers and firms in product markets.
Content: Study of choice in the face of scarce resources; the analysis of the consumer trying to maximize satisfaction and of the firm trying to maximize profits under varying market structures.
Prerequisite: MAT 130 or higher.
Gen. Ed. Category: Exploring; Individuals & Communities; (SBS/PS).
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 202: Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory.
Goal: To examine the economy-wide consequences of the choices we make, individually and collectively. A defining feature of macroeconomic events is interaction and interdependence, reflecting the linkages among decision-makers and among various segments of the economy that extend even to events and policies taking place in distant parts of the world.
Content: This course is a continuation of the study of the structural framework and principles involved in the determination of the level of aggregate economic activity. Primary emphasis is placed upon the development of models which explain the behavior of national income, output, employment, price levels and interest rates.
Prerequisites: ECO 102, ECO 104, and MAT 205.
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 204: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory.
Goal: To explore in greater detail the incentives which determine individual and firm behavior. We will do this by practicing the application of the microeconomic way of thinking. Introductory courses rely primarily on intuition and logic as the basis for theory; Intermediate courses develop theory from a more mathematical perspective.
Content: This course is a continuation of the study of the nature of decision making in markets. Primary emphasis is placed upon the development of models which explain the behavior of consumers and producers, the importance of market structures, and the appropriate role of the government.
Prerequisites: ECO 102, ECO 104, and MAT 205.
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 206: Economic Thought.
Goal: To familiarize students with the historical and philosophical foundations of economic thought.
Content: Students will study ethical and logistical roots of economic thought and their impact on the economic theory developed by Smith, Ricardo, Mill, Marx, Hayek and Keynes. The course will also explore the various concepts of freedom, and the extent to which capitalist and socialist economies satisfy these definitions of freedom.
Gen. Ed. Category: Exploring; Historical Events & Phenomena; (SBS/PS).
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 210: Women and Economic Development.
Goal: To study the impact of economic change on women by analyzing how age, sex and race hierarchies modify changes in women's roles in different societies of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Content: This course focuses on the effects of economic growth on the socioeconomic status of women. Most importantly, students will study the means by which patriarchy has persisted in various parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America by redefining itself, even as economies have modernized.
Gen. Ed. Category: Synthesizing Perspectives; Women's Experiences; (SBS/PS).
Cross-listed as: BUS 210 and WST 210.
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 300: Money and Banking.
Goal: To analyze and understand the rapidly changing financial market, emphasizing the role of money and banking institutions in the economic system.
Content: Analysis of money in the economic organization, monetary theory, methods of stabilizing the price level, theories of bank deposits, discount policy, and the regulation of credit by central banks and interest rates.
Prerequisites: ECO 102 and 104.
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 302: International Trade.
Goal: To study the theory of international trade with special emphasis on the gains from trade, the terms of trade, the balance of payments, foreign exchange rates, and international monetary systems.
Content: Examination of international economics from the standpoint of theory, with a special emphasis on several current topics: the growing economic strength of the Pacific Rim, Europe, and the rapidly changing economics of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Prerequisites: ECO 102 and ECO 104.
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 330: Econometrics.
Goal: This course provides an introduction to methods of quantitative analysis of economic data.
Content: This course reviews basic statistical methods and probability distributions. Topics include data management using professional statistical software applications, multiple regression analysis, hypothesis testing under conditions of multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, and serial correlation.
Prerequisites: ECO 102, ECO 104, and MAT 220.
Credit: 3 hours.

ECO 396: Special Topics in Economics.
Goal: To provide an opportunity for exploration of a topic not offered as part of the curriculum.
Content: Examination of special topics, problems, or issues in economics that seem particularly relevant to student needs and interests.
Prerequisite: Dependent on topic.
Credit: 3 hours. A student may take a maximum of 6 to 8 semester hours (2 courses) of special topics in any one field.

ECO 451: Directed Independent Study.
Goal: To provide the student with the opportunity for independent study, under careful supervision, of significant topics in economics selected in consultation with the instructor.
Content: Varies.
Prerequisites: Adequate coursework, as determined by the Department of Business and Economics, and permission of the faculty advisor.
Credit: 1-9 hours.

ECO 452/199: Field Study.
Goal: To provide the student with intensive, specialized work experience in the area of economics.
Content: Observation and participation in the work of economics professionals.
Prerequisites: Adequate coursework, as determined by the Department of Business and Economics, and permission of the faculty advisor.
Credit: 1-12 hours.

ECO 499: Honors Thesis (Fee required).
Prerequisites: Adequate coursework, as determined by the Department of Business and Economics, and permission of the faculty advisor.

Campus image

Calendar of Events

Wesleyan College is privileged to steward many arts and cultural events and share them with the community. Most are free and open to the public. Wesleyan art galleries are open M-F 1-5PM and on Wesleyan Market Saturdays from 10AM-2PM.

Event listing

Visit our Campus

Tour our beautiful 200-acre campus featuring Georgian architecture, lush green spaces, recreational facilities, residence halls, and worship center.

Vist Wesleyan Virtually

NCAA Division III Athletics

Wesleyan College is home to five NCAA Division III sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball. In addition, we offer an award-winning Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Equestrian program.

View More

Join our email list