Economics (ECON)

Raja Kali
Department Chair
402 Business Building
479-575-ECON (3266)
Economics Department Website

The department of economics offers two concentrations within the business economics major:

  1. Business Economics
  2. International Economics and Business.

The concentration in business economics is intended for those students who are interested primarily in business, but at the same time have a desire to understand the more advanced tools of economic analysis. Such a background is excellent preparation for careers in corporate research and planning, as well as careers with government and regulatory agencies, for graduate study in business and economics, and for law school. Students who want to pursue an advanced degree in business economics can, with appropriate planning, complete a master’s degree at the University of Arkansas within 12 months after receiving a B.S.B.A. degree. Please see the economics department chair for more information.

The international economics and business concentration is intended for students who wish to learn more about the international aspects of economics and business. It provides preparation for a broad range of careers in business, including management, marketing, and finance.

It is strongly recommended that economics majors who plan to continue their studies at the graduate level take at least two semesters of calculus (MATH 24004 and MATH 25004) and linear algebra (MATH 30803). These courses will substitute for the math courses required within Walton College core (MATH 22003 and MATH 20503).

Economics Minors for Business Students

The Department of Economics offers two minors for Walton College students desiring more knowledge of economics to assist them in their business careers. The minors require completion of 15 hours of study and all of the upper division courses applied toward the minor must be taken in residence.

Courses

ECON 21003. Principles of Macroeconomics (ACTS Equivalency = ECON 2103). 3 Hours.

Macroeconomic analysis, including aggregate employment, income, fiscal and monetary policy, growth and business cycles. Credit will be allowed for only one of ECON 21003 and AGEC 21003. Prerequisite: MATH 11003 or higher, or a score of 26 on the math component of the ACT exam, or 600 on the math component of the old SAT or 620 on the math component of the new SAT. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)
This course is cross-listed with AGEC 21003.

ECON 210H3. Honors Principles of Macroeconomics. 3 Hours.

Macroeconomic analysis, including aggregate employment, income, fiscal and monetary policy, growth and business cycles. Credit will be allowed for only one of ECON 210H3 and AGEC 21003. Prerequisite: MATH 11003 or higher or a score of 26 on the math component of the ACT exam, or 600 on the math component of the old SAT or 620 on the math component of the new SAT, and honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is cross-listed with ECON 21003, AGEC 21003.

ECON 21403. Basic Economics: Theory and Practice. 3 Hours.

Surveys basic micro, macro principles and analytical tools needed to study contemporary economic problems such as inflation, unemployment, poverty, and pollution. Walton College majors are not eligible to register for the course. No degree credit for Walton College majors. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ECON 214H3. Honors Basic Economics: Theory and Practice. 3 Hours.

Surveys basic micro, macro principles and analytical tools needed to study contemporary economic problems such as inflation, unemployment, poverty, and pollution. Not open to students majoring in Economics or Business Administration. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)
This course is equivalent to ECON 21403.

ECON 22003. Principles of Microeconomics (ACTS Equivalency = ECON 2203). 3 Hours.

Microeconomic analysis, including market structures, supply and demand, production costs, price and output, and international economics. Credit will be allowed for only one of ECON 22003 and AGEC 11003. Prerequisite: MATH 11003 or higher, or a score of at least 26 on the math component of the ACT exam, or a score of at least 600 on the math component of the old SAT or 620 on the math component of the new SAT. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)
This course is cross-listed with AGEC 11003.

ECON 220H3. Honors Principles of Microeconomics. 3 Hours.

Microeconomic analysis, including market structures, supply and demand, production costs, price and output, and international economics. Credit will be allowed for only one of ECON 220H3 and AGEC 11003. Prerequisite: MATH 11003 or higher, or a score of 26 on the math component of the ACT exam, or 600 on the math component of the old SAT or 620 on the math component of the new SAT, and honors standing. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is cross-listed with ECON 22003, AGEC 11003.

ECON 30303. Microeconomic Theory. 3 Hours.

Nature, scope, and purpose of economic analysis; theories of demand, production, cost, firm behavior, allocation of resources, etc., in a market-oriented system. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or (ECON 21403) and (MATH 22003 or MATH 24004). (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ECON 30503. Economics for Elementary Teachers. 3 Hours.

For students who plan to become teachers in elementary schools. Acquaints students with basic concepts and functioning of the American economic system. Walton College majors are not eligible to register for the course. No degree credit for Walton College majors. Recommended to be completed in the fall semester of junior year. Prerequisite: 40 hours of completed course work. (Typically offered: Fall)

ECON 30603. Economics for Secondary Educators. 3 Hours.

Economics for Secondary Educators teaches basic economics understandings equipping students to make sound economics decisions as consumers, investors, voters and savers. Lessons and activities appropriate for secondary classes will be demonstrated. The course will survey materials available for government, economics, world and U.S. history, environmental science, language arts, business education, personal finance and entrepreneurship classes. Walton College majors are not eligible to register for the course. No degree credit for Walton College majors. Recommended to be completed in the fall semester of junior year. Prerequisite: 40 hours of completed course work. (Typically offered: Irregular)

ECON 31303. Macroeconomic Theory. 3 Hours.

Theoretical determinations of national aggregate employment, income, consumption, investment, price level, etc. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403) and ((MATH 22003 or MATH 24004)). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ECON 31403. Economics of Poverty and Inequality. 3 Hours.

This course provides the study of how labor markets work and how economic institutions and policy affect labor market outcomes. Topics include changes to the modern economy including forces like globalization and technical advances and how such forces have altered incomes, wealth and social mobility. The course will provide a clearer understanding of the trends, the reasoning behind the trends, and the impact of social policy on the welfare of the American worker. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Fall)

ECON 3300V. Economics Study Abroad. 3-6 Hour.

Open to undergraduate students studying abroad in officially sanctioned programs in Economics in the Walton College. Topics vary by location of study abroad opportunities. To be eligible for credit, students must have junior standing and Walton College majors must have completed all pre-business requirements prior to studying abroad. Prerequisite: Departmental consent, Junior standing and completion of pre-business course requirements, each with a grade of C or better, a pre-business cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and an overall GPA of 2.5 or better. (Typically offered: Irregular)

ECON 33303. Public Economics. 3 Hours.

Governmental functions, revenues; tax shifting, incidence; public expenditures, their effects; and fiscal policy. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Irregular)

ECON 34303. Money and Banking. 3 Hours.

Financial history; theory and practice of financial institutions; monetary policy in theory and practice. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Irregular)

ECON 35303. Labor Economics. 3 Hours.

Economic analysis of labor markets. Topics include analysis of labor demand and supply; human capital investment; wage differentials; discrimination; economic effects of labor unions and collective bargaining; public sector labor markets; unemployment; and labor market effects on inflation. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Irregular)

ECON 36303. Economics of Advertising. 3 Hours.

An examination of how economists define and categorize types of products and advertising campaigns. Alternative views of advertising -- persuasive vs. informative -- are discussed. Models of the relationship between advertising and sales, profits, market structure, product quality, and price are examined. Prerequisite: ECON 22003 or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Irregular)

ECON 38403. Economics of the Developing World. 3 Hours.

Examine theories and patterns of economic development in emerging economies. The role of the World Bank and IMF as multilateral lenders and examination of their success and failures in fostering development. Measures of poverty and inequality and their implications for economic development. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ECON 38503. Emerging Markets. 3 Hours.

An analysis of the business and economic environment in emerging countries; focusing in Latin America, South East Asia and Transition Economies. The topics and issues covered include market structure and market failures, financial and legal background, current institutions and political economy issues, and current business opportunities. Prerequisite: ECON 21403; or ECON 21003 and ECON 22003. (Typically offered: Fall)

ECON 39303. The Japanese Economic System. 3 Hours.

This class presents essential facts about the Japanese economy and then subjects them to modern economic analyses. Japanese institutions and policies are contrasted with their American counterparts, and these economies are compared in terms of performance. Current issues including contemporary economic conditions and US - Japanese trade relations are also examined. Pre- or Corequisite: ECON 22003. Prerequisite: ECON 21003 or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Spring)

ECON 399HV. Honors Course. 1-3 Hour.

Honors thesis research and writing under the direction of a faculty member in the department. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

ECON 400H3. Honors Economics Colloquium. 3 Hours.

Explores events, concepts and/or new developments in the field of Economics. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (Typically offered: Fall)

ECON 4100V. Special Topics in Economics. 1-6 Hour.

Covers special topics in economics not available in other courses. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

ECON 410HV. Honors Special Topics in Economics. 1-6 Hour.

Covers special topics in economics not available in other courses. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
This course is equivalent to ECON 4100V.

ECON 41703. Nation Model United Nations. 3 Hours.

This class is designed to prepare students for their participation in a Nation Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference. The NMUN Conference is sponsored by The National Collegiate Conference Association (NCCA), which is the largest college-level Model United Nations conference. This course is designed to advance the research skills of the students by requiring extensive background position papers covering various economic and social issues of their assigned committee and ultimately preparing resolution documents they develop during the conference. They will present their positions via speeches and in caucus settings. This course will broaden the students' international perspective while they gain a thorough understanding of the primary activities of the United Nations. Prerequisite: Junior standing and departmental consent. (Typically offered: Fall) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

ECON 43303. Economics of Organizations. 3 Hours.

An economic perspective on the design of organizations. Applies developments in game theory and contract theory to analyze the role of information and incentives within and between firms. Covers the boundaries of firms, integration and outsourcing, authority and incentives, and alternative organizational structures in an evolving business environment. Prerequisite: ECON 30303. (Typically offered: Fall)

ECON 44203. Behavioral Economics. 3 Hours.

Both economics and psychology systematically study human judgment, behavior, and well-being. This course surveys attempts to incorporate psychology into economics to better understand how people make decisions in economic situations. The course will cover models of choice under uncertainty, choice over time, as well as procedural theories of decision making. Prerequisite: ECON 30303. (Typically offered: Fall)

ECON 44303. Experimental Economics. 3 Hours.

The course offers an introduction to the field of experimental economics. Included are the methodological issues associated with developing, conducting, and analyzing controlled laboratory experiments. Standard behavioral results are examined and the implications of such behavior for business and economic theory are explored. Prerequisite: ECON 22003 or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Spring)

ECON 4500V. Independent Study. 1-6 Hour.

Permits students on individual basis to explore selected topics in economics. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

ECON 46303. International Trade. 3 Hours.

Problems of the international economy from a microeconomic perspective. Topics include analysis of the pattern and content of trade; trade in factors of production; and the applications of trade theory to the study of trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ECON 46403. International Macroeconomics and Finance. 3 Hours.

Problems of the international economy from a macroeconomic perspective. Topics include national income accounting and the balance of payments; exchange rates and the foreign exchange markets; exchange rate policy; macroeconomic policy coordination; developing countries and the problem of 3rd world debt; and the global capital market. Prerequisite: (ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or ECON 21403. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ECON 47403. Introduction to Econometrics. 3 Hours.

Introduction to the application of statistical methods to problems in economics. Prerequisite: ((ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or (ECON 21403)) and ((MATH 22003 or (MATH 24004 or higher)) and (BUSI 10303 or MATH 21003 or INEG 23104 or STAT 30133). (Typically offered: Spring)

ECON 47503. Forecasting. 3 Hours.

The application of forecasting methods to economics, management, engineering, and other natural and social sciences. The student will learn how to recognize important features of time series and will be able to estimate and evaluate econometric models that fit the data reasonably well and allow the construction of forecasts. Prerequisite: ((ECON 21003 and ECON 22003) or (ECON 21403)) and (MATH 22003 or (MATH 24004 or higher)) and (BUSI 10303 or MATH 21003 or INEG 23104 or STAT 30133). (Typically offered: Fall)

ECON 47603. Economic Analytics. 3 Hours.

This course provides an overview of modern statistical learning methods, including Machine Learning, for senior economics or business majors, along with hands-on experience of in-depth analytics projects using real data. Students will use the most advanced Machine Learning libraries available in Python, R and MATLAB to gather and organize data as well as to train, validate and test their empirical models. Knowledge of statistical software is recommended. Pre- or Corequisite: ECON 47403 or ISYS 41903. (Typically offered: Fall)