Economics Courses (ECO)

ECO 1110. Economics Inquiry (3). An introductory analysis of the market economy, focusing upon the principles, processes, and institutions that influence economic behavior. This course does not satisfy B.B.A. requirements.

ECO 1895-4895. Special Topics  (1-3).

ECO 1990-4990. Independent Study (1-3).

ECO 2210. Principles of Macroeconomics (3). An introductory course in macroeconomic theory. Primary emphasis is placed upon the study of economic aggregates. Topics to be studied include: the basic operation of a market economy; national income accounting, the determination of employment, output, and the price level; the banking system, fiscal, monetary, and supply-side economic policies.

ECO 2220. Principles of Microeconomics (3). An introductory course in microeconomic theory. Primary emphasis is placed upon the study of the behavior of individual decision-making units. Topics to be studied include: demand and supply analysis, the theory of consumer behavior, the theory of the firm, market structures and resource allocation, and resource price-employment determination.

ECO 2450. Current Issues in Economics (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. This course studies a number of contemporary issues surrounding business and public policy.

ECO 3000. Labor Economics (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. An extension of economic principles to labor markets. Primary emphasis is placed on household and firm decision-making units within the labor market. Topics to be studied include: labor demand and supply, wage differentials, minimum wage legislation, unemployment, investment in human capital, worker mobility, effects of labor unions, gender, race, and ethnicity in the labor market, and earnings inequality.

ECO 3100. Economic & Business Forecasting (3). Prerequisites: MTH 1140 or MTH 1150; and ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. The course is designed to introduce students to forecasting employing basic statistics tools and statistical software. Students will be exposed to various business data resources and will learn how to manage data for both research and forecasting purposes.  The course will cover several forecasting techniques widely used in business and economic analysis and will allow students to gain experience at building and evaluating different forecasts.

ECO 3130. Topics in Economics and Public Policy (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. A detailed study in a topic of special interest in economics.

ECO 3220. Money and Banking (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. The course is an introduction to money, monetary policy and banking.  The changing U.S. financial environment and the influence of the monetary policy on interest rates, prices and the overall level of economic activity are covered.  The aim is to provide students with an overview of the U.S. financial and banking system and an understanding of the theory and practice of monetary policy.

ECO 3230. Area Studies in Economics (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. A study focused upon economic issues in selected world regions, such as Asia, Europe and Latin America.

ECO 3260. Intermediate Macroeconomics (3). Prerequisite: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. An extension of ECO 2210 designed to provide students with a richer treatment of modern macroeconomic principles and policy. Topics include national income and employment determination, unemployment and inflation, economic growth theory and policy, monetary and fiscal policy, and the influence of international trade and trade policy on the U.S. economy.

ECO 3270. Intermediate Microeconomics (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. An extension of ECO 2220, designed to provide students with a firm grasp of modern microeconomic principles and their application. Topics include consumer behavior and demand analysis, production and cost analysis, resource price and employment determination, market structure and performance, and the influence of public policy on industry performance.

ECO 3310.  Healthcare Economics (3).  Prerequisites: ECO 2220.  This course will guide students to understand how economic principles apply to the market for healthcare.  Topics of study will include cost-benefit analysis, the market for insurance, the pharmaceutical industry, the private markets for physicians and hospital services, and the potential roles for government in healthcare.  The course will include a brief survey of alternate healthcare delivery systems and models for reform.

ECO 3350. Sports Economics (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. Using the tools of economic analysis, this course will examine issues pertaining to professional and amateur sports. Topics to be covered include: demand and supply, market structure, firm cost and revenue structure, labor markets and unions, government policy in the sport industry, and the market for sports broadcast rights.

ECO 3660. Multinational Business and Government (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. An introduction to the study of interactions between business and government from a comparative and public policy perspective.  Special emphasis will be placed on issues involving industry regulation/deregulation, antitrust/competition, innovation/industrial policy, and global trade/investment.

ECO 3800. Comparative Economic Systems (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. This course investigates the organization of economic systems in the world's major industrialized nations. Through comparative analysis of social, private sector, and governmental institutions, students learn the strengths and weaknesses of national economies. The economics of China, the European Union, Japan and the Commonwealth of Independent States are the primary areas of interest for this course. Particular emphasis is placed upon the impact of globalization in each economy.
Gen. Ed. designation: GS (G - Global Studies).

ECO 3900. The Chinese Economy (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. An overview of the structure and transformation of the Chinese economic system from 1949 to present day with emphasis on the business environment since 1979. Topics include: government and regulatory oversight, privatization of State-owned enterprises, strategies for commercial success, World Trade Organization influence, growth of inward and outward investment, international merchandise and services trade, and global resource demand.

ECO 3950, 4950. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

ECO 4000. Internship in Economics (1-3). Prerequisite: Approval of Economics Faculty Coordinator. A coordinated learning experience focused upon providing students with practical training in business or government. One semester hour of credit will be awarded for every four to five hours of work per week. A maximum of three semester hours may be applied toward the economics major or minor.

ECO 4010. Capital Internship in Economics (6). Prerequisite: Approval of Economics Faculty Coordinator and permission of the Capital Internship Liaison. Students who have been admitted to an approved internship program will complete a full-term internship in a government office or agency in Nashville or Washington, D.C.

ECO 4100. Quantitative Analysis for Economists (3). Prerequisites: MTH 1140 or MTH 1150 and ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. This course is designed to introduce basic econometric principles as an essential tool for economic analysis.  Probability concepts along with simple linear and multiple regression techniques will be the primary focus of the course.  Students will become skilled at using computer software as one of the most powerful tools to perform business research and will gain knowledge of research skills that can be applied in their professional careers or graduate studies.

ECO 4200. History of Economic Thought (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. A study in the development of economic thought from ancient to modern times with primary emphasis on the Classical, Neo-classical, and Keynesian periods.

ECO 4330. International Capital Markets (3). Prerequisites/Corequisites: FIN 3210, INB 3300 or permission of instructor. This course analyzes the key financial markets and instruments that facilitate international trade and investment activity. The economic determinants of exchange rates in the major financial markets are studied and the financial tools and techniques used to manage exchange rate exposure by the firm are identified and explored.

ECO 4400. International Economics (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. An examination of the special problems and issues surrounding the economic interaction of sovereign nations. Topics include gains from trade, patterns of trade, balance of payments, determination of exchange rates, free trade and protectionism, international capital markets, and issues in international policy coordination.
Gen. Ed. designation: GS (G - Global Studies).

ECO 4450. Special Topics in Economics (3). This course offers the student an opportunity to explore and study a special current economics topic not covered in other economics courses.

ECO 4500. Global Managerial Economics (3). Prerequisite: ECO 2220. Studies the application of economic principles to managerial decision-making within the context of the global environment.  Topics included demand and cost analysis, production principles and analysis, measurement and analysis of profits, pricing principles and practices, supply chain management considerations, trade finance options and the influence of market structure on business decisions for enterprises in the United States and the wider international community.

ECO 4700. Economic Growth and Development (3). Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220. A survey of contemporary economic theories on the determinants of national economic welfare with particular emphasis placed on overcoming the challenges confronting developing countries. Course provides a historical, socio-political, theoretical, and institutional context for discussing poverty, wealth, capital accumulation, and international aid.