SDSU General Catalog 2009-2010 195
ECON
Economics
In the College of Arts and Letters
OFFICE: Nasatir Hall 305
TELEPHONE: 619-594-1675 / FAX: 619-594-5062
Faculty
Emeritus: Anderson, Babilot, Barckley, Boddy, Clement, Gifford,
Green, Hambleton, Kartman, Leasure, Madhavan, Nam, Popp,
Poroy, Sebold, Steinberg, Stewart, Turner, Venieris
Chair: Lee
Professors: Adler, Amuedo-Dorantes, Frantz, Gerber, Grossbard,
Lee, Thayer
Associate Professors: Balsdon, Hilmer, C., Hilmer, M., Imazeki
Assistant Professors: Foad, Nuntramas, Puttitanun, Shahriar
Offered by the Department
Master of arts degree in economics.
Major in economics with the B.A. degree in liberal arts and sciences.
Emphasis in international economics.
Emphasis in preprofessional studies.
Minor in economics.
The Major
Economics is the science which studies the production, distribution,
and consumption of goods and services. Economics majors explore how
producers, distributors, and consumers make their decisions. Majors
also analyze the events that shape and result from these decisions.
Inflation, unemployment, taxation, money and banking, efficiency, inter-
national exchange, and growth are some of the many parts of this
complex system studied through the economics major at SDSU.
The Department of Economics offers two emphases which
students may select to satisfy a wide range of career goals: (1) Inter-
national Economics, where students can focus on worldwide
economic policy and global business; and (2) Preprofessional
Studies, in which students prepare for graduate study in law school,
health administration, and business administration. A specialization in
Quantitative Analysis is also offered which focuses on developing ana-
lytical and mathematical skills for conducting economic research. A
fourth option is the comprehensive program offered in the general
economics major, which provides breadth by covering areas from the
emphases and specialization.
Economics majors may find employment in government, financial
institutions, business, and international agencies. The combination of
an economics major with a business minor provides a foundation for a
variety of careers. And, students interested in studying the developing
nations, the environment, government policies, or population will find
that economics is a useful approach.
Many entry-level positions in business and government are
available to students with a bachelor’s degree in economics. A
graduate may find employment as a research, statistical, data, or
pricing analyst. There are management trainee positions with banks,
savings and loan associations, or other lending institutions.
Economics majors may also be employed as sales representatives for
firms which produce both “high tech” and consumer-related goods. A
student contemplating graduate study in the field of economics should
consider a career as an economics consultant, or as an economist for
banks, investment companies or industry.
Impacted Program
The economics major is an impacted program. To be admitted to
the economics major, students must meet the following criteria:
a. Complete with a grade of C or higher: Economics 101, 102;
Accountancy 201; Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250; one
course selected from Mathematics 120, 121, or 150; Informa-
tion and Decision Systems 180; Sociology 200A. These
courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC); except for
courses taught as Cr/NC only;
b. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.40 or higher;
c. To be admitted to the emphasis in international economics
(major code 22042), students must, in addition to satisfying the criteria
above, also satisfy the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts
degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences.
To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements
for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are
accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).
Advising
All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their
department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet
with their department adviser within the first two semesters after decla-
ration or change of major.
Major Academic Plans (MAPs)
Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses
needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs Web site was
created to help students navigate the course requirements for their
majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a
major preparation course requirement.
Economics Major
With the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
(Major Code: 22041)
All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must
complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this
catalog on “Graduation Requirements.” No more than 48 units in
economics courses can apply to the degree.
A minor is not required with this major.
Senior Survey. All majors will complete an online survey assessing
their experiences in the department and educational outcomes in the
major. Students answer the survey online at the Department of
Economics Web page. The survey, which is a department require-
ment, must be completed during the student’s final semester.
Preparation for the Major. Economics 101, 102; Accountancy
201; Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250; one course selected from
Mathematics 120, 121, or 150; Information and Decision Systems 180;
Sociology 200A. (19-20 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for
courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C
or higher.
Language Requirement. Competency (successfully completing
the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one
foreign language to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section
of catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. Passing the
Writing Proficiency Assessment with a score of 10 or above or com-
pleting one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a
grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for
a complete listing of requirements.
Economics
196 SDSU General Catalog 2009-2010
Major. A minimum of 27 upper division units to include Economics
301, 320, 321, and 18 units of electives. At least six units of electives
selected from the international group: Economics 330, 360, 365, 463,
464, 489, 561, 565, 592. Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596;
maximum three units of 499; and maximum three units of 495 may be
applied to the major. Units of 495, 496, 499, 596 may be counted
towards the international group requirement as approved by adviser.
Emphasis in International Economics
(Major Code: 22042)
Senior Survey. All majors will complete an online survey assessing
their experiences in the department and educational outcomes in the
major. Students answer the survey online at the Department of
Economics Web page. The survey, which is a department require-
ment, must be completed during the student’s final semester.
Preparation for the Major. Economics 101, 102; Accountancy
201; Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250; one course selected from
Mathematics 120, 121, or 150; Information and Decision Systems 180;
Sociology 200A. (19-20 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for
courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C
or higher.
Language Requirement. Successful completion of a course in a
foreign language at the fourth semester or higher level, that is, one
course beyond the B.A. language requirement. Students who have
graduated from high school in another country where the language of
instruction is not English have met the language requirement for this
major.
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. Passing the
Writing Proficiency Assessment with a score of 10 or above or com-
pleting one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a
grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for
a complete listing of requirements.
Study/Internship Abroad Requirement. Completion of a study
abroad or internship abroad of at least 12 units of coursework or six
units of the internship course in another nation. Students may also
choose to complete a combination of nine units of study and three
units of the internship abroad. Students who have graduated from high
school outside the U.S. meet this requirement by studying at SDSU.
Major. A minimum of 33 upper division units (27 units in economics
and six to seven units from the College of Business Administration) to
include Economics 301, 320, 321.
A. At least 12 units of electives must be selected from the interna-
tional group: Economics 330, 360, 365, 463, 464, 489, 561,
565, 592.
B. Up to six units of electives may be selected from Economics 311,
338, 349, 380, 382, 401, 406, 422, 441, 449W, 452, 453, 454,
458, 489, 490.
Six to seven units selected from Finance 323 and 329, or Manage-
ment 350 and 357, or Marketing 370 and 376.
Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596 and maximum three
units of 499 may be substituted into A or B as appropriate with
approval of adviser except for Economics 360, 561, or 592. Maximum
three units of 495 may be substituted into A with appropriate interna-
tional content as approved by adviser.
Emphasis in Preprofessional Studies
(Major Code: 22041)
Senior Survey. All majors will complete an online survey assessing
their experiences in the department and educational outcomes in the
major. Students answer the survey online at the Department of
Economics Web page. The survey, which is a department require-
ment, must be completed during the student’s final semester.
Preparation for the Major. Economics 101, 102; Accountancy
201; Economics 201 or Statistics 119 or 250; one course selected from
Mathematics 120, 121, or 150; Communication 160; Information and
Decision Systems 180; Sociology 200A. (22-23 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for
courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C
or higher.
Language Requirement. Competency (successfully completing
the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one
foreign language to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section
of catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. Students must
have fulfilled the Writing Proficiency Assessment with a score of 8 or
above before taking Economics 449W, or English 508W or 584W, or
Linguistics 305W, or Rhetoric and Writing Studies 305W or 500W or
508W, or Chicana and Chicano Studies 396W and earn a grade of C
(2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete
listing of requirements.
Major. A minimum of 30 upper division units in economics to
include Economics 301, 320, 321, Finance 323, and 18 units of
electives in economics.
A. At least 12 units selected from the preprofessional group: Eco-
nomics 311, 338, 349, 380, 382, 401, 406, 422, 441, 449W, 452,
453, 454, 458, 490.
B. At least three units of electives selected from the international
group: Economics 330, 360, 365, 463, 464, 489, 561, 565, 592.
Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596 may be substituted
as upper division elective with approval of adviser. Maximum three
units of 495 and maximum three units of 499 may be substituted into A
with appropriate preprofessional content as approved by adviser.
Specialization in Quantitative Analysis
Senior Survey. All majors will complete an online survey assessing
their experiences in the department and educational outcomes in the
major. Students answer the survey online at the Department of
Economics Web page. The survey, which is a department require-
ment, must be completed during the student’s final semester.
Preparation for the Major. Economics 101, 102; Economics 201
or Statistics 119 or 250; Accountancy 201; Mathematics 150; Informa-
tion and Decision Systems 180; Sociology 200A. (20 units)
These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; except for
courses taught as Cr/NC only. The minimum grade in each class is C
or higher.
Language Requirement. Competency (successfully completing
the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one
foreign language to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section
of catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. Passing the
Writing Proficiency Assessment with a score of 10 or above or com-
pleting one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a
grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for
a complete listing of requirements.
Major. A minimum of 27 upper division units in economics to
include Economics 301, 320, 321, 441, 507, and 12 units of upper
division economics electives, with at least six units at the 400 or 500
level. Maximum nine units of Economics 496 or 596 may be substi-
tuted as upper division elective with approval of adviser. Maximum
three units of 495 and maximum three units of 499 may be substituted
as upper division elective with appropriate quantitative content as
approved by adviser.
Economics Minor
The minor in economics consists of a minimum of 18 units in
economics to include Economics101 and 102, and 320 or 321, and at
least nine units of electives selected from one of the following tracks:
International Economics: Economics 330, 360, 365, 463, 464, 489,
561, 565, 592. A maximum of three units of Economics 495, 496, and
499 may be used to satisfy the nine unit elective requirement with prior
permission from the department.
Preprofessional Studies: Economics 311, 338, 349, 380, 382, 401,
406, 422, 449W, 452, 453, 454, 458, 490. A maximum of three units of
Economics 495, 496, and 499 may be used to satisfy the nine unit
elective requirement with prior permission from the department.
Quantitative Analysis: Economics 301, 441, 507. A maximum of three
units of Economics 495, 496, and 499 may be used to satisfy the nine
unit elective requirement with prior permission from the department.
Economics
SDSU General Catalog 2009-2010 197
ECON
Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but
may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general
education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division
units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University.
Courses (ECON)
Refer to Curricula and Courses and University Policies sections of
this catalog for explanation of the course numbering system, unit or
credit hour, prerequisites, and related information.
LOWER DIVISION COURSES
ECON 101. Principles of Economics (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the Entry-Level Mathematics require-
ment.
Principles of economic analysis, economic institutions, and issues
of public policy. Emphasis on macroanalysis including national
income analysis, money and banking, business cycles, and economic
stabilization.
ECON 102. Principles of Economics (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the Entry-Level Mathematics require-
ment.
Principles of economic analysis, economic institutions, and issues
of public policy. Emphasis on direction of production, allocation of
resources, and distribution of income, through the price system
(microanalysis); and international economics.
ECON 201. Statistical Methods (3) [GE]
Prerequisites: Course in intermediate algebra, satisfaction of the
Entry-Level Mathematics requirement, and qualification on the Mathe-
matics Departmental Placement Exam, Part 1A.
Introduction to descriptive statistics, statistical inference, regres-
sion and correlation. Students with credit or concurrent registration in
the following lower division statistics courses will be awarded a total of
four units for the two (or more) courses: Economics 201; Administration,
Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education 201; Biology 215; Civil
Engineering 160; Political Science 201; Psychology 270; Sociology
201; Statistics 119 or 250.
ECON 296. Experimental Topics (1-4)
Selected topics. May be repeated with new content. See Class
Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of
296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)
ECON 301. Collection and Use of Data in Economics (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102; Economics 201 or Statis-
tics 119; and Information and Decision Systems 180.
Economic data gathering via Internet and other sources, data entry
into spreadsheets and graphing techniques, statistics using spread-
sheets, and introduction to basic regression.
ECON 311. History of Economic Thought (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
The development of economics. Contributions of schools of
thought and individual writers are examined with regard to their influ-
ence on economic theory and policy.
ECON 320. Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 with approval of department. Rec-
ommended: Mathematics 120 or 121 or 150.
Determination of output, income, unemployment, and inflation. Pol-
icies for economic stabilization and growth in an open economy.
ECON 321. Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (3)
Prerequisite: Economics 102 with approval of department. Recom-
mended: Mathematics 120 or 121 or 150.
Behavior of consumers, firms and industries with respect to prod-
uct and input markets. Price system and other models of economic
decision making. Economic efficiency and welfare; property rights
and externalities.
ECON 330. Comparative Economic Systems (3) [GE]
Prerequisites: Six units of economics to include Economics 102;
and completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations
of Learning II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences. General Education
prerequisite not required for Economics majors.
Current economic systems from primarily laissez-faire to state-con-
trolled market economies with a focus on nations of Asia, Europe and
Latin America; Soviet-style economic planning and transition to a market
economy.
ECON 338. Economic History of the United States (3)
Prerequisite: Six units of economics to include Economics 101.
American economic development and national legislation. Studies
of agriculture, industry, the labor force, and national output.
ECON 349. Economics for Teachers (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
Micro and macroeconomics with emphasis on developing eco-
nomic literacy and economic way of thinking.
ECON 360. International Economic Problems (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
International problems, economic communities, organizations, and
other selected topics.
ECON 365. Economics of Underdeveloped Areas (3)
Prerequisite: Six units of economics to include Economics 101.
The nature and causes of economic underdevelopment. Problems
of and policies for the economic development of underdeveloped
areas of the world.
ECON 380. Labor Economics (3)
Prerequisite: Six units of economics to include Economics 102.
Labor force and mobility, human capital, labor demand, discrimi-
nation, determination of compensation and employment, productivity,
impact of labor organizations, labor disputes, and social legislation.
ECON 382. Economics of Work, Marriage, and Family (3)
Prerequisite: Economics 102.
Economic analysis of marriage and labor supply; family-related
changes in work behavior; gender differences in occupations and
earnings; welfare, work and family policies in the U.S. and internation-
ally; macroeconomic analysis of household structure and economy.
ECON 401. Public Finance (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
Principles and practices of taxation and public expenditures. Eco-
nomic effects of public spending, debts and taxation. Financing social
security and other services. Fiscal policy and prosperity. Relation to
inflation and deflation. Special emphasis on social problems involved.
ECON 406. Economics of Sports (3)
Prerequisite: Economics 102.
Economic issues in professional and college team sports. Empha-
sis on monopoly and monopsony behavior by sports leagues and
teams, public subsidies for sports facilities, ticket pricing, and NCAA
rules and regulations.
ECON 422. Business Cycles (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
Fundamental factors in economic fluctuations. Examination of
business cycle theories, and various policy proposals for economic
stabilization. A consideration of current economic conditions and an
examination of methods employed in preparing national economic
forecasts.
ECON 441. Introduction to Econometrics (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 301; Mathematics 120 or 121 or 150;
Recommended: Economics 320 or 321.
Econometric techniques with emphasis on single-equation mod-
els. Applied skills learned through computer assignments.
Economics
198 SDSU General Catalog 2009-2010
ECON 449W. Economic Literacy (3)
Prerequisites: Twelve units in economics to include Economics 101
and 102. Satisfies Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement for
students who have completed 60 units; completed Writing Proficiency
Assessment with a score of 8 or higher (or earned a C or higher in RWS
280, 281, or LING 281 if score on WPA was 7 or lower); and completed
General Education requirements in Composition and Critical Thinking.
Proof of completion of prerequisites required: Test scores or verifi-
cation of exemption; copy of transcript.
Economic way of thinking through writing. Effective communication
of economic concepts and analysis to different audiences.
ECON 452. Economics of Energy Resources (3)
Prerequisite: Six units of economics.
Economic structure of energy supply in the United States: electric
power, fossil fuels, nuclear energy. Economic potential of alternative
energy sources. Public policy issues: oil imports and self-sufficiency;
energy costs, conservation, and curtailment; energy growth and its
environmental impact.
ECON 453. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
Relation of ecological problems to basic economic institutions.
Examination of the apparent conflict between economic needs and
ecological requirements. Economics of air, fresh water, ocean and
land pollution, overpopulation and natural resource utilization. Investi-
gation of possible solutions.
ECON 454. Economics of the Ocean (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
Economic analysis of fisheries, seabed resources, shipping lanes,
allocation of the coastal zone, and ocean pollution. Economic implica-
tions of alternative legal arrangements concerning the ocean.
ECON 458. Urban Economics (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
Major influences on economic conditions of urban areas; specific
urban issues including growth and housing. Discussion of San Diego
issues.
ECON 463. Economic Development Before 1900 (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102.
Emergence of market institutions in medieval Europe; comparisons
with China, India, and Islamic world. Origin and evolution of market
institutions, using concepts from new institutional economics, game
theory, and behavioral economics.
ECON 464. Economic Problems of Latin America (3) [GE]
Prerequisites: Six units of economics to include Economics 101;
and completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations
of Learning II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences. General Education
prerequisite not required for Economics majors.
Economic development, institutions, and problems of Latin Amer-
ica in the context of a global economy.
ECON 489. Economics and Population (3) [GE]
Prerequisites: Six units of economics to include Economics 102;
and completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations
of Learning II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences. General Education
prerequisite not required for Economics majors.
Relation of fertility, marriage, migration, and other dimensions of
population to various economic factors affecting household behavior.
Demographic measures and projections, application to product mar-
kets and to policies of developed and less developed countries.
ECON 490. Money and Banking (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101, 102, and Accountancy 201.
Money's measurement and use; monetary theory and policy;
returns on financial instruments; international payments and foreign
exchange; evolution of banking institutions, and global competition.
ECON 495. Economics Internship (3) Cr/NC/RP
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Internship with business firms, nonprofit organizations and govern-
ment agencies. Work done under joint direction of activity supervisor
and instructor. Project report and internship conferences required.
Maximum credit six units.
ECON 496. Experimental Topics (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Selected topics in economics. May be repeated with approval of
the instructor. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine
units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a
bachelor's degree. Maximum credit nine units.
ECON 499. Special Study (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Individual study. May be repeated for a maximum of six units. Max-
imum credit six units.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Also Acceptable for Advanced Degrees)
ECON 507. Mathematical Economics (3)
Prerequisite: Mathematics 121 or 150. Recommended: Economics
320 or 321.
Mathematical concepts as tools in understanding, developing, and
illustrating economic theories. Applications of calculus and linear
equations to constrained optimization, macro models, elasticity, gen-
eral equilibrium, and input-output analysis.
ECON 561. International Trade (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 320 and 321.
Theory and policy of international trade with examples drawn from
current issues. Models of determinants of trade. Free trade and pro-
tectionism. Trade and economic development. Trading blocs, the
European community, GATT and U.S. trade policy.
ECON 565. North American Economic Relations (3)
Prerequisites: Economics 101 and 102. Recommended: Econom-
ics 360.
Socioeconomic development of U.S., Mexico, and Canada since
World War II. Issues affecting the three countries' relations, including
trade investment, technology, and international organizations and
agreements.
ECON 592. International Monetary Theory and Policy (3)
Prerequisite: Economics 320 or 490.
International monetary spillovers from domestic macroeconomic
policies. Foreign exchange markets and balance of payments. Fixed,
flexible and managed exchange rates. Bretton Woods, international
monetary fund, and world debt crisis.
ECON 596. Experimental Topics (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Intensive study in specific areas of economics. May be repeated
with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of
nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a
bachelor's degree. Maximum credit of nine units of 596 applicable to a
bachelor's degree. Credit for 596 and 696 applicable to a master's
degree with approval of the graduate adviser.
GRADUATE COURSES
Refer to the Graduate Bulletin.