ECON120 Current Economic Issues

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Economics

  1. Course Number and Title

    ECON120 Current Economic Issues

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250 minutes

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    An introduction to the application of economic analysis to current economic problems and the consideration of policy alternatives. This course investigates the role of the U.S. Government in the economy in pursuit of economic and social goals.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. An understanding of basic economic models
      2. An understanding of basic economic analysis
      3. An understanding of current economic problems
      4. An understanding of the tradeoffs between economic efficiency and social equity in the pursuit of those goals
      5. An appreciation of the policy alternatives available to government at various levels
      6. An appreciation the effectiveness of cost-benefit analysis to a broad range of economic and social problems

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Alternative in organizing modern industrial economies
      2. An historical overview of U.S. domestic economic policy
      3. Basic economic analysis
      4. Alternative methods of redistribution in a market economy
      5. The minimum wage
      6. Fixing Social Security
      7. The national debt
      8. International economics
      9. Income distribution
      10. Maintaining full employment

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      See Course Format

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Class lecture, discussions, film, PBS Video Series

Review/Approval Date -2/99