Faculty
Professors Emeritae/i
Jean Auclair, Ph.D.
University of Lille (France)
Melvin K. Bers, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Kuan I. Chen, Ph.D.
Pennsylvania State University
Jack E. Gelfand, Ph.D.
New York University
Pong S. Lee, Ph.D.
Yale University
Helen G. Horowitz, M.A. (Collins Fellow)
Columbia University
Richard J. Kalish, Ph.D.
University of Colorado
Edward F. Renshaw, Ph.D.
University of Chicago
Louis Salkever, Ph.D.
Cornell University
John H. Slocum, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Franklin V. Walker, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Professors
Betty C. Daniel, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina
Michael Jerison, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin
Terrence W. Kinal, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Kajal Lahiri, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
Irene Lurie, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Donald J. Reeb, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
Syracuse University
Carlos Santiago, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Michael J. Sattinger, Ph.D.
Carnegie Mellon University
Hany A. Shawky, Ph.D.
Ohio State University
Jogindar S. Uppal, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Kwan Koo Yun, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Associate Professors
Bruce C. Dieffenbach, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Bruce Kingma, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
Hamilton Lankford, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Thad W. Mirer, Ph.D.
Yale University
James H. Wyckoff, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Assistant Professors
Kenneth R. Beauchemin, Ph.D.
University of Iowa
Diane M. Dewar, Ph.D.
University at Albany
JoAnne Feeney, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
Sung Wook Joh, Ph.D.
Harvard University
John B. Jones, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Jae-Young Kim, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Laurence J. Kranich, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
Gerald Marschke, Ph.D.
University of Chicago
Adjuncts (estimated): 10
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 9
The major in economics may be useful as
training for employment in business,
government and nonprofit agencies or as
preparation for further study at the graduate
level. It is also an excellent undergraduate
background for study in professional schools
of law, accounting, business administration,
public administration, public policy, social
work, and others. The department also offers
the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics.
Careers
Graduates of the undergraduate economics
program work as financial analysts, finance
and credit officers for insurance companies
and banks, economic analysts for
corporations, policy and legislative fiscal
analysts, and business officers for nonprofit
and government organizations, as well as
administrators and heads of businesses and
government agencies.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Economics
General Program
B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits as follows:
A Eco 110M, 111M, 300, 301 and 320; 18
additional credits in economics at the 300
level or above; and A Eco 210 or A Mat 106,
111, 112 or 118.
B.S.: A minimum of 41 credits as follows:
A Eco 110M, 111M, 300, 301 and 320; 18
additional credits in economics at the 300
level or above; as well as A Mat 111 or 112
or 118 and A Mat 113 or 119. A minor in one
of the natural sciences, mathematics or the
School of Business is also required.
Honors Program
The honors program in economics is designed
to provide capable and motivated students
with a greater understanding of economics and
to better prepare students for graduate and
professional schools.
To be accepted in the honors program and to
remain within that program, the student must
have an average of at least 3.50 in all
economics courses applicable to the major and
3.25 in all courses taken at the University.
Interested students should file an
application with the departmental Director of
Undergraduate Studies, after admission to the
economics major, for advisement on choosing
elective courses and meeting the other
requirements of the honors program.
The honors student must complete A Eco 499Z
as part of the 36 credit hours of courses
required for the economics major in the B.A.
degree program, or the 41 hours required for
the B.S. degree program. An additional 6-8
credit hours in economics and/or other
disciplines, as advised, is required to
augment economic research skills. Honors
students must also submit a senior honors
thesis acceptable to the Economics Honors
Committee.
By no later than the second month of the
senior year, an honors student must submit a
thesis proposal to the Economics Honors
Committee. The proposal normally arises from
consultation with the faculty concerning a
suitable topic and method of inquiry. The
student, with advice and consent of the
Economics Honors Committee, will choose a
faculty adviser who will assist the student
in completing the thesis. Work on the thesis
may begin in the junior year, but must be
completed while enrolled in A Eco 499Z, the
Senior Honors Research Seminar.
The records of the honors candidate will be
reviewed by the Economics Honors Committee
prior to the candidate's intended graduation
date. If the Committee finds that all
requirements stated above have been met, then
it shall recommend to the department that the
candidate be awarded the appropriate
baccalaureate degree with honors in
economics.
Combined Bachelor's/M.B.A. and Bachelor's/M.P.A. Programs
The combined bachelor's degree in Economics
and Master's of Business Administration (MBA)
and the combined bachelor's degree in
Economics and Master's of Public
Administration (MPA) both provide students of
recognized academic ability and educational
maturity the opportunity to fulfill
integrated requirements for the undergraduate
and master's degree programs. In addition to
benefiting from important educational
linkages between the programs, it is possible
to earn both degrees in five, rather than
six, years thus saving one year of time and
tuition cost.
Students may be admitted to the combined
degree program at the beginning of their
junior year, or after the successful
completion of 56 credits, but no later than
the accumulation of 100 credits. A cumulative
grade point average of at least 3.2 (MPA) or
3.3 (MBA) and three supportive letters of
recommendation from faculty are required. To
qualify for the bachelor's degree (BA or BS),
students must meet all requirements for the
undergraduate major and minor described
previously, the minimum 60- or 90-credit
liberal arts and sciences requirement, the
general education requirements and the
residency requirements. To qualify for the
master's degree (MBA or MPA), students must
meet all requirements as outlined in the
Graduate Bulletin including the completion of
required graduate credits and any other
conditions such as a research seminar,
thesis, comprehensive examination,
professional experience, and residence
requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may
be applied simultaneously to the requirements
for the baccalaureate. Students interested in
learning more about these programs should
contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies
in the Department of Economics.
Courses
A Eco 110M Principles of Economics I: Microeconomics (3)
General Education: SS
Analysis of supply and demand in markets for
goods and markets for the factors of
production. Study of various market
structures, price determination in perfectly
competitive and imperfectly competitive
markets. May not be taken for credit by
students with credit for A Eco 300.
Prerequisite(s): plane geometry and
intermediate algebra, or A Mat 100.
A Eco 111M Principles of Economics II: Macroeconomics (3)
General Education: SS
Examination of the institutional structure of
an economic system. Analysis of aggregate
economic activity, the determinants of the
level, stability, and growth of national
income, the role of monetary and fiscal
policy. May not be taken for credit by
students with credit for A Eco 301.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110 M.
A Eco 130 The Third World Economies: An Interdisciplinary Profile (3)
General Education: HD
An interdisciplinary study of economic
disparities among nations. Focus on Third
World Countries: underdevelopment and
poverty, problems in agricultural and
industrial development. Population growth and
unemployment. Global interdependence and role
of the United States. Some global issues
facing the Third World: debt crisis;
privatization and deregulation; relationship
with developed countries including the United
States.
A Eco 202M (formerly A Eco 102M) The American Economy: Its Structure and Institutions (3)
General Education: SS
Discussion of the historical development and
current structure of the American economy.
Using an interdisciplinary approach and
without any technical/mathematical tools,
major economic issues will be discussed, such
as federal budget deficit, unemployment,
poverty, family structure, welfare reforms,
America in the world economy, immigration,
and health reforms.
A Eco 210 (formerly A Eco 180) Tools of Economics (3)
Introduction to some of the basic
mathematical tools used in economics,
including the construction and comprehension
of simple graphs, as well as some of the
economist's conceptual tools, including
marginal analysis, national income analysis,
supply and demand. May not be taken for
credit by students with credit for A Mat 106
or 111 or 112 or 118, or equivalent.
A Eco 280 Current Topics in Economics (3)
Examines current topics in economics; topics
vary from time to time. A Eco 280Z is the
writing intensive version of A Eco 280; only
one may be taken for credit.
A Eco 280Z Current Topics in Economics (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 280Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 280; only one may be taken for
credit.
A Eco 300 Intermediate Theory I: Microeconomics (3)
Introduction to price theory, distribution
theory, and market structure analysis.
Relevance of economic theory in production
and consumption decisions. Prerequisite(s):
A Eco 110M and 111M; and A Eco 210 (formerly
A Eco 180) or A Mat 106 or 111 or 112 or 118.
A Eco 301 Intermediate Theory II: Macroeconomics (3)
Introduction to the measurement of national
income and the theories of aggregate demand
and supply; theoretical analysis of growth
and fluctuations in production, employment,
and prices. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and
111M.
A Eco 312 Development of The American Economy (3)
Study of American economic institutions from
the early 19th century to the present.
Employs statistical methods and both micro
and macro theoretical constructs. A Eco 312Z
is the writing intensive version of A Eco
312; only one may be taken for credit.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M. May not
be offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 312Z Development of The American Economy (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 312Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 312; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
May not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 313 Development of the European Economy (3)
Economic change in modern European societies.
Comparative study of the growth of various
European countries emphasizing the variables
associated with development: population,
technology, capital formation, output,
resources, and income distribution. A Eco
313Z is the writing intensive version of
A Eco 313; only one may be taken for credit.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M. May not
be offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 313Z Development of the European Economy (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 313Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 313; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
May not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 314 (formerly A Eco 414) History of Economic Thought (3)
The evolution of modern economics with
emphasis on the contributions of such writers
as Smith, Malthus, Ricardo, Mill, Marx,
Marshall and Keynes. The turn of events that
motivated the construction of the main body
of economic knowledge is also examined. A Eco
314Z is the writing intensive version of
A Eco 314. Only one may be taken for credit.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300. May not be
offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 314Z (formerly A Eco 414Z) History of Economic Thought (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 314Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 314; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300. May not
be offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 320 Economic Statistics (3)
Statistical techniques in economic analysis.
Topics include distribution theory and
statistical inference as applied to
regression models. Students gain experience
in testing economic theories using a computer
regression package. Prerequisite(s): A Eco
110M and 111M; A Eco 210 (formerly A Eco 180)
or A Mat 106 or 111 or 112 or 118.
A Eco 330 Economics of Development (3)
Introduction to the analysis of economic
growth and development. Historical,
descriptive, and analytical approaches to the
problems of fostering economic growth.
Consideration of alternative theories of the
causes and problems of underdevelopment.
A Eco 330Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 330; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 330Z Economics of Development (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 330Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 330; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 341 (= A Soc 371) Urban Economics (3)
Analysis of the city-metropolis and the
economic forces which condition its growth
pattern and allocation of scarce resources.
The public sector, especially local
government, is examined in its role of
solving the problems of inadequate jobs,
housing, education, and other services. A Eco
341Z is the writing intensive version of
A Eco 341 and A Soc 371; only one of the
three courses may be taken for credit.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 341Z (= A Soc 371) Urban Economics (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 341Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 341 and A Soc 371; only one of the
three courses may be taken for credit.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 350 Money and Banking (3)
The principles of money, commercial banking,
and central banking; an elementary
consideration of issues of monetary policy
and financial markets. Prerequisite(s): A Eco
110M and 111M.
A Eco 351 Theory of Interest (= A Mat 301) (3)
The basic measures of interest, annuities,
sinking funds, amortization schedules, bonds,
and installment loans. Recommended as
preparation for Course Exam 140 of the
Society of Actuaries. Prerequisite(s): A Mat
113 or 119.
A Eco 355 Public Finance (3)
Introduction to the financial problems of
governments: public expenditures, basic kinds
of taxes and tax systems, grants-in-aid,
public borrowing, debt management, and fiscal
policy. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M,
and A Eco 300.
A Eco 356 (formerly A Eco 456) State and Local Finance (3)
Problems of financing state and local
government within the context of a federal
system. Relevance and limits of fiscal theory
for state and local government tax and
expenditure policy. A Eco 356Z is the writing
intensive version of A Eco 356; only one may
be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco
110M and 111M.
A Eco 356Z (formerly A Eco 456Z) State and Local Finance (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 356Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 356; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 357 (formerly A Eco 455) Public Microeconomics (3)
Microeconomic analysis of the role of the
public sector in resource allocation within a
market economy: theory of market failures,
alternative corrective measures for market
failures, public choice theory, partial and
general equilibrium analyses of major taxes,
and welfare-based public investment criteria.
A Eco 357Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 357; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300; and 355
or permission of instructor. May not be
offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 357Z (formerly A Eco 455Z) Public Microeconomics (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 357Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 357; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300 and 355 or
permission of instructor. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Eco 360 International Economic Relations (3)
The development of international trade and
trade theory since mercantilism;
international financial institutions, the
foreign exchange market, and the problems of
international balance of payments and
international liquidity. Prerequisite(s):
A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 361 (= A Lcs 361) Development of the Latin American Economy (3)
Economic change in Latin American societies.
Comparative study of the growth of various
Latin American countries emphasizing the
variables associated with development:
population, technology, capital information,
output, resources and income distribution.
Only one of A Eco 361 & A Lcs 361 may be
taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M
and 111M.
A Eco 362 (= A Eas 362) The Political Economy of Japan and Korea (3)
A study of the development of Japan and
Korea. Emphasis will be given to the role of
the state, and institutions, in the selection
and implementation of growth strategies, and
to the relationship of natural resources,
population, capital and technology to the
expansion of total output and economic
welfare. A Eco 362Z & A Eas 362Z are the
writing intensive versions of A Eco 362 &
A Eas 362; only one of the four courses may
be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco
110M and 111M or permission of instructor.
A Eco 362Z (= A Eas 362Z) The Political Economy of Japan and Korea (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 362Z & A Eas 362Z are the writing
intensive versions of A Eco 362 & A Eas 362;
only one of the four courses may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M
or permission of instructor.
A Eco 370 Economics of Labor (3)
Study of wage theories and wage structures;
wage-cost-price interaction; and wage,
supply, and employment relationships.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 371 (formerly A Eco 462) The Distribution of Income and Wealth (3)
Theoretical, empirical, and institutional
analysis of the distribution of income and
wealth, including policies and programs
designed to affect these distributions.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300.
A Eco 374 (formerly A Eco 450) Industrial Organization (3)
Relationship between market structure,
behavior of the firm, economic performance,
and analysis of U.S. antitrust activities.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300.
A Eco 380 Contemporary Economic Issues (3)
An introductory discussion of selected
economic issues of current importance. The
course will focus on different economic
problems each term. May be repeated for
credit when topics differ, up to a maximum of
6 credits in A Eco 380 and 380Z.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M. May not
be offered during 1999-2000.
A Eco 380Z Contemporary Economic Issues (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 380Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 380. May be repeated for credit when
topics differ, up to a maximum of 6 credits
in A Eco 380 and 380Z. Prerequisite(s): A Eco
110M and 111M. May not be offered during
1999-2000.
A Eco 381 (formerly A Eco 430) Economics of Health Care (3)
Economics concepts are used to explain the
nature of demand and supply in the health
care field. The behavior of consumers and
health care providers is examined from an
economic perspective. Areas of market
failures and the rationale for government
intervention are also described.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300 or permission of
the instructor.
A Eco 383 (formerly A Eco 452) Economics of Law (3)
The application of economic concepts such as
efficiency, externalities, and trade-offs to
the analysis of common law, crime and
punishment, product safety laws, and other
legal interventions in market and nonmarket
behavior. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300.
A Eco 385 (formerly A Eco 481) Environmental Economics (3)
Environmental pollution; social costs;
population control; zoning; economics of
public health; conservation of endangered
species, natural wonders, and artifacts;
natural resource exhaustion; and the end of
progress hypothesis are examined and
analyzed. A Eco 385Z is a writing intensive
version of A Eco 385; only one may be taken
for credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and
111M.
A Eco 385Z (formerly A Eco 481Z) Environmental Economics (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 385Z is a writing intensive version of
A Eco 385; only one may be taken for credit.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and 111M.
A Eco 401 Macroeconomic Modeling, Forecasting and Policy Analysis (3)
Introduction to the construction and use of
econometric macro models, including
theoretical specification, statistical
estimation and validation; the structure of
large-scale macro models; forecasting and
policy analysis; critiques of current
macroeconomic modeling. Prerequisite(s):
A Eco 300, 301, and 320.
A Eco 410 Mathematics for Economists (3)
Techniques of differentiation, integration,
differential equations, difference equations,
and linear algebra as used in economic
analysis. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M and
111M; and A Eco 210 (formerly A Eco 180) or
A Mat 106 or 111 or 112 or 118.
A Eco 420Z Applied Econometrics (3)
General Education: WI
Application of regression to a problem chosen
by the student. Some general discussion of
data sources, the derivation of index numbers
and other problems that might be encountered
in estimating economic relations. Emphasis is
on class presentation and analysis of student
projects. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 320.
A Eco 445 International Trade (3)
Theoretical, institutional, and empirical
characteristics of trade and capital
movements between nations. Review of the pure
theories of comparative advantage, gains from
trade, commercial policy, and resource
transfers. Brief review of modern balance of
payments theory and policy question.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300 and 301.
A Eco 446 International Finance (3)
The foreign exchange market and international
payments are described and analyzed. Emphasis
is placed on analyzing the implications of
price levels and employment in small and
large countries. Proposals for exchange
management and reform of the international
monetary system are evaluated.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 110M, 111M, and 301.
A Eco 466 Financial Economics (3)
Financial markets, efficient-market theory,
financial panics, choice under uncertainty,
risk aversion, portfolio choice, capital-
asset pricing model, futures, options, flow
of funds, saving and investment, financing
economic development, government debt,
international debt, term structure of
interest rates, interest rate forecasting.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 301 or 350.
A Eco 475 Managerial Economics (3)
Application of economic concepts to the
decision making of the firm. Topics may
include market and demand analysis, risk and
uncertainty, pricing, production, investment
decisions, and capital budgeting.
Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300 and 320, or
permission of the instructor.
A Eco 480 Topics in Economics (3)
Detailed analysis of specific topics in
economics. Topics may vary from semester to
semester. May be repeated for credit if
topics differ, up to a maximum 6 credits.
A Eco 480Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 480; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300, 301 and
320; permission of instructor.
A Eco 480Z Topics in Economics (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 480Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 480; only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300, 301 and
320; permission of the instructor.
A Eco 495 Economics Practicum (3)
This course provides undergraduate majors in
economics the opportunity to work as a
teaching aide and facilitator to faculty
teaching the introductory courses in
economics. Meetings with students enrolled in
the Introductory course are scheduled weekly.
Prerequisite(s): major in economics; a grade
of B or higher in A Eco 300 and 301; and
permission of instructor. S/U graded.
A Eco 496 Economics Internship (3)
Economics Internship requires active
participation in economic research outside
the University, together with senior class
standing as an economics major. May be taken
only once for credit. Internships are open
only to qualified seniors who have an overall
grade point average of 2.50 or higher.
Permission of instructor is required. S/U
graded.
A Eco 497 Independent Study and Research (3)
Student-initiated research project under
faculty guidance. May be repeated for credit
up to a total of 6 credits with permission of
department. A Eco 497Z is the writing
intensive version of A Eco 497. Only one may
be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco
300, 301 and 320; a B average or higher in
all economic courses attempted.
A Eco 497Z Independent Study and Research (3)
General Education: WI
A Eco 497Z is the writing intensive version
of A Eco 497. Only one may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Eco 300, 301 and
320; a B average or higher in all economic
courses attempted.
A Eco 499Z (formerly A Eco 499) Senior Honors Research Seminar (3)
General Education: WI
Senior seminar, in which a substantial
"senior thesis" is prepared by an honors
candidate under the supervision of a faculty
adviser. Students present oral and/or written
progress reports on their ongoing research
and read, discuss, and criticize each other's
work. The former A Eco 499 does not yield
writing intensive credit. Prerequisite(s):
admission to the honors program and A Eco
420Z.