Provides a foundation course for business majors. Topics include supply and demand; markets and the price system; allocation of resources, income distribution, economic power and the public sector; international trade; and comparative economic systems.

Presents topics including elementary demand and supply, determination of national income, employment and prices, money and banking system, fiscal and monetary policy and economic welfare, economic growth and development and international finance.

Many of today’s persistent social problems are so intractable precisely because they are complicated problems. They cut across so many domains of life that they defy easy solution. Therefore, to solve them one must tackle multiple dimensions. To that end, this class will consider a single social issue or problem from multiple disciplinary perspectives. A portion of each term will be taught by faculty members from different disciplines within SBGE and will address economic, political/ governmental, and commercial/ market-based considerations.

Examines microeconomics at the intermediate level with particular application to operations of the firm. Emphasizes the application of theory to actual situations encountered in the management of firms and explores the use of economic theory for projections and forecasting.

An analysis of aggregate income, employment and price level; classical and Keynesian perspectives, and recent contributions.

Examines economic and social factors influencing urban growth and land use patterns, especially forces influencing the demand for urban land and affecting intra-urban rent, real estate values and the housing market. Examines such factors as taxation, zoning and other land-use policies as they relate to the development of urban land. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Surveys monetary theory and the role of major financial institutions such as commercial banks, the Federal Reserve System and savings institutions in the monetary system. The impact of bank operations on the quantity and flow of money in the economic system is emphasized.

An introduction to the economic analysis of our changing global environment. This course will study global macroeconomic trends in the quality of air, water, and land resources as well as the underlying microeconomic causes of environmental degradation and resource depletion. Economic concepts addressed will include the “tragedy of the commons”, externalities, environmental policy choice, enforcement of regulation, methods for damage assessment, and estimation of the benefits to conservation and environmental improvement.

Examines microfinance as a tool to alleviate global poverty. Topics include lending methodologies, products, cultural and regulatory environments, financial analysis, and performance improvement of microfinance institutions, along with limitations and controversies surrounding the practice. Grounded in Christian theological understandings of economic development and human well-being.

Investigates the microeconomic transformation of developing countries and communities. Methods of measuring development and classic growth/development theories will be studied. Challenges of development focused on: demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural inequality; agriculture, rural environment, and rural labor issues; community health; legal infrastructure and business environment; access to financial services and microfinance; international standards, environment, and the role of international aid in shaping markets and opportunities for households; randomized control trials, impact evaluation, situation analysis, root cause identification and community level assessment. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

Investigates the economic transformation of developing countries and communities. Methods of measuring development and classic growth/development theories will be studied. Challenges of development focused on: demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural inequality; growth, inefficiency, and foreign investment; agriculture, rural environment, and rural labor issues; global and community health; legal infrastructure; access to financial services; conflict; international standards, environment, and the role of international aid; policy analysis and current issues. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

This course will examine multiple facets of health and health care. Topics covered in this class include individual health as an investment in human capital; uncertainty, externalities, and cost-benefit analyses of health care provision markets; the role of governments and NGOs in health provision, policy determination, and health as a public good; health insurance markets; the intrinsic connections between community health and economic development.

Examines the nature and dynamics of the global economy in relation to the economies and political systems of nations and to theories and models of national, regional and global economic growth. International trade, business and government policy are studied in this context. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

A study of the development of economic ideas and philosophies from Moses to mercantilism. Focus is on ethics and economics in the biblical, classical, physiocratic and mercantilist schools of economic thought. Typically offered: Alternate Years.

In this Economics Capstone course students will integrate and apply the theories of economics that they have learned throughout their career at SPU. The course will emphasize the skill-sets most in demand in the current job market: rigorous and applied data analysis coupled with the strong interpersonal skills and intuitive grasp of theories and concepts necessary to communicate results.

The student proposes a topic of current interest in business to a professor in the School of Business and Economics. The student meets with the professor to discuss a bibliography and rough drafts before turning in the final draft of a paper. A 5-credit independent study requires a total of 30 pages of written work. In general, the number of pages of written work must be six times the number of credits, or there must be equivalent work in exams or other requirements.

Provides an opportunity for reflection on a student's internship experience. The internship, paid or unpaid, must have a minimum commitment of 10 hours/week or 100 hours during the quarter, be related to students' Economics major and have provided opportunities for students to relate and apply principles of economics, faith, service, and leadership to a professional work setting. Internship placements must be approved prior to the experience or permission will not be granted to register. Students must complete an internship learning contract and have it signed by their internship supervisor and the faculty sponsor.

Provides students the opportunity to specialize their applied learning to economic issues and questions through individualized guidance with an economics faculty sponsor, first-hand experience in their internship sites, academic research, and face-to-face interviews with professionals.

Explores selected topics in Economics.