Houston Christian University Catalog

Economics (ECON) Course Descriptions

  • ECON 1301 Survey of Economics: The American Economic System

    Prerequisite(s): None

    An introduction and comparative evaluation of the principles, problems, and processes of the American economy. Discussion of the development of economic ideas, the importance and success of the free enterprise system, the values required for a functioning system, and real life applications.

  • ECON 2311 Microeconomics

    Prerequisite(s): None

    An introduction to microeconomic theory with emphasis on the determination of price and output in the competitive and noncompetitive market structures of American capitalism. Includes applications of price theory to a range of economic issues.

  • ECON 2312 Macroeconomics

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 2311

    An introduction to macroeconomic theory including supply and demand analysis, national income accounting, monetary theory and policy, modern employment theory, and applications of theory to policy.

  • ECON 3303 Macroeconomic Theory Intermediate

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 2312

    An intensive study of the assumptions and concepts which are basic to the theories of income determination and aggregate employment.

  • ECON 3304 Microeconomic Theory Intermediate

    Prerequisite)s: ECON 2311 and (BUSA 2301 or MATH 1451 or a higher mathematics course)

    An intensive examination of the assumptions and forces which underlie the price system.

  • ECON 3315 Security Markets and Financial Institutions

    Prerequisite(s): FINA 3320

    An introduction to the US financial system. Topics include interest rate theory, financial markets such as money markets and capital markets including stock and bond markets, and financial institutions such as banks and other depository institutions, finance companies, insurance companies, investment companies, pension funds, securities firms. (Offered also as FINA 3315.)

  • ECON 3330 International Finance

    Prerequisite(s): FINA 3320 and ECON 2311

    A study of the theories and practices of international trade and finance, direction and composition of world trade, institutions for facilitating trade, international payments, capital movement, exchange rates. (Offered also as FINA 3330.)

  • ECON 4312 Global Economy

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 2311 and ECON 2312

    This course examines international trade beginning with an evaluation of the gains of trade, types of restrictions on free trade and their impacts, and policies regarding trade. The effects of the movement of resources across national boundaries are also examined. The discussion of international monetary theory includes balance of payments and the functions and impacts of the foreign-exchange markets. The course is structured around case studies that require the student to analyze and apply knowledge gained from the course.

  • ECON 4330 Seminar on Law and Economics

    Prerequisite(s): BUSA 2320 and ECON 2311

    This course will provide an analytical framework for studying the relationship between the environment and economic and political systems. Students will cover cost/benefit analysis and economic issues concerning valuation, and then apply the theory to current legislation, case law, and state and federal statutes dealing with air and pollution, waste management, wildlife management, and resource management.

  • ECON 4335 History of Economic Thought

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 2311 and ECON 2312

    A survey of major contributors to economic thought from Adam Smith to Milton Friedman in modern times with emphasis on their impact on contemporary economic thought and analysis. Research papers will be required on selected topics in economic history.

  • ECON 4381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • ECON 5260 Economic Principles

    Prerequisite(s): None

    A survey course of microeconomic theory combined with an introduction to key macroeconomic concepts. Microeconomic theory will include supply and demand analysis, with emphasis on the determination of price and output in the competitive and noncompetitive market structures of American capitalism. Macroeconomic theory will include gross domestic product, employment, inflation, and business cycles. Graduate Business Programs only.

  • ECON 5363 Economics Principles

    Prerequisite(s): None

    A survey course of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. Microeconomic theory will include supply and demand analysis, with emphasis on the determination of price and output in the competitive and noncompetitive market structures of American capitalism. A study of the macroeconomic theory will include application of economic principles relating to the behavior of aggregate economic activity and the price level. Topics include aggregate economic variables and their measurement, economic growth, economic fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, government deficits, monetary policy, and fiscal policy.

  • ECON 6330 Global Political Economy

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 5363

    This course examines the interaction of politics and the economy at the global level. In particular, it evaluates how political and economic decisions of one country or groups of countries affect institutions and life circumstances in others and assesses the causes and consequences of globalization as rooted in political economy. Key topics include major conceptual frameworks for understanding the linkages between international politics and international economics, international monetary and financial relations, international trade, foreign investment and multinational enterprises, key international economic institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, and World Bank, the rise of the BRIC economics and the shift of global balance, and global economic governance. Graduate Business Programs only.

  • ECON 6353 Global Economy and Institutions

    Prerequisite(s): ECON 5363

    This course provides an overview of global economies, institutions and how macroeconomic factors impact different economies. This will impact the way business leaders manage risks that globalization entails. The course goes beyond the theory and includes a discussion of current global economic events drawing on articles from current publications. Graduate Business Programs only.

  • ECON 6365 Entrepreneurial Perspectives on Economics and Free Enterprise

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course focuses on the core principles of economics, with an emphasis on the specific terminology, models, and concepts describing the micro-economic entity of the firm. It will also integrate the core tenets that drive the American market system of free enterprise. Topics will include: a) producer supply, buyer demand, and the four market structures of monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition, and commodity-based perfect competition; b) marginal analysis of revenue, costs, profits, and productivity; and c) integrating pricing, revenue, and margins into decision making for the emerging entrepreneurial venture.