By looking at the economic incentives in corporations, financial institutions and governments in several different countries, the course will address the question of how different market systems provide incentives to encourage economic growth. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze the economic implications of a country's institutional arrangements and evaluate the role of government in the economy. Application of elementary principles of traditional and modern statistical analysis to economic and business decision making. Students who have completed MATH 340 or PSY 210 will receive only one-half credit for ECON 350. The theories of the value of investment instruments are examined.
Topics covered include the theories of capital markets and portfolio management.
Emphasis is placed on modern portfolio theory. This course integrates mathematical techniques and economic theory. Mathematical techniques such as linear algebra and differential calculus are used to examine the mathematical foundation of the neo-classical paradigm. Economic concepts such as profit maximization, utility maximization and cost minimization are considered using optimization and comparative static techniques. Detailed study of theoretical and policy aspects of such topics as inflation, resource and product pricing, management, market structure, government-business relations, financial markets and international trade.