Dr. Karin Roland, Interim Department Head
Room 214A, Thaxton Hall
The Department of Economics and Finance is a multidisciplinary department with programs that lead to a B.B.A. degree with a major in economics and a B.B.A. degree with a major in finance.
The department’s programs are designed to give students the basic knowledge, skills, and values that build upon the foundation provided by the University Core Curriculum and are required for professional careers in business and government. Each program stresses the importance of critical thinking skills, effective oral and written communication, and the application of knowledge to solve business problems. Students majoring in economics or finance are able to gain work experience related to their major through internships, ENACTUS, and the VSU Co-op Program.
Economics
ECON 1500. Survey of Economics. 3 Hours.
A survey of basic economic concepts with applications to public policy issues.
ECON 1500H. Survey of Economics Honors. 3 Hours.
Seminar-oriented approach to a survey of basic economic concepts with applications to public policy issues. A policy analysis project is required.
ECON 2105. Principles of Macroeconomics. 3 Hours.
An introduction to macroeconomic concepts and their application to aggregate economic activity. Factors influencing rates of economic growth, employment, and inflation are emphasized. Measures of aggregate economic activity and policies to control it are covered.
ECON 2105H. Principles of Macroeconomics Honors. 3 Hours.
An introduction to macroeconomic concepts and their application to aggregate economic activity. Factors influencing rates of economic growth, employment, and inflation are emphasized. Measures of aggregate economic activity and policies to control it are covered. This honors course requires written economic analysis of current events.
ECON 2106. Principles of Microeconomics. 3 Hours.
An introduction to microeconomic concepts and their application to the behavior of individuals, firms, and market groups. Special emphasis is placed on market analysis, production and cost concepts, profit analysis, and market structure. Current microeconomic issues, including market failures and the role of government in markets, are covered.
ECON 2106H. Principles of Microeconomics Honors. 3 Hours.
An introduction to microeconomic concepts and their application to the behavior of individuals, firms, and market groups. Special emphasis is placed on market analysis, production and cost concepts, profit analysis, and market structure. Current microeconomic issues, including market failures and the role of government in markets, are covered. This honors course requires written economic analysis of current events.
ECON 3001. Mathematics for Economists. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2106. Introduction to mathematical concepts and techniques used in economic analysis. Topics covered will include algebraic analysis of supply and demand, calculus, and their applications to economic theory.
ECON 3400. Public Finance and Fiscal Policy. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2106. Comprehensive treatment of economic theory and applications in the field of public finance and fiscal policy. Included the study of market failure, the provision of public goods, benefit/cost analysis, public expenditures, and the principles of government finance.
ECON 3450. Sports Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2106. Applications of microeconomic principles to the sports industry. The course emphasizes the industrial organization, public finance, and labor market outcomes of the sports industry. Topics include profit-maximization of sports franchises, broadcasting rights, competitive balance, the value of talent, and sports in the not-for-profit sector.
ECON 3600. International Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: ECON 2105 and ECON 2106. Survey of the international exchange of goods, services and financial instruments and the policies that affect this exchange. Topics include pattern of trade, effects of trade controls, trade and growth, trade and the distribution of income, balance of payments accounting, exchange rate systems and the effect of trade on employment, prices, and production.
ECON 3600H. International Economics Honors. 3 Hours.
Survey of the international exchange of goods, service and financial instruments and the policies that affect this exchange. Topics include pattern of trade, effects of trade controls, trade and growth, trade and the distribution of incomes, balance of payments accounting, exchange rate systems, and the effect of trade on employment, prices, and production. This honors course requires written economics analysis of current events.
ECON 3610. Trade and Culture: An Economics Perspective. 3 Hours.
An introduction to international economics through a study abroad experience. Coursework before departure includes an introduction to trade patterns, international trade organizations, comparative advantage, trade barriers, and exchange rates. In country experiences include visits to companies, places of historical significance, and places of cultural significance to the chosen country. This course may be repeated once for credit in a different country. This course may not be taken concurrently with ECON 3600 or ECON 3600H. This course is open to business and non-business majors who have completed at least 45 hours.
ECON 3610H. Honors Trade and Culture: An Economic Perspective. 3 Hours.
An introduction to international economics through a study abroad experience. Coursework before departure includes an introduction to trade patterns, international trade organizations, comparative advantage, trade barriers, and exchange rates. In country experiences include visits to companies, places of historical significance, and places of cultural significance to the chosen country. This course may be repeated once for credit in a different country. This course may not be taken concurrently with ECON 3600 or ECON 3600H. This honors course requires an economic analysis of current events. This course is open to honors business and non-business majors who have completed at least 45 hours.
ECON 3710. Urban and Regional Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2106. Factors that influence the type, level, and location of urban and regional activities. The special aspects of poverty, land use, urban environment, and rural development are explored.
ECON 3750. Money and Banking. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2105. Analysis of financial intermediaries, instruments and markets in determining the level and distribution of economic activity.
ECON 3800. Environmental Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2106. Application of microeconomic principles to environmental and natural resource policy. Topics include: economic efficiency and market failure, valuing the environment, pollution control, exhaustible and renewable resource policy waste and toxic substance disposal, and the effect of industry and agriculture on the environment.
ECON 3810. Health Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2106. Comprehensive introduction to the economics of health and health care. Topics include: the market for health care, private insurance and health care providers, social insurance, and health system reform.
ECON 3820. Experimental Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: ECON 2106 or ECON 1500. An introduction to the use of experimental methods in economics. Coverage will include design of experiments, analysis of experimental data and interpretation of results, application in microeconomic topic areas, and overview of existing findings. Students will gain hands-on experience as they conduct and participate in computerized laboratory experiments.
ECON 3850. Sustainability: An Economic Perspective. 3 Hours.
Introduction to economic analysis related to sustainability literature. Topics covered will include the depletion of fisheries, population growth, ecological footprints, corporate environmental responsibility, socially responsible investing, green GDP, and industrial symbiosis.
ECON 3860. Labor Economics and Labor Relations. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 2106. Investigation of the workings and outcomes of the labor market. Topics include the determination of wages, wage differentials, the impact of unions, and the process of collective bargaining.
ECON 4000. Introduction to Econometrics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: ECON 2105, ECON 2106, BUSA 2100, and BUSA 3100. Introduction to applied research and quantitative analysis. The course includes the components of a research paper, data sources, software used for empirical research, and basic statistical and econometric techniques widely used in modern economic research.
ECON 4100. Managerial Economics. 3 Hours.
Pre- or corequisites: ECON 2105 and ECON 2106. Analysis of major decision-making areas within the firm. Students are introduced to demand forecasting techniques, advanced production and cost relationships, and optimal pricing models.
ECON 4500. Intermediate Macroeconomics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: ECON 2105 and ECON 2106. Analysis of the factors that influence national income, long-run economic growth, unemployment, and inflation. Using various macroeconomic models, students develop the analytic tools and insights required to evaluate the sources of business cycle fluctuations. The impacts of fiscal and monetary policy decisions are emphasized.
ECON 4640. International Macroeconomics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ECON 4500. Advanced study of the international exchange of financial instruments and the effects of this exchange on employment, prices, production and the balance of trade (payments). International macroeconomic policy is emphasized.
ECON 4800. Current Issues in Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: ECON 2105 and ECON 2106. Study of a specific, current topic or topics in the field of economics. May be repeated once for additional credit with prior approval of advisor and instructor if different topics are covered in the subsequent course.
ECON 4980. Economics Internship. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: ECON 2105 and ECON 2106, senior standing, and completion of Internship Agreement Form. Graded “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.” The application of skill related to the academic discipline of economics in an employment situation. A project, approved by a faculty member and the employer, is required. The student must complete a workshop with the Career Strategies.
ECON 4990. Directed Study in Economics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: Faculty Approval. Directed research or reading in economics. Proper form must be submitted to the Dean of the College of Business Administration at least two weeks before the beginning of the semester.
Finance
FIN 1500. Fundamentals of Personal Finance. 3 Hours.
Finance majors may not count this class for credit toward their degree. A non-technical introduction to personal financing decisions. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of budgeting, insurance, taxes, investments, home ownership and family financial planning.
FIN 3350. Financial Management. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: ACCT 2102, ECON 2106, and BUSA 2100 or MATH 2620. Introduction to the principles of financial management as applied to the firm including financial analysis, acquisition of funds, capital structure, dividend policy, working capital management, and evaluation of investment projects.
FIN 3360. Capital Budgeting & Advanced Financial Management. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3350. Continuation of FIN 3350 with a concentration on financial analysis, valuation of assets, risk analysis, cash flow projections, and long-term financing decisions.
FIN 3370. Financial Statement Analysis. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3350 with a grade of “C” or better. An introduction to financial statement analysis. This course emphasizes the use of publicly disclosed financial information to enhance economic decision making.
FIN 3460. Principles of Risk and Insurance. 3 Hours.
Theory and practice of insurance and its economic and social significance. Topics include basic life, health, and property liability insurance for organizations and families; and review of the major lines of insurance.
FIN 3650. Multinational Corporate Finance. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3350 with a grade of “C” or better. Theory and practice of multinational corporate and bank operations. Includes the study of foreign exchange markets, risks associated with foreign exchange transactions, accounting consolidations and foreign operations, and appropriate exchange-risk hedging techniques.
FIN 3770. Fundamentals of Real Estate. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3350 with a grade of “C” or better. Introduction to the fundamentals of real estate; theories, tools, and techniques needed to understand real estate markets.
FIN 4310. Problems in Financial Management. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3360 with a grade of “C” or better. An advanced study of the principles of financial management through the use of case analysis on topics covering financial analysis and planning, valuation, capital budgeting, working capital management, and financing.
FIN 4360. Computer Applications in Financial Management. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3350 with a grade of "C" or better. An advanced study of the principles of financial management through the use of case study and computer applications such as EXCEL and SAP in financial analysis and planning, valuation, capital budgeting, working capital management, risk management, and insurance.
FIN 4520. Investments. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3350 with a grade of “C” or better. An introduction to personal investing in financial and non- financial assets including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. A discussion of securities markets, how new issues are brought to market, and how existing securities are traded. Includes material on identifying and evaluating the risk of investing.
FIN 4720. Applied Financial Planning. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3360 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: FIN 4520. Theory and applications of portfolio management. Students will apply investment strategies, risk assessment tools, asset allocation decisions, client-oriented portfolio construction, financial asset valuation, and ethics problems in investment management.
FIN 4760. Modern Financial Intermediaries & Risk Management. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3360 with a grade of “C” or better. Principles of financial institution management. Topics include functions and types of financial institutions, regulation of financial institutions, financial statement and performance analysis for financial institutions, credit and interest rate management, asset and liability management, and non-interest income management.
FIN 4900. Current Issues in Finance. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: FIN 3360 with a grade of “C” or better. A survey of selected finance topics. The underlying theory and practical implications of these topics to the business world are examined. May be taken more than once if the topics are different, up to 9 hours.
FIN 4980. Finance Internship. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: Faculty approval. Graded “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.” The application of academic finance skills in an employment situation. A paper, approved by a faculty member and the employer, is required. May be taken more than once with Department Head approval. The student must complete a workshop with the Career Strategies Coordinator no later than the end of the first week of class.
FIN 4990. Directed Study in Finance. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: Faculty approval. A special project undertaken by the student. The project is guided by a faculty member and culminates in a research report.
