100 - Introduction to Economic Issues Basic economic concepts are used to explore current economic issues such as unemployment, inflation, trade disputes, the crisis in agriculture, pollution reduction, and health care. * Note: Students who have received credit for both ECON 201 and 202, or any ECON course numbered 300 or higher may not take ECON 100. *
201 - Introductory Microeconomics Theory of how individual consumers and firms behave in a market economy. Emphasis is on evaluating how well markets deliver efficient and fair outcomes. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 or MATH B30 (or equivalent) ***
202 - Introductory Macroeconomics Basic economic concepts are used to explain how economies operate at a national or regional level, with a focus on production, income, interest rates, prices, inflation, and unemployment. Principles are introduced for understanding and evaluating the methods by which governments can smooth fluctuations in overall economic activity. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 or MATH B30 (or equivalent) ***
211 - Development Economics Problems and challenges facing developing countries in their attempts to improve living standards. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 ***
224 - Empirical Economics This is a project based course in which students will collect and analyze economic data using spreadsheets and basic statistical techniques. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 ***
231 - Money, Banks & Financial Institutions How did money evolve and who controls its supply? How do banks work and what is the role of the central bank? How do stock and bond markets work and what purpose do they serve? *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 *** * Note: Formerly numbered ECON 296AA. Students may not receive credit for both ECON 231 and ECON 296AA. *
232 - Government and the Economy Considers rationales for government intervention in the economy. Assesses the impact of government activity on the economy and on the economic welfare of the population. Includes a comprehensive survey of Canadian tax and spending programs and policies. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 *** * Note: Students may not receive credit for both ECON 232 and BUS/ADMN 340. *
234 - Monetary Financial Crisis Causes and effects of famous financial panics and crashes throughout history, such as the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, and the dot.com bubble of the 1990s. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 ***
236 - Economics of Crime Does crime pay? Do governments punish and regulate crime too much or too little? Basic economic concepts are used to analyze criminal behaviour and anti-crime measures. Covers such issues as the underground economy, costs and benefits of anti-drug laws, and policies for preventing crime. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100. ***
237 - Economics of Canadian Regionalism Examines the disparities in economic development among the various regions of Canada and analyzes how governments have tried to balance regional and national interests in designing, delivering and financing public programs. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 ***
238 - Economics of Sports Are professional athletes paid too much? Should governments pay for stadiums? Can small-market franchises survive? *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 *** * Note: Formerly numbered ECON 296AC. Students may not receive credit for both ECON 238 and ECON 296AC. *
253 - Health Care in Canada Surveys the Canadian health care system from an economic perspective. Discusses common misconceptions about health care. Examines the economic costs and socio-economic benefits of health care in this country, and compares the health care system here with those prevailing in other countries. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 ***
273 - Environmental Economics Why are fish stocks disappearing? What are the economic causes of pollution? Will the Kyoto Protocol harm the Canadian economy? *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 ***
280 - Writing for Economists Students will work, individually and collaboratively, in classroom and library, on a range of writing assignments built around current economic policy issues. The goal is to help students, improve their research and writing skills. *** Prerequisite: Three ECON courses *** * Note: Registration is restricted to ECON majors only. * * Note: This course was formerly numbered ECON 380. Students may receive credit for only one of ECON 280 or 380. *
281 - Wages & Employment in Canada How are wages determined? What are the causes of unemployment? What policies are best suited for dealing with industrial injuries, part-time work, employee health, and retirement? *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 *** * Note: Formerly numbered ECON 381. Students may not receive credit for both ECON 281 and ECON 381. *
296 - Selected Topics I - an AA-ZZ series. Current-interest topics and occasional offerings, designed for students with little or no background in economics. *** Prerequisite: 15 credit hours or ECON 100 ***
296AC - Economics of Sports Topics may include the economic structure of professional sports leagues; the economics of superstar athletes, unions and discrimination in professional sports; the economic impact of sports franchises and stadiums; and the use of sports as a tool for regional economic development.
296AG - Economics of Global Warming Examines the risk of global climate change, and the potential economic impact of that change, as well as the economic impact of potential policies for reducing that risk especially the Kyoto Protocol. This includes estimating the the costs and benefits of implementing the Protocol in Canada.
296AH - Issues in Ecological Economics This course introduces students to theories and concepts in Ecological Economics through a discussion of contemporary environmental issues. *** Prerequisite: ECON 100 or 15 Credit Hours ***
296AI - Urban Economics This course introduces students to the application of economic theory to the study of cities and other municipalities. Issues covered may include crime, education, housing, municipal finance, and various economic models of location. *** Prerequisite: ECON 100 or 15 credit hours ***
301 - Intermediate Microeconomics l Presents a more advanced theory of the behaviour of households and firms in competitive and non-competitive markets. Applications include household allocation of time (labour supply), consumption choice over time (savings and borrowing) and alternative models of the behaviour of firms. *** Prerequisite: ECON 201 ***
302 - Intermediate Macroeconomics l - Economic Fluctuations Advanced economic concepts are used to explain how economies work at a national or regional level, with a focus on booms, recessions, government spending, taxation, and monetary policy. *** Prerequisite: ECON 202 ***
308 - Economic Growth This course surveys theories and models of economic growth, along with growth and development experiences of various countries. *** Prerequisite: ECON 202 or 211 and MATH 103 or 105 or 110 or permission of Department Head ***
309 - Intermediate Microeconomics II: Game Theory This course introduces students to the tools and logic of game theory to broaden the range of situations and actions to be considered in the study of microeconomics. The strategic behaviour of firms and other agents will be explored in cases when the actions of one agent have an impact on the actions of others. Topics include Nash equilibrium, sub-game perfection, assymetric information and risk. ***Prerequisites: Econ 301 and Math 103 or equivalent, or permission of Department Head***
311 - Economics of Developing Countries Comparative case studies of attempts by Third World countries to improve their living standards. Introduction to theories of how economies develop. *** Prerequisite: ECON 202 or ECON 211 ***
321 - Econometrics This course covers estimation and hypothesis testing in the simple and multiple regression model, consequences and remedies of estimation under non-classical conditions. Students will use econometric software in a laboratory setting. *** Prerequisite: STAT 160 or 200 or equivalent ***
322 - Mathematical Economics This course develops mathematical techniques used to conduct economic analysis, including differentiation, logarithmic and exponentiel functions, maximization and minimization. *** Prerequisite: ECON 201 & one of MATH 103, 105 or 110 ***
331 - Monetary Theory and Domestic Financial Markets Examines theories of money, financial markets, and institutions in a Canadian context. *** Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or three ECON courses ***
332 - Issues in Government Economics A continuation of ECON 232. Topics may include: rationale and financing options for the Canada Pension Plan; inter-provincial transfers (fiscal federalism); tax treatment of retirement savings and families; financing public education and health care; influence of the electoral process on government policies. *** Prerequisite: ECON 232 or BUS/ADMN 340 ***
341 - Canada and the Global Economy Uses theories of international trade to examine Canadian trade patterns, the impact of trade and trade agreements on the domestic economy, the effects of protectionism, and the role of finance. *** Prerequisite: ECON 201 ***
342 - Global Financial Markets A survey of international monetary and financial institutions and arrangements. Topics include foreign-exchange markets, international banking, hedge funds, currency speculation, alternative exchange-rate regimes, and regulation of global financial markets. *** Prerequisite: ECON 202 *** * Note: Formerly numbered ECON 441. Students may not receive credit for both ECON 342 and ECON 441. *
351 - Cost Benefit Analysis Introduces techniques for estimating in dollar terms the costs and benefits of real-world projects and policies. *** Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or three ECON courses ***
353 - Health Economics Examines the Canadian health care system from an economic perspective. Uses models of patient, physician and institutional behaviour to analyze the factors governing health and the demand for health care, and to evaluate competing proposals for health care reform. *** Prerequisite: ECON 201 or ECON 253 ***
354 - Economics of Cities Applies economic analysis to important questions regarding urban areas: why do they exist? what determines their location? what is their role in the Canadian economy? Other issues considered are: zoning policies, local government spending and taxation, urban economic development policy, and urban transportation policy. *** Prerequisite: ECON 201 ***
361 - Economics of Public Enterprise & Regulation A study of public policy toward big business: advantages and disadvantages of crown corporations, causes and effects of government intervention in private economic activities, regulation of the pricing and investment activities of firms. *** Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or three ECON courses ***
363 - Population Economics Examines the impact of changing population age structures on economic performance and public well-being. *** Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or three ECON courses ***
364 - Economics of Corruption The Course analyzes the incentives and deterrent of corrupt behaviour through the use of various economic models of corruption. The course examines causes and consequences of corruption, with a particular focus on transition econonies and developing countries. In addition, the course anlyzes corruption from an institutional abd transaction economics approach and as it sustains other illicit activities such as tax evasion, the underground economy, and organized crime. ***Prerequisites: 45 credit hours or 3 Econ courses.***
372 - Natural Resource Management on the Prairies Problems in the prairie oil/gas, timber, uranium, potash, power generation and water management sectors; preservation of prairie ecosystems; application of theory to determine how best to deal with these problems. *** Prerequisite: ECON 201 ***
396 - Selected Topics II - an AA-ZZ series. Current interest and occasional offerings with a significant writing component, designed for upper-year students. ***Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or three ECON courses***
396AB - Pol. Econ. of Chinese Dev The radical political and economic policy changes in China since 1949 are used to examine a number of different themes relating to spatial patterns of development. Topics will include: the agricultural and industrial sectors, internal and foreign trade, demography and the environment, social social welfare, and the role of the state. *** Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or 3 ECON courses. ***
396AC - Agricultural Pol. in Canada Discusses the economic environment of agricultural policy development. Addresses the role of provinces, the federal government and international organizations in the supply of agricultural programs/policy and the role of regional and commodity-sector interests in the demand for agricultural policy. *** Prerequisite: ECON 201 ***
396AF - Math. Econ. This course develops mathematical techniques used to conduct economic analysis including differentiation logarithmic and exponential functions, maximization and minimization. ***Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or 3 ECON courses**
396AL - Economics of Corruption Examines the causes and consequences of corruption, a worldwide phenomenon that involves economics and politics. Identifies the negative effects of corrupt behaviour on economic development and provides insights to why many developing countries with poor governance face serious obstacles to successfully implement good policies and escape their poverty trap. *** Prerequisites: 45 credit hours or 3 ECON courses ***
396AM - Current Economic Policy Issues Economic analysis of current policy issues which may include health care sustainability, financing a domed stadium in Regina, financing education with property taxes, urbanization and urban planning, climate change and environmental policy. Topics will vary according to instructor and timeliness of issues ***Prerequisite: 45 credit hours and 3 ECON courses. ***
396AN - Game Theory and Behaviour This course is intended to introduce students to the tools and logic of game theory. Game theory allows for a broader range of situations and actions to be considered than traditional microeconomic theory. Of particular interest will be the strategic behaviour of firms and other agents when the actions of one agent have an impact on the outcomes of other agents. Specific topics covered will include Nash equilibrium, subgame perfection, asymmetric information, and risk. *** Prerequisite: ECON 301 or Permission of the Department Head ***
397 - Selected Topics II B - an AA-ZZ series. Current interest and occasional offerings without a significant writing component, designed for upper-year students. ***Prerequisite: 45 credit hours or 3 ECON courses***
401 - Advanced Microeconomic Theory Selected advanced topics in microeconomic theory. Topics may include advanced consumer and production theory, general equilibrium theory, risk and uncertainty, externalities and public goods, welfare economics, economics of information and behavioural economics. ***Prerequisite: ECON 301, ECON 309 and ECON 322 or equivalent***
402 - Advanced Macroeconomic Theory Selected advanced topics in macroeconomic theory. Topics may include growth theory and policy, business cycle theory, stabilization policy, consumption and investment behaviour, monetary policy, and fiscal sustainability. *** Prerequisite: ECON 302, 308 and, ECON 322 or permission of Department Head ***
480 - Capstone Seminar in Economics Students will research an economic issue of personal interest under the supervision of a faculty member, present their work in class, and produce a term paper. *** Prerequisite: ECON 224, ECON 280, and one of ECON 311, ECON 354, ECON 360, ECON 361, ECON 362, ECON 363, or permission of Department Head ***
496 - Selected Topics III - an AA-ZZ series. Current interest and occasional offerings, intended primarily for honours students. *** Prerequisite: ECON 301 or ECON 302 ***
496AB - Econ of Growth & Development A reading course on selected topics regarding the political economy of economic growth and development. The emphasis is on emergent topics in the literature and on topics relevant to the research interests of the Student. ** Permission of Department Head is required to register. **
496AH - Saskatchewan Alternative Budget Students in this class will learn about government budgeting processes and will prepare a provincial budget. Students will present new policy initiatives and changes to current policies based on their research and other sources. *** Prerequisite: ECON 380 or permission of Department Head ***
496AI - Issues in Environmental and Resource Economics Analysis of the management of natural resources and the economic approach to the environment. Topics include methods of valuating the environment, externalities and property rights, the optimal use of natural renewable and non-renewable resources, and the approach of sustainable development. This course also examines a number of policy instruments such as environmental taxes, tradable permits, and environmental standards to address environmental problems of climate change, ozone depletion and water pollution . ***Prerequisite: ECON 301***
497 - Selected Topics III B - an AA-ZZ series. Current interest and occasional offerings without a significant writing component, designed for upper-year students, primarily honours students ***Prerequisite: ECON 301 or ECON 302, or permission of the department head***
499 - Honours Project Continuation of ECON 480. Students will expand their ECON 480 paper under the direction of a faculty member, and present the final project at a Departmental seminar. *** Prerequisite: Grade of at least 75% in ECON 480. *** * Note: ECON Honours students only. *
700 - Mathematics for Economics This course focuses on a number of mathematical techniques which are immediately useful for graduate level economics. These will include, but not necessarily be limited to; partial derivatives, total derivatives, unconstrained optimization, constrained optimization, and matrix algebra. This course is marked as pass/fail.
801 - Microeconomic Theory for Public Policy The microeconomic tools needed for public policy analysis. Students are introduced to the economic approach to the study of human behaviour. Special emphasis will be placed on the study of the circumstances under which markets achieve, or fail to achieve, an efficient allocation of the economy's resources.
802 - Macroeconomic Theory for Public Policy This course introduces the major policy questions of macroeconomics and presents macroeconomic models to assist policy development. An emphasis will be placed on current policy issues including monetary policy, fiscal policy, currency regimes, productivity and growth, demographic patterns and fiscal sustainability.
824 - Econometrics and Data Analysis Students will perform applied econometric analysis and use various econometric methods. During the course of the semester, the student will deal with various estimation techniques suited to different economic models and types of data.
830 - Policy Analysis and Evaluation Through extensive use of examples from various policy fields, the study of the art and science of applying economic principles and quantitative techniques in the provision of policy evaluation and advice. The course combined with Econ 824 serves as the gateway to the student?s research project in Econ 900.
831 - Applied Macroeconomics This course deals with major policy questions of macroeconomics and their practical application to monetary policy, fiscal policy, and international policy. This course will consider general policy-design issues, transition problems, as well as the problem of the everyday operation of policy rules.
832 - Tax Policy and Fiscal Federalism An economic approach is applied to topics such as the structure and economic impact of personal, corporate, sales, and property taxes, natural resource royalties, the division and coordination of tax bases between levels of government, tax competition, equalization and other intergovernmental transfers, the Social Union Framework Agreement, and international (inter-jurisdictional) tax issues.
872 - Resource and Environmental Economics Analysis of issues in the mangement of natural resources and the environment. Topics include optimal use of resources, valuation of non-market goods, taxation of resources, and the control of externalities. Contemporary problems and issues in natural resources and the environment will be explored using the tools developed in the class. their resolution. Other topics include rent collection, scarcity & the limits to growth controversy, pollution & externalities.
880 - Research and Writing in Economics for Public Policy Students will focus on a public policy issue and make this the focus of a number of research and writing assignments including public presentations, ministerial briefing notes, research and grant proposals and a research paper. This will serve as a stepping stone for their research project.
890 - Special Topics This course will allow students and faculty to work together to develop a course of readings and/or other work to allow the student to develop specialized knowledge in an area not currently offered as a standard course.
895 - Directed Readings This course will allow students and faculty to work together to develop a course of readings to allow the student to develop specialized knowledge in an area not currently offered as a standard course.
895AC - Health Economics and Policy The course will consider issues such as benefit coverage, compensation of healthcare providers, user fees, pharmaceuticals, regionals health boards, and comparative health policy. *** Prerequisite: permission of Department Head ***
895AD - Game Theory, Strategy and Economics Behavior Topics covered may include; Nash equilibrium, focal point equilibrium, ration herding, information cascades, sub game perfect equilibrium, and perfect Markov equilibrium.
900 - Research Project in Applied Economics The student will conduct a faculty-supervised research project, typically involving empirical work or critical analysis of an applied economic problem. The student will be required to present preliminary work and the final project at department seminars. The project will be presented and evaluated according to Faculty of Graduate Studies procedures.
