Description
Economics is the study of how societies allocate their scarce resources. It examines individual and social action related to the use of limited resources toward the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics students may complete two-year education programs, as well as transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Students may advance toward careers in both public and private sectors, and will actively engage in a wide range of economic, social and political processes.
Courses at PCC introduce students to economics and prepare students for transfer into upper division courses. The transfer sequence consists of EC 201 and EC 202. Students do not need to take EC 201 first. PCC also offers other economics courses, see the course section for individual courses and course prerequisites.
EC 200. Introduction to Economics. 4 Credits.
Covers six topic areas: basic economic concepts, microeconomics, macroeconomics, the history of economic ideas, international trade and a variety of economic issues. Recommend: MTH 95. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS
EC 201. Principles of Economics: Microeconomics. 4 Credits.
Introduces the principles of microeconomics. Enhances the ability to recognize and analyze economic problems in the United States. Covers the American microeconomic system, which includes a familiarization with the basis of the price system and resource allocation; the operation of the firm; market concentration; regulation and antitrust policies. Recommended: MTH 95, MTH 98, OR MTH 105Z. Please note that it is not necessary to complete this class before taking EC 202. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS
EC 202. Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics. 4 Credits.
Covers the overall economy. Includes the basic reasons for and the problems of recession, inflation, and stagflation; the use of monetary, fiscal, and incomes policies; and other economic management tools. Recommended: MTH 95, MTH 98, OR MTH 105Z. Please note that it is not necessary to complete EC 201 before taking this class. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS
EC 203. Principles of Economics: Applications to Economic Issues. 4 Credits.
Covers economic topics related to current events. Includes international trade and finance; energy and resource economics; poverty, discrimination, and income distribution in national economies and the global economy; economic development; financial market instability; environmental and sustainability issues; government and central bank policies and competing ideologies; other current or relevant topics. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS
EC 216. Labor Markets: Economics of Gender, Race, and Work. 4 Credits.
Covers topics related to labor markets with emphasis on the economic status of women and their decisions about work and family. Includes recent developments in the labor market; the gender pay gap and women-men occupational differences; labor supply decisions; human capital theory; racial discrimination; economics of marriage and household decisions. Recommended: MTH 95. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS
EC 221. Globalization and International Relations. 4 Credits.
Provides an introductory survey of economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of globalization and evaluates their impacts on international relations. Examines patterns of conflict and cooperation among countries including the influence of international institutions, NGOs, and global corporations. Introduces selected issues such as war and peace, global security, environment, elites and concentration of power, wealth and income distribution, cultural and ethnic identities and explores possible peaceful solutions to these global problems. PS 221, EC 221 and SOC 221 are equivalent and only one may be taken for credit. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS
EC 285. Introduction to Political Economy. 4 Credits.
Covers specific topics related to the United States economy from a systems/institutional perspective. Includes key institutions that make up the U.S. economy such as, corporations, government, the market system, labor unions, monetary and financial institutions, and others. Examines three problem areas: environmental degradation and resource depletion; social and political inequality; and economic instability. Introduces possible solutions based on institutional change and develops viable economic alternatives based on principles of environmental sustainability, equity and economic stability. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS