Economics (ECON)

Economics is concerned with choice. Whether it’s a business interested in how much to produce or a student determining how much time should be spent studying for an exam, they both involve a choice – and economics can help make that decision. The method involves analyzing the benefits and costs of alternatives, and then selecting the best – a fundamentally simple and widely applicable approach. UH West O‘ahu offers the basic theoretical courses of microeconomics and macroeconomics and a variety of interesting electives ranging from a survey of Hawaii’s economy, to a course in money and banking, to one on environmental issues. The student graduating with a concentration in Economics will have a good knowledge of economic theory, a good sampling of the economic issues in the world, and the critical thinking skills to deal with those issues.

Concentration requirements:

For students with a concentration in Economics, 42 credits are required including the following courses:

    1. SSCI 486    Senior Project or SSCI 490 Social Sciences Practicum

    2. SSCI 300    Philosophy of the Social Sciences

    3. SSCI 301    Methods and Techniques in Social Science Research or SSCI 410 Applied Statistics II
    SSCI 410 Applied Statistics II is highly recommended or students concentrating in Economics.

    4. SSCI 310    Applied Statistics I

    5. HUM 310    Writing Skills or a passing score on the Writing Assessment Exam

    6. ECON 300  Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

    7. ECON 301  Intermediate Microeconomic Theory

    8. Additional courses in the discipline will be recommended for inclusion in the student’s educational plan based on specific competency goals established by the student.

    ECON 310   Concepts in Economic Theory
    ECON 311    Hawaii’s Economy
    ECON 321    Business Finance
    ECON 323    Economic and Financial Environment of Global Business
    ECON 325    Philosophy of Economics
    ECON 340    Money and Banking
    ECON 358    Environmental Economics
    ECON 396    Contemporary Economic Issues
    ECON 410    Economic Development
    ECON 432    Forecasting and Risk Management
    ECON 460    International Trade
    ECON 461    International Finance
    ECON 474    Economies of the Pacific Basin
    ECON 495    Urban Economics
    ECON 496    Selected Topics in Economics (v)
    ECON 499    Directed Reading and Research (v)

9.    Complementary Area: Nine credits in one additional Social Science concentration area.

Graduates with a concentration in Economics from UH West O‘ahu should be able to:

• Explain the importance of marginal thinking in economic theory and analysis.
• Use supply and demand analysis to explain regulated and unregulated markets.
• Demonstrate how the concepts of perfect competition and monopoly apply to actual examples.
• Explain current economic issues in theoretical terms.
• Explain how trade enhances growth in a global environment.
• Use aggregate demand and aggregate supply analysis to explain the issue of inflation, unemployment, and growth.