Course Descriptions

Shows the student how to understand the individual consumption and production decisions which are made within a market economy, guided by prices and costs. Economic concepts of supply, demand, cost, response to price changes, production, equilibrium, and income distribution are analyzed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Costs in addition to tuition may apply to Independent Studies sections of this course.

Shows the student how to understand the collective problems in economic policy, and the choices which face a modern economy. Social accounting, national income, consumption, saving, government spending, taxation, investment, interest rates, money and banking, foreign trade, and balance of payments are analyzed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: ECON 111 recommended. Costs in addition to tuition may apply to Independent Studies sections of this course.

Presents the student with a formal analysis of consumer demand, producer cost, market price and quantity behaviour in competition, monopoly and oligopoly. Course content is the same as in ECON 273, but this course does not use calculus, while ECON 273 does.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.3
Note: Students may only take one of ECON 211 or ECON 273 for credit.

Presents the student with a formal analysis of national accounting, the consumption function, investment, public expenditure, taxes, budgets, money and interest, general equilibrium, the open economy, aggregate supply and demand, public policy, inflation, and growth theory. Course content is the same as in ECON 274 but this course does not use calculus while ECON 274 does.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 114; and ECON 211 or ECON 273.
Note: Students may only take one of ECON 214 and ECON 274 for credit.

An examination of women's changing economic roles. Includes an analysis of labour force participation, wage inequality, gender differences in education, intra-household distribution of resources, economics of reproduction, and how technological change affects women.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.

An economic analysis of the labour market. Topics discussed will include the allocation of the labour force among sectors, industries and occupations and the functions and nature of the labour market. The problem of unemployment and public policy will be considered.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111 and ECON 114.

A study of the theories of wage determination in various institutional settings. Analysis of the general level of wages and employment will also be considered. Emphasis will be on theoretical models.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111 and ECON 114.

The historical background, philosophy and development of co-operatives are studied with special reference to the experience and problems of the prairie economy. Economic problems peculiar to co-operative organization are analyzed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.

An application of economic analysis to selected aspects of the health care delivery system. Emphasis will be placed upon an evaluation of the applicability of consumption and production theory to the delivery of physicians' services. Empirical work on the demand for and supply of physicians' services will be reviewed with particular reference to its significance for public policy.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.

A survey of the development of the international trading system with particular attention to its evolution in the post-World War II period.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.

A survey of the development of the international monetary system with particular attention to its evolution in the post-World War II period.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 114.

A review of the economic development of selected countries. The relevance of resources, financial institutions, government action and regional differences to problems of industrialization in these countries will be studied in the light of past and current theories of economic development.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111 and ECON 114.

Presents the student with a formal analysis of consumer demand, producer cost, market price and quantity behaviour in competition, monopoly, and oligopoly. Course content is the same as in ECON 211 but this course uses calculus while ECON 211 does not.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.3, and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 133.4, MATH 125.3, or MATH 176.3.
Note: Students may only take one of ECON 211 or ECON 273 for credit.

Presents the student with a formal analysis of national accounting, the consumption function, investment, public expenditure, taxes, budgets, money and interest, general equilibrium, the open economy, aggregate supply and demand, public policy, inflation, and growth theory. Course content is the same as in ECON 214 but this course uses calculus while ECON 214 does not.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 114.3; ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.
Note: Students may only take one of ECON 214 and ECON 274 for credit.

The application of economic analysis to issues concerning the use of natural resources, their management and conservation, as well as environmental effects following therefrom. Policy problems related to the ownership of natural resources, their management, and taxation will also be discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111 and ECON 114.

An introduction to the economic analysis of environmental issues. It will include analysis of environmental quality, benefit-cost analysis, and evaluation of different environmental policies and their application in Canada and Saskatchewan. It will conclude with analysis of global environmental issues.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111 and ECON 114.

The history of classical economics: Adam Smith, David Ricardo and Karl Marx, among others, with emphasis on the theories of value, distribution, growth, population, money and trade.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111 and ECON 114.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

An introduction to empirical techniques commonly used in economics and related disciplines. The course will cover topics pertaining to univariate and bivariate estimation and inference. Key economic data sets and statistical software are also introduced through a laboratory component.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): STAT 245, ECON 111, and ECON 114

An introduction to the application of quantitative methods in Economics.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.3; ECON 114.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.3, or MATH 176.3.

An introduction to comparative statics and optimization methods in Economics.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 111.3; ECON 114.3; one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3; and one of ECON 305.3, MATH 164.3 (formerly MATH 264), MATH 266.3.

Presents forecasting techniques for the economic variables necessary for planning by business, government and NGOs. The course includes choosing forecasting techniques. The course discusses both how to prepare a forecast and how to attack or defend a forecast.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 214.3 or ECON 274.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): 3 cu in STAT or one of PLSC 214.3, GE 210.3, COMM 104.3, EPSE 441.3, PSY 233.3, SOC 225.3.

A study of the evolution and kinds of money, its functions and its economic significance. Topics discussed include theories of the demand for money, the money supply process with particular emphasis on the role of chartered banks, central banking, and financial intermediation. The concepts developed in this analytical survey are then utilized to evaluate recent Canadian monetary policy.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211 or ECON 273.

Studies theories of economic development. Topics include human resources, financial institutions, sectoral composition, international trade, and income distribution.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 214 or ECON 274
Note: Students with credit for ECON 417 will not receive credit for this course. This course was labeled ECON 417 until 2013.

Extends the use of basic price theory to the study of market structure, conduct, and performance results. The major structural characteristics of industries in Canada, and their market conduct and performance in relation to general standards of economic welfare will also be discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

A consideration of those factors which systematically influence the development and growth of cities, their spatial structure, the markets for selected public services, and some special problems of urban public finance. Selected reference is made to empirical studies of Canadian cities.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211 or ECON 273; and one of MATH 104, MATH 110, MATH 121, MATH 123, MATH 125, or MATH 176.

A survey of the principles of resource allocation in the public sector in relation to the role and effect of expenditure policies on the achievement of the major economic objectives. Topics include public choice, cost-benefit analysis and major expenditure programs.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

A survey of the principles of resource allocation in the public sector in relation to the role and effect of taxation and expenditure policies on the achievement of the major economic objectives. Topics include the major taxes, fiscal federalism, public debt, public choice, cost-benefit analysis and major expenditure programs.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.
Note: Students with credit for ECON 350 or ECON 352 cannot take this course for credit. Students may receive credit for ECON 351 and ECON 350 and/or ECON 352 only if ECON 351 is taken first.

A survey of the principles of resource allocation in the public sector in relation to the role and effect of taxation policies on the achievement of the major economic objectives. Topics include the major taxes, fiscal federalism, and growth and the debt.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

A survey of the theory and practice of international trade and commercial policy. Topics include theories of the determinants of trade, the effects of customs unions, imperfect competition and growth on trading patterns and welfare, and the theory of trade policies.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

A survey of the theory and practice of the international monetary system. Topics examined include the determination of exchange rates, the international movements of capital, the conditions for balance of payments equilibrium, the process adjustment to disequilibria, and policy options in open economics.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 114.3; ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

Extensions and applications of microeconomic theories. Topics include pricing with market power; game theory; factor markets; choice under uncertainty, intertemporal choice; asymmetric information; contracts; externalities, public goods.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

This course examines extensions and applications of macroeconomic theories. Topics include theories of consumption and investment, asset pricing, fiscal and monetary policy, and search models of the labour market.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 214.3 or ECON 274.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

Energy Economics studies a wide range of issues dealing with energy consumption, energy production, and energy markets. It covers a variety of theoretical and empirical topics related to energy demand and supply, the energy market structure, energy policies, and environmental impacts in the national and global contexts.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 114.3; ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

The marginal utility theory, marginal productivity theory, neoclassical monetary theory and Keynesian economics; Menger, Jevons, Walras, Wicksteed, Marshall, Wicksell and Keynes, among others.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 214.3 or ECON 274.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

Designed to provide students with an opportunity to study economic policy development, the application of economic theory and quantitative methods, and general economic analysis from the perspective of public, private, and non-profit organizations through a combination of on-site observations, directed readings, research and analysis.

Permission of the department.
Prerequisite(s): 60 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students are required to have a basic understanding of economic theory, quantitative methods, and general economic analysis. A junior course in calculus may be required when necessary for the specific internship.

Research work on theoretical, empirical, and policy topics in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, or economics history/economic thought, under the supervision of members of the department.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 214.3 or ECON 274.3; one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3; and permission of the department.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

An introduction to the application of econometric methods to the examination of economic problems. The necessary techniques will be examined in both their theoretical and empirical aspects.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 304.3; ECON 214.3 or ECON 274.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.
Note: This course is mutually exclusive to ECON 804.3.

This course explores advanced econometric methods commonly used in current research and policy analysis.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 408; and one of ECON 305, MATH 164 (formerly MATH 264), or MATH 266.
Note: Students with credit for ECON 404 may not take ECON 409 for credit.

An examination of recent developments in the field of monetary theory. Topics include market-clearing and non-market-clearing models of business cycle fluctuations, rational expectations, the policy ineffectiveness debate, and the time inconsistency of optimal policy.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 214.3 or ECON 274.3; one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3; and permission of the department.

This course provides micro-foundations for modern finance. It covers asset pricing and the valuation of risky cash flows. It emphasizes the relationship between theory and data, applying economic and statistical tools to the study of financial markets.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4 or MATH 176.3; and one of STAT 245.3 or COMM 207.3 or equivalent.
Note: Students with credit for ECON 498.3 Financial Economics may not take this course for credit.

A study of game theory - the analysis of choice in situations involving strategy, in which optimal behaviour depends explicitly on the behaviour of others. Covers the theories of bargaining games, both cooperative and non-cooperative games, both zero-sum and non-zero-sum games, and the analysis of uncertainty.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

Introduction to theories of consumer demand and of cost and production by means of the calculus and linear algebra. The necessary mathematical tools will be taught in the course. Recommended for potential honours and graduate students.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 114.3; ECON 211.3 or ECON 273.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

Research work on theoretical, empirical and policy topics in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, economic history or history of economic thought under the supervision of members of the Department of Economics.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 214.3 or ECON 274.3; and one of MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 125.3, MATH 133.4, or MATH 176.3.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Studies theories of exchange, consumer demand, production and cost, and pricing.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

A survey of macro-economic theory, and includes theories of the consumption function, theories of investment, money and interest rates, monetary and fiscal policy, and general equilibrium theory.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

A research project serves as the primary tool to learn econometric techniques, but is augmented by a consideration of the theoretical aspects of econometrics.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: This course is mutually exclusive to ECON 408.3.

A study of the mathematical formulation and investigation of economic relationships. Topics include the theory of consumer demand, theory of the individual firm, input-output analysis, models of aggregate economic activity and economic growth.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

The fundamentals of estimation and inference in the classical regression model, with applied laboratory sessions using actual economic data. Topics covered typically include: multiple linear and non-linear regression models; least squares; maximum likelihood; instrumental variables; statistical properties of estimators; asymptotic theory; restrictions; measurement error; serial correlation; heteroskedasticity; systems of equations.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: Students with credit for BPBE 860 will not receive credit for this course.

Considers estimation and inference in different econometrics models. The first part deals with time-series econometrics and nonstationary data: unit root; cointegration; single-equation and system methods. The second part covers panel data and discrete choice. Additional topic is added based on instructor’s current interests. Application of these techniques in applied projects.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for BPBE 861 will not receive credit for this course.

Studies recent developments in the pure theory of trade. Topics include current explanations of patterns of trade and factor movements, the formation of regional free trade areas, commercial policies and international cartels.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

This course provides both a general overview of topics in Development Economics during the first half of the class, and a special focus on Risk-Coping Mechanisms during the second half of the class. The topics covered for the first half include sustainable development, poverty and vulnerability, inequality, agricultural household models and impact assessment of development policies and programs. After that we will focus on how poor people in rural areas can cope with adverse risks. Hereby we will cover topics such as credit, insurance, migration and risk sharing agreements in social networks. We will look at economic theory, empirical applications, as well as related lab-in-the-field experiments.

Prerequisite(s): ECON 800.3 and ECON 808.3 or permission of the instructor.

The functioning of labour markets including labour supply, labour demand, accumulation of skills, contracts, and unemployment.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in economics; or permission of the instructor.

Energy Economics aims at providing graduate students with the opportunity to study a wide range of issues dealing with energy consumption, energy production, and energy markets, and policies. It covers a variety of advanced theoretical and empirical topics related to energy demand and supply, the energy market structure, energy policies, macroeconomic and environmental impacts. The course reviews both conventional and alternative energy sources in the context of local, national, and global markets and uses advanced economic tools to analyze the current and evolving economic issues in energy sector.

Prerequisite(s): ECON 800.3; ECON 801 and ECON 804 are recommended

Examines health economic issues and the functioning of health care markets using microeconomic theory. Topics include health insurance and demand for health, production of health, economic evaluation methods, economic explanations for the behavior of health care providers, functioning of insurance markets, cost efficiency and regulation in health care markets.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Permission of instructor required.

Provides a comprehensive treatment of general equilibrium and welfare economics, market failures, game theory, the economics of uncertainty and information, the theory of incentives.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 800 or equivalent.

A survey of advanced topics in modern macroeconomic theory. Topics include theories of growth, real business cycles, search in labour markets, nominal business cycles and macro policy.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): ECON 801 or equivalent.

Reading, essays and discussions in an approved special field. This course will be offered only in special circumstances.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Offered occasionally in special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Paid co-op internship with government and private organizations. The application of economic theory and statistical tools to research questions. Designed to provide students with an experiential learning opportunity to complement rigorous training in the coursework. After each co-op placement, students are required to submit a written report outlining research work done during the placement.

Prerequisite(s): GPS 960.0, and a minimum of 15 credit units toward the M.A. in Economics including ECON 800.3, ECON 801.3, ECON 808.3
Note: Students may complete up to 3 co-op terms.

Reports and discussion on current development and research. All graduate students in economics are required to register. Attendance and at least one paper is required for all postgraduate students during their time as a postgraduate student, whether for one year or more.

A required course for students following the project M.A. option. A research paper on an approved topic must be submitted. The topic may be empirical in nature, or a critical review of the literature, or a critical analysis of some theoretical problem. The paper will be examined by a supervisor and two other members of the department.

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Economics Ph.D. program.