Economics
Economics
The courses offered in the Economics discipline at Ventura College provide students with the analytical tools, real world applications and theoretical background to comprehend economic events and understand the role of the various economic institutions within the U.S. economy and the motivations and consequences of the interactions between nations and firms in the global economy. In their study of economic theories and applications, students become more aware of their role in society as economic actors and as a result, develop their own perspective on the causes and solutions to some of the pressing economic topics of society. Students graduating with a major in economics for their Associate of Arts degree generally transfers to a four-year institution to complete a Bachelor's degree. Economics graduates at the Bachelor's level are qualified for a variety of positions with government, industry, and public interest organizations and they are well prepared to enter a graduate program in economics, business, journalism, law, or public policy. Teaching at the two-year college level is an option if a Master's degree is obtained. An economist can obtain the Ph.D. Degree, which may lead to research and/or teaching at the university level, or basic research in government, industry, or public interest organizations. Nearly every four-year college and university offers an economics major. Economics graduates have been considered one of the highest demand employment fields in America for a number of recent years
This course is a broad and comprehensive introduction to the operation of the American economy with emphasis on macroeconomics. Macroeconomics is concerned with obtaining an overview of the structure of the economy and the relationships between the major economic aggregates: aggregate measures of economic activity, macroeconomic equilibrium, money and financial institutions, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, economic growth, households, businesses, government and international economy. Macroeconomics involves the study of the levels of output, income, expenditures, employment, prices, and the government's ability to alter these levels by the use of fiscal and monetary policies.
This course is a continuation of the broad and comprehensive introduction to the operation of the American economy but with emphasis on microeconomics. Microeconomics is concerned with the small economic units: an individual household, firm, and industry. Microeconomics involves the study of scarcity, specialization and trade, market equilibrium, elasticity, production and cost theory, market structures, factor markets, and market failure, consumer behavior, the operation of the firm, and the competitive, monopolistic-competitive, oligopolistic, and monopolistic structures of industries. International trade and finance, comparative economic systems, and economic growth and development are also examined.
This course offers specialized study opportunities for students who wish to pursue projects not included in the regular curriculum. Students are accepted only by a written project proposal approved by the discipline prior to enrollment.
This course offers students who are volunteers (unpaid) an opportunity to obtain work experience related to their field of study. Students are accepted as a result of consultation with a designate faculty member in the discipline and the acceptance of an approved work proposal. This is an unpaid occupational work experience course, where 1 unit of credit is earned for each 60 hours of unpaid internship. A maximum of 4 units can be completed in a semester, and no more than 16 units can be earned in total.
This course offers students who are employed in the field an opportunity to expand their work experience related to their field of study. Students are accepted as a result of consultation with a designated faculty member in the discipline and the acceptance of an approved work proposal. This is a paid occupational work experience course, where 1 unit of credit is earned for each 75 hours of paid internship. A maximum of 4 units can be completed in a semester, and no more than 16 units can be earned in total.