Economics of the Global Defense Environment

Course #GB3070

Est.imated Completion Time: 3 months

POC: NPS Online Support

Overview

This course introduces you to economics as a social science and teaches you the tools of micro-economic analysis that are necessary to understand and conduct economic policy analyses. One of the key tools of economic analysis is Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). You will learn the utility as well as the challenges of using CBA to study the role of the public sector in our market economy. After a brief introduction to CBA, which includes motivating the need for conducting CBA in the public sector, we study the fundamental tools of microeconomics, including supply and demand, elasticity, market equilibrium, social welfare, the effects of government interventions in the economy, and how firms make decisions in competitive and non-competitive markets. We then turn to the study of how to conduct CBA and how to be critical consumers of such analyses.

Included in degrees & certificates

  • 192

Prerequisites

  • MA2XXX College Algebra
  • equivalent

Learning Outcomes

  • Given a cost-benefit analysis in an academic setting, the student will evaluate the rationale for government intervention in the market.
  • Given a scenario in an academic setting, the student will correctly apply the economic way of thinking to analyze the effects of price controls, taxes, and subsidies on market outcomes.
  • Given a scenario in an academic setting, the student will correctly apply the concept of market efficiency and correctly describe when and how government intervention can improve market efficiency.
  • Given a scenario in an academic setting, the student will correctly articulate how competition influences firm behavior.
  • Given a cost-benefit analysis of a public policy, the student will evaluate the analysis in terms of its soundness, validity, and limitations.
Offerings database access
Asset Publisher

Application Deadlines

  •  08 Jan 2024

    Spring Quarter applications due

  •  01 Apr 2024

    Summer Quarter applications due

  •  08 Jul 2024

    Fall Quarter applications due

Asset Publisher

Academic Calendar

  •  09 Oct 2023

    Columbus Day (holiday)

  •  24 Oct 2023

    Shift day: treat as Friday class schedule

  •  10 Nov 2023

    Veteran's Day (holiday)

See NPS Academic Calendar for more dates.