ECON 3398 Economics and Defense

This upper-division elective explores the economic foundations of national defense through the lens of industrial organization and technology-driven growth models. Students will analyze the structure and behavior of defense industries, examining monopoly and monopsony dynamics, procurement incentives, and the role of public-private partnerships in defense innovation. The course will also assess how technological advancements drive military capabilities, influence strategic competition, and shape long-term economic security. Case studies will highlight the interaction between defense policy, industrial policy, and economic constraints, equipping students with the analytical tools to evaluate defense-related economic decisions in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Course overview

Department
Economics
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Periodically

Catalog details

Prerequisites
ECON2201 (or ECON2203)

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.50 / 5 · Excellent
24 responses
Instructor rating
4.73 / 5 · Excellent
24 responses
Terms evaluated
1
Most recent: Fall 2025

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Fall 2025Peter Devine4.54.73.64.04.84.64.74.91–3 hrs/week24 of 33

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Peter Devine · Devlin Hall 218 MW 04:30PM-05:45PM · Offered