Nov 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Economics, B.A.


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Economics

   Member of the Division of Social Studies

Chair(s):

Logan Lee

Faculty

Keith Brouhle
Thu Ha Bui
Xiang (Shawn) Chi
Bill Ferguson
Bradley Graham
Andrea Kelly
Xinchan Lu

Tamara McGavock
Mark Montgomery - Senior Faculty Status
Abhinaba Nandy
Eric Ohrn
Meredith Paker
Hâle Utar

       
Economics is the study of how society uses its scarce resources. The goal of the department is to promote an understanding of the economic aspects of society and to develop each student’s ability to reason about economic issues—that is, to provide a basis for intelligent, responsible participation in modern society.

The study of economics provides a background for careers in business and public service and a foundation for graduate study in economics, business, law, and public policy. The study of economics complements undergraduate or later graduate work in other social sciences. ECN 111  introduces a student to the discipline. The courses numbered 205–250 consider important areas of applied economics at a level accessible to all students. The tools of economic analysis are systematically developed in intermediate theory courses (ECN 280 , ECN 282 ), and Econometrics (ECN 286 ), which are recommended to all students who expect to make use of economics in their studies, careers, or avocations. Students should take one course numbered 205–250 before taking ECN 280 , ECN 282 , or ECN 286 ; students who have already taken ECN 280 , ECN 282 , or ECN 286  would not normally take courses numbered 205–250. Advanced analysis courses (those numbered 300–350) develop additional analytical capabilities, and seminar courses (351-399) provide advanced applications of the discipline’s theoretical, empirical, and institutional insights.

A student majoring in economics will find available complementary work in history, other social sciences, computer science, and mathematics (including statistics). Students will be expected to access data and to use statistical software to analyze economics issues. Off-campus study provides an excellent opportunity to observe and analyze how economic choices are made in other societies.

Major Requirements: a minimum of 32 credits


A minimum of 8 four-credit Economic courses are required.

Empirical Analysis: 4 credits


 One of the following courses:

Advanced Analysis Courses: 4 credits


 Select one course from Economics courses numbered 300-350:

History Requirement: 4 credits


  • One history course above the 100-level from a list approved by the economics department is required.  This course does not count toward the eight-course minimum required for the major.
  • To see which courses have been approved already or to see approval for a new off-campus study course, see the FAQs.

Note:


  • Several economics courses have mathematics courses as prerequisites. ECN 280  has a prerequisite of MAT 124  or MAT 131 ECN 286  has a prerequisite STA 209 . These math courses do not count toward the eight-course minimum required for the major. 
  • Economics MAPs and Independent Studies do not count towards the 32 credits for the major unless approved by the department.

Honors


To be considered for honors in economics, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College’s general requirements for honors, must demonstrate to the department’s satisfaction that they have achieved depth and breadth in their course of study.