Economics

Why take courses in this discipline?

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.

How does the discipline contribute to the liberal arts?

Courses in economics involve quantitative reasoning and the study of human behavior and society.

What kinds of questions are asked in this field?

Economists study a wide range of issues related to human behavior and society. Broadly, the discipline is interested in the role of incentives on behavior and pays particular attention to the resulting impacts of different behaviors on individual and social welfare.

How does a student get started?

The introductory course is Introduction to Economics (ECN 111).

Several economics courses have mathematics and statistics courses as prerequisites. Students should take MAT 124 or MAT 131 in preparation for intermediate theory courses (such as ECN 280 and ECN 282). Students should also take STA 209 (they should not take MAT 115/SST 115) to enroll in the methods course of the discipline (ECN 286).

Students majoring in economics must complete a history course above the 100-level from an approved list. An up-to-date list of approved history courses can be found on the economics department website.

AP/IB Credit

A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Economics Macro or AP Economics Micro would count for four credits in the social studies division. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Economics Macro and AP Economics Micro would allow the student to skip ECN 111 and enroll in a lower 200-level economics class. (Note: The credits from the AP exams would count toward graduation requirements but not toward the 32 required credits for the major.) A score of 6 or 7 on the IB Economics exam would also allow the student to skip ECN 111 and enroll in a lower 200-level economics class.

Courses in Economics

All Courses in Economics

Lower 200-Level Courses

Current State of the U.S. Economy
Labor Economics
Gender and the Economy
Foundations of Policy Analysis
Economics of Innovation
Economic Development
International Economics
Health Economics
Money and Banking
Resource and Environmental Economics
Financial Economics
Public Finance
Economic History

200-Level Theory Courses

Microeconomic Analysis
Macroeconomics Analysis
Econometrics

Advanced Analysis Courses

Financial and Managerial Accounting
Corporate Finance
Advanced Econometrics
Behavioral and Experimental Economics
Applied Game Theory
Introduction to Mathematical Economics

Senior Seminars

Environmental Economics
Political Economy
Economic Development
International Trade
Law and Economics
Crime
Monetary Economics
Global Factor Movements
Health Economics
Seminar in Corporate Tax

Sample Four-Year Plan for an Economics Major
Year	Fall	Spring
First	ECN 111 MAT 131 (in either semester) or MAT 123	lower 200-level course (ECN 205-250) MAT 131 (in either semester) or MAT 124 (if you took MAT 123)
Second	ECN 280 STA 209	ECN 282
Third	ECN 286 Approved history course	Advanced Analysis class (ECN 300-350)
Fourth	Senior Seminar (ECN 351-395)	Senior Seminar (ECN 351-395)

Off-Campus Study

Recommended programs: University College London; Stockholm School of Economics; London School of Economics. Under special circumstances and with prior approval, courses taken off-campus may count toward the major.

Contributions to Other Majors/Concentrations

Courses in Economics contribute to concentrations in:

Department Events and Opportunities

Economics students can apply for numerous awards, grants, scholarships, and fellowships. The department has opportunities for student mentors, graders, and tutors. Students may also participate in the Pioneer Capital Investments, Social Entrepreneurs of 51��app, and the Diversity and Inclusivity Club for Economics (DICE).

51���app