Economics, Minor

Economics focuses on how people choose to use resources when faced with competing uses for them. The analysis can be directed to individuals and how time and income are spent, or to society and how it allocates scarce resources. For society, issues of unemployment, inflation, and growth are also focal points of the analysis. Economics majors gain strong analytical skills and the ability to critically evaluate alternatives. Communication skills are also stressed. These skills translate into entry-level positions in business or provide a foundation for law school, an M.B.A., or graduate school. The department also offers a master of arts in economics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in economics are expected to:

• Demonstrate a command of basic characteristics of the American and global economy by using this knowledge to critically evaluate economic outcomes;
• Demonstrate a command of basic economic theory by using this theory to make predictions and to analyze alternative economic policy options;
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate in both oral and written forms by presenting arguments and evidence clearly and concisely;
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in and understand moral reasoning with respect to economic issues by recognizing the implicit value conflicts present in all economic policy debates;
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in problem solving, using basic economic theory;
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in critical thinking as a part of the analysis of economic problems.