Economics BA

There is practically no dimension of human activity that remains unaffected by economic forces. As a field of study, economics is central to our lives as individual consumers and producers and more broadly as informed, articulate, and responsible members of a community. The Economics major provides students with an understanding of how societies are organized so as to provide for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Particular attention is given to the United States economy and its connections to the globalization of economic relations in the post-World War II eras.

Students gain an understanding of such important economic topics as inflation and recession; money and banking; the relationship between government and business, international economics and trade; the economics of class, race, and gender; and a comparative analysis of other economic systems. Economics is a rigorous and intellectually demanding field of study combining practical knowledge with historical understanding, analytical techniques with philosophical inquiry, and economic theory with government and corporate policy. Diversity of opinion is emphasized through the study of different ideas and schools of thought. The major in the Anisfield School of Business provides important linkages to practical business techniques and knowledge.

Graduates may seek careers in banking, economics research, or a variety of entry-level positions in business and government.  They may also pursue graduate work in economics, business, and law. Those students interested in graduate work in Economics are strongly urged to take Calculus.

A group of economists, with expertise in a wide range of specializations within the discipline, comprise the full-time faculty in the economics program. Cooperative education and extracurricular activities are available to the program’s students. Each Economics student is advised by a member of the program’s faculty.

An program is also offered.

Goal 1 - Effective Communication: Students will demonstrate the ability to create and deliver effective communication that influences a target audience in business settings.

Outcome 1: Students will communicate clearly defined purposes, supported by credible evidence, to effectively influence their audience.

Outcome 2: Students will organize messages logically and coherently to maximize effectiveness and clarity.

Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to tailor messages effectively to their audience’s background, expectations, and context.

Outcome 4: Students will utilize engaging delivery techniques to sustain audience interest and enhance understanding.

Goal 2 - Ethics: Our students will consider the moral implications of business actions and processes and propose ethically-sound solutions.

Outcome 1: Students will detect ethical dilemmas and offer potential alternatives and solutions.

Goal 3 - Foundation: Our students will have a broad-based knowledge in the functional areas of business.

Outcome 1: Students will comprehend principles and practices in key business disciplines.

Goal 4 - Perspectives: Our students will consider diverse points of view and apply them towards issue resolution.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to identify and analyze different points of view when seeking to resolve business-related issues.

Goal 5 - Reasoning: Our students will be critical thinkers and decision makers able to use qualitative and quantitative methods.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to identify and analyze problems and opportunities, generate alternatives, and recognize appropriate solutions.

Goal 6 - Foundational Knowledge in the Discipline: Economics students will have a broad-based knowledge in the functional areas of economics.

Outcome 1: Economics students will be able comprehend principles and practices in key areas of economics.

Goal 7 - Specialized Knowledge in the Discipline

Outcome 1: Our economics students will apply the specific knowledge gained in economics elective coursework in the analysis of current economics problems.