+ Economics

3002 Business Administration, 419-372-2646

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 on 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.
  

Major, Bachelor of Arts—minor required
(36 hours)

• First year
  
  • MATH 120 (5) or MATH 122 (3) or MATH 128 (5) or higher. Students considering graduate degrees in economics should take MATH 126 or 131.
• Second year
  
  • STAT 200 (3) or higher, or PSYC 270 (4) or SOC 369 (3). (Not included in the 33 hours necessary for an economics major.) STAT 200 is recommended. Equivalent statistics may be accepted with the approval of the adviser.
  • ECON 202, 203 (6)
• Third year
  
  • ECON 301 or 302, 303, 473 (9)
• Fourth year
  
  • ECON electives (15)*

All economics majors must satisfy a written and oral communications requirement in economics. Certification by an economics faculty member is required. Details are available in the department office.

Minor (21 hours)

• Second year
  
  • ECON 202, 203 (6)
• Third year
  
  • ECON electives (6)
• Fourth year
  
  • ECON electives (9)

If the college of the student's major does not allow the same course to be counted for both the major and the minor, the number of remaining hours for the minor must be at least 21 in Economics.

*ECON 200 does not count in the major or minor.

Other programs
Programs in economics also are offered by the College of Business Administration.