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Faculty and professional interests
Judith Thorn, Biology, chair
Ely Fair
   Macroeconomics, economic policy, poverty and inequality
Ameesh Upadhyay
   Microeconomics, econometrics, political economy, development
Moheeb Zidan
   Macroeconomics, economic growth, inequality, trade

Economics is the study of the production and allocation of society's resources. The study of economics applies theoretical, empirical, historical, and quantitative approaches with a particular emphasis on the study of markets, employment, public goods, and power.

The economics curriculum includes core classes in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and electives in various fields of economics such as international trade, public economics, labor economics and industrial organization. Students also have the opportunity to explore diverse paradigms in economics. Students may pursue focused research through independent study or in senior honors projects.

Coursework in economics emphasizes the development of analytic and problem-solving abilities that have an important place in any informed citizen's education. Students may involve themselves deeply in public policy analysis, which takes advantage of the close relation between economics and political science, and may continue their study in several off-campus programs in Washington, Copenhagen, and London, among others.

The major prepares students for study at the graduate level in economics, business, law and public policy, as well as for employment.

Because economics makes extensive use of mathematics, joint study of economics and mathematics is often pursued. Students interested in graduate work in economics should take advanced classes in mathematics and consult with members of the economics department early in their college career to ensure proper preparation.

Departmental Learning Goals

Students completing an Economics major will be able to:

1. Analyze social problems and explain current events using appropriate economic models,
2. Describe and discuss the strengths and limitations of particular economic models in analyzing a problem or explaining a current event,
3. Interpret statistical techniques used in economic analysis and effectively communicate statistical results

Writing and Oral Presentation

Writing: Students completing a major in Economics will be able to write effectively for both general and academic audiences. In ECON 303, Introduction to Econometrics, students select their research question; collect data; estimate, diagnose and remediate regression results; and write a research paper. Many of the elective courses have research papers that require students to develop arguments, present evidence and/or explain theories.

Oral Presentation: Students completing a major in Economics will be able to articulate their research findings in oral presentations in introductory and elective courses. Students will make frequent presentations in ECON 399 in which they will apply economic theories to explain current events.

Requirements for the Major and Minor

Economics Course Descriptions