The faculty of economics is a community of teacher-scholars engaged in theoretical, empirical and historical approaches to the study of the global economy and the varieties of capitalism extant in the world today. The faculty aims to create a collaborative teaching, learning and research environment emphasizing global awareness, environmental sensitivity and the synergies between theory and practice. Students majoring in economics are expected to acquire competencies in theory and empirical analyses, to adopt either an international or political concentration in their course work or to design their own major in consultation with two faculty members in economics. Individually designed majors are required to complete all core economics course requirements. Majors are required to participate in our lecture series and are strongly encouraged to spend either a semester, year or summer studying abroad. Majors are also encouraged to work with a faculty member in economics on at least one research project. A 3-credit internship in a major international city such as Washington, D.C., is recommended.
Requirements for the Major
The economics major requires a minimum of 36-39 credits in economics at the 200 level or above.
All majors must take the following core economics courses:
All majors must also take:
An internship (ECON 399—3 credits) is recommended. All majors are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad semester, year or summer.
Focus Areas
All Economics majors focus in either International Economics, Political Economy, Financial Economics, or a General Specialization. Economics major may also create an individualized interest focus in economics.
Economics (General)
Majors with a focus in Economics (General) are required to take all of the courses required of all majors listed above plus five courses from the following courses (15 credits):
Financial Economics
Majors with a focus in International Economics are required to take all of the courses required of all majors listed above plus the following courses (9 credits):
In addition, the Financial Economics focus requires two additional courses from the Elective Requirement list that are different from the required courses listed above.
Individualized Interest - 15 credits
Economics majors may develop, in consultation with their economics faculty adviser, an individual interest focus that specializes on a particular career interest. Examples of include international economic development and the economics of gender.
International Economics
Majors with a focus in International Economics are required to take all of the courses required of all majors listed above plus three of the following courses (9 credits):
| ECON 304 | International Political Economy | 3.0 |
| ECON 324 | International Trade | 3.0 |
| ECON 460 | International Finance & Open Economy Macroeconomics | 3.0 |
| MGMT 314 | International Business | 3.0 |
In addition, the International Economics focus requires two additional courses from the Elective Requirement list that are different from the required courses listed above.
Political Economy
Majors with a focus in Political Economy are required to take all of the courses required of all majors listed above plus three of the following courses (9 credits):
In addition, the Political Economics focus requires two additional courses from the Elective Requirement list that are different from the required courses listed above.
Elective Requirements
International Economics, Political Economy, and Financial Economics require 6 credits from the list of courses below that are different from the required courses taken for the focus area:
Students planning to pursue a doctorate in economics should also take: