Bachelor of Arts in Economics

The program leading to the B.A. degree is designed for students who wish to combine fundamental training in economics with a liberal arts education. In addition to the general education and related requirements, students have in excess of forty credit hours of unrestricted electives. Economics students are taught to identify the costs and the benefits of a decision, which are sometimes not obvious. The economist has the skill to identify the real consequences of a decision. That skill is valued highly. Economics is a useful major for anyone interested in a career in politics, business, law, Foreign Service, government, banking, or any other field in which the ability to make or analyze policy decisions is important. The demand for people with degrees in economics, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, is high. Economics deals with some of today’s most pressing issues: global warming, poverty, international trade, unemployment, the income distribution, education, the deficit, the emerging economies, and national defense. Major Learning Goals Upon successful completion of the B.A. degree, Economics majors will demonstrate: Ability to use supply and demand to analyze how world events affect market equilibrium prices and quantities Understanding of the theory of the firm and its implications for prices and production under different market structures Understanding of the role of prices and profits and losses in coordinating economic activity Ability to evaluate the efficiency of competitive market outcomes relative to alternative arrangements Ability to explain how GDP, the unemployment rate, inflation, interest rates, and economic growth are measured, to distinguish between real and nominal variables, and to explain the significance of these measures Understanding of and ability to analyze the determinants of long-run variations in national economic growth rates, wealth, and income Understanding of and ability to analyze the determinants of short-run fluctuations of economic variables over the business cycle Understanding of the goals and tools of monetary and fiscal policy Careers Business Community Planning Government Law Enforcement Nonprofits Policy Social Work