Undergraduate Courses

We can distinguish the courses we offer in the following way:

The gateway course:  Economics 101. 

Economics 101, or Introduction to Economics, provides a basic introduction to the basic tasks of economic systems and the basic functions that any economic system must perform.  The course also employs an analytical framework that students learn in this course and can use in other courses and in their post-graduation career.   While students majoring in Economics will take Economics 101, so also will students with other undergraduate majors.  These include Journalism, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Health and Business.  Our instructors recognize this diversity of interest and tailor the learning environment of the course.

The major in Economics.

Many students choose to follow a more in-depth study of Economics through declaring a major in Economics.  Students choosing to establish a major in Economics will devote a minimum of 24 hours to Economics courses out of the 120 hours required for graduation.  An undergraduate major in a liberal arts curriculum is designed to expand and deepen familiarity with economic analysis and institutions, and to instill new skills such as application of statistical and econometric methods.  You can learn more about the requirements for completing the Economics major here.

Courses offered as requirements for students in other undergraduate curricula.

Many curricula and majors on campus integrate economic analysis into their own field of expertise.  The faculty of the Economics Department create and offer courses that satisfy this integration. We design these courses to reflect our own standards for competence as well as the needs of the curriculum or department in which the student is enrolled.

Courses offered to the broad university community within the General College.

Other undergraduates or graduate students will take Economics courses because of some specific interest. Our goal is to make the principles of economics accessible and attractive to these students while not sacrificing the rigor of the discipline.  These courses include First Year Seminars on a variety of economics topics as well as a number of core economics courses within the Honors Program.

Internship credit.

Economics 293, or Internship in Economics, satisfies the College’s Experiential Education requirement. The syllabus and application form are online. Be sure to apply before your internship starts. If this course credit is approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Economics 293 will count as a course toward towards graduation with the major.