Economics, BA

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Economics is the study of the process through which individuals and societies solve a particular human problem: how to ensure that limited resources are put to their highest and best use. Economists research a variety of subjects related to this particular problem, including unemployment, technological change, poverty, environmental quality and international trade.

Two trends in the modern economy are given special emphasis in the economics major. First, for the last two centuries there has been a trend in the global economy toward the use of individual choice through markets as the process for dealing with this basic human problem of resource use. Second, there is an increasing economic integration among the world’s economies as global trade in international markets becomes extensive.

The 21st century will see a continuation of the spread of markets as the organizing mechanism of economic activity throughout the world. The economics major focuses on how markets serve this function and analyzes what policies are needed for them to serve it effectively. With this focus, the economics major is structured to assist students in gaining a systematic introduction to the theoretical and empirical techniques of economics. Since many areas of economics have broad social implications, the major also provides the opportunity to study economics as a social science and to discover the interrelationships which economics has with other disciplines.

Economics is primarily an analytical discipline. Therefore, the economics major begins with a core of theory and research methods that students will need in order to analyze economic problems.

Students will then work on economic problems by choosing from options in the areas of economic and social policy, economic theory and applications, global economic issues, and business economics. Students complete the major through their participation in a senior experience seminar or their production of a St. Mary’s Project. The goals of the major are to provide students with a framework for understanding and evaluating the operation of the United States and other economies, to assist them in the formation of intelligent, informed and critical judgments on economic issues of public and private concern, and to empower them to have a solid foundation of economic knowledge that will enable them to be lifelong learners.

A major in economics provides a suitable basis for careers in business, government and international agencies, law, teaching, public service and journalism. It also offers the introductory stage for students interested in graduate work in economics or business. As the economy of the 21st century will require knowledgeable workers who can function in information-based organizations, courses in the economics major stress the use and application of information technology.

Members of the economics faculty will advise each student on the composition of an appropriate program, given the individual’s interests and objectives. Any student considering a major in economics is urged to consult with a member of the economics faculty as early as possible. Members of the economics faculty are committed to mentoring students in the development of their own ideas in the initiation and realization of St. Mary’s Projects.

Graduate School Preparation

Students who are considering graduate study in economics are strongly advised to take coursework in mathematics and statistics beyond those required for the major. ECON 425 and MATH 151 , MATH 152 and MATH 256 are essential for graduate study; MATH 255 and MATH 312 are recommended as well.

Learning Outcomes

Explain the fundamentals of micro and macro economic theory
Perform data analysis within the context of economics
Interpret economic data
Apply economic tenets across the subfields within economics
Produce develop evidence based theses within the discipline of economics
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication

Degree Requirements

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major

Minimum of 48 Credit Hours of Coursework

A minimum of 48 credit hours of coursework carrying economics credit and distributed as follows:

Theory core: 16 credits consisting of

ECON 102 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit Hours: 4
ECON 103 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit Hours: 4
ECON 251 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Credit Hours: 4
ECON 252 - Intermediate Microeconomics Credit Hours: 4

Analytical skills

four credits consisting of ECON 253 - Economic Statistics Credit Hours: 4

Field-Specific Economic Analysis

Up to 4 credits of 300-level coursework can be satisfied through any combination of directed research, independent study, or internship experiences. A minimum of 20 credits must be earned by taking named courses in the ECON 300 - ECON 380 range.

twenty-four credit hours of economics coursework at the 300-level

Senior Experience

Senior Experience: The objectives of the courses in this requirement are to give students a way to build on the theory and methods of economics learned during the first three years, to allow students to gain expertise in the area they choose to study, and to improve their research and writing skills. Students must choose at least one of the following courses:

ECON 405 - The History of Economic Thought Credit Hours: 4
ECON 412 - U.S. Economic History Credit Hours: 4
ECON 425 - Econometrics Credit Hours: 4
ECON 459 - Senior Seminar in Economics Credit Hours: 4
ECON 493 - St. Mary’s Project in Economics Credit Hours: 1-8 (An eight credit hour St. Mary’s Project in economics or other major may fulfill the senior experience with the permission of the chair of the Economics Department) AND
ECON 494 - St. Mary’s Project in Economics Credit Hours: 1-8 (An eight credit hour St. Mary’s Project in economics or other major may fulfill the senior experience with the permission of the chair of the Economics Department)

Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all required economics courses and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in these courses.

Sequence of Study

The following model is suggested as a possible basic program to satisfy requirements for the major in economics:

First Year:

ECON 102 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit Hours: 4
AND
ECON 103 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit Hours: 4
AND
the Core Curriculum requirement in Mathematics.

Sophomore Year:

200-level courses in the major requirements and one upper-level course in the major.

Junior Year:

Two or three 300-level courses in economics.

Senior Year:

Two or three 300- or 400-level

Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

A grade of B- or better must be received in each course used to satisfy the requirements for the certificate, and the cumulative grade-point average of courses used to satisfy the major must be at least 2.5.

Requirements for Teacher Certification

A Master of Arts in Teaching Program is available at St. Mary’s College of Maryland after completion of the baccalaureate degree. Students who are interested in becoming teachers should contact the chair of the Department of Educational Studies or an education adviser in their major field of study for suggested coursework in educational studies and their specific major. These consultations should take place during the first semester of the sophomore year.