Economics

Economics uses a small set of powerful and flexible tools to understand trades: trades between producers and consumers, trades between workers and employers, trades between investors and firms, trades among banks, trades between one generation and the next, trades between countries, and the taxation and regulation of trades. Further, economics considers issues associated with equity and property rights.

Progressing through a major in economics means acquiring a deepening understanding of the small set of basic tools of economics: understanding their usefulness, their limitations, and the details of their application to important issues. An economics major is a firm foundation for a career in public policy analysis, banking, finance, market analysis, business management, or teaching, and for graduate study in economics, business, public policy, and law.

The core courses in both the major and the minor are two introductory courses (EC 201 and 202) and two intermediate courses (EC 308 and 309). Introductory courses in calculus and statistics are also required for the major. It is recommended that these six courses be completed prior to taking others in the major, and introductory calculus should be completed prior to taking Microeconomics (EC 309).

Economics Major Requirements

Economics students are expected to understand:

• The fundamental principles and language of economics.
  
  
• The usefulness of economic modeling as a tool of rigorous analysis.
  
  
• The nature of trade and how markets function to facilitate it.
  
  
• The role of economic theory in the examination of public policy issues.
  
  
• The economic impact of actions taken by individuals, firms, governments, and other groups and organizations.

For more information, including a course listing, please visit the Disciplinary Major/Minor section of the most recent issue of the Birmingham-Southern College Catalog.

For further information, contact: Natalie Davis