Students planning to major in economics must take ECN 111, 112, 211, 212, 215 and five additional economics courses at the 200-level or above. Students are strongly encouraged, though not required, to take MAT 109 or BUS 109 prior to taking ECN 215.  Students will fulfill the writing in the major requirement (W3) by taking ECN 215. 

In addition to the required courses, students must complete the 4 credit Senior Capstone Experience, which is fulfilled by writing a thesis or passing comprehensive exams.

Minor Requirements

Students who wish to minor in economics must complete ECN 111, 112, and four economics courses at the 200-level or above.

Social Science Distribution Requirements

Students who elect to use economics to fulfill their social science distribution requirement with only one course from economics can choose from ECN 111, or 112.  If students want to fulfill their social science distribution requirement with two courses from economics, they may take ECN 111 and 112, or they may take either ECN 111 or 112 and any one of the following courses (Some of the courses below require 111 or 112. See individual course descriptions for prerequisites.):

ECN 218 Economic Development

ECN 219 Labor Economics

ECN 312 Public Finance

ECN 317 Environmental Economics

ECN 318 Natural Resource Economics

ECN 320 Econometrics

ECN 411 International Finance

ECN 416 Law and Economics

Internships through The Washington Center

Students who major or minor in economics have the opportunity to undertake an internship in Washington, D.C. through The Washington Center. During this semester-long program, students may attend hearings, conduct policy research, draft correspondence, monitor legislation, lobby members of Congress, or write analytical reports depending upon their placement. In addition, students attend an evening seminar selected from a variety of topics offered during the semester. Finally, students participate in lectures, site visits, small group discussions, briefings, and other required events designed to help them understand the connection between their academic and professional goals and the special educational opportunities available through living and working in Washington, D.C. Students earn 16 credits for this internship during the semester (eight toward upper-level economics courses and eight for general electives). If students undertake an internship during the ten-week summer program, they earn eight credits. Four of the eight credits will be applied as an upper-level elective for the economics major and the other four credits will be applied towards general electives.

Secondary Teaching Certificate

Economics majors may earn a secondary teaching certificate in social studies. Students interested in a secondary teaching certificate should inform the chairs of both the Economics and Education Departments as early as possible in their college careers.

Course Descriptions

111. Principles of Macroeconomics

An introduction to principles of economic analysis, economic institutions, and issues of economic policy. The course examines factors determining national income, price, and employment levels as well as the international position in the U.S. economy.

 112. Principles of Microeconomics

An introduction to the principles of economic analysis, economic institutions, and issues of economic policy. Principal topics covered include commodity and factor price determination under various market structures, and resource allocation and income distribution through a pricing system.

 211. Intermediate Macroeconomics

The course reviews the measurement of national income and examines modern and classical theories explaining the determination of national income, employment, price, and growth levels. Prerequisite: Economics 111.

 212. Intermediate Microeconomics

The course examines modern and classical theories of demand and supply, and analyzes market equilibrium, general equilibrium, and criteria for welfare maximization. Prerequisite: Economics 112.

 215. Data Analysis

This course offers an introduction to research design, applied statistical methods, and writing in the discipline. Students study questionnaire design, sample selection, descriptive statistics, and hypothesis testing using a statistical software package, Stata. They also work in groups to design their own online survey and analyze the results. Finally, they learn about communicating and writing their results for both lay audiences and academic journals. Students are encouraged, though not required, to take MAT 109 or BUS 109 prior to taking ECN 215.

 218. Economic Development

This course introduces students to issues related to economic development and growth among poor countries.  The topics include measurement of development, poverty, inequality, population growth, the role of markets and government, population, trade, and the role of institutions.  Students will also compare the success or failure of poverty alleviation strategies in different countries. Prerequisite: Economics 111 or 112.

 219. Labor Economics

This course combines theoretical modeling and basic empirical analysis to study the market for labor.  We use models of labor supply and labor demand in different market settings to examine differences in earnings, labor-force participation, and unemployment. We study the effects of education, technological change, information, immigration, and government policies on earnings and employment.

Prerequisite: (Economics 112) and (Math 109 or Economics 215).

 312. Public Finance

An examination of the role of government in a competitive market economy and the effects of tax and expenditure policies at the federal, state, and local levels on the allocation of resources and the distribution of income and wealth. Prerequisite: Economics 111 or 112.

 314. Money and Banking

An examination of banking institutions, techniques of money management, theories of the demand for money, and the influence of money on economic activity. Prerequisite: Economics 211.

 316. Regional and Urban Economics

An examination of the economic factors influencing the growth of urban concentrations, their size, and their functions. The course studies the problems of transportation, housing, segregation and discrimination; poverty; crime; the various ecological factors affecting cities, including pollution, congestion, and urban decay; and the financing and provision of public services, including planning, zoning, and the special problems of inner cities. Prerequisite: Economics 112 and 212.

 317. Environmental Economics

This course is a survey of the application of economic analysis to environmental problems. Analysis will focus on: policy options available to lawmakers and citizens, methods for assigning value to the environment, and air and water pollution and the laws meant to control these problems. Prerequisite: Economics 112.

 318. Natural Resource Economics

This course surveys the economic theory behind, and the management of, renewable and non-renewable resources including fisheries, minerals, timber, water, and biodiversity. Analysis of management options is at the local, regional, and national levels. Analysis includes trade-offs of policies and the effect of property rights regime on resource use. Prerequisite: Economics 112.

 320. Econometrics

This course introduces the statistical tools that economists use to test and quantify their theories. Regression analysis is used to evaluate relationships between economic variables. The results are interpreted with the help of concepts like causality and significance.  Prerequisite: (Economics 111 or Economics 112) and (Math 109 or Economics 215).

 

327, 328, 329.

An integrated three-course unit for students spending a semester at the Washington Center. Students receive 8 elective credits in Economics and 8 general elective credits.

 327. Washington Center Internship

A full-time, semester-long internship in Washington, DC, with a federal agency, non-profit organization, or private firm. Depending upon interest and internship placement, students may attend hearings, conduct policy research, draft correspondence, monitor legislation, lobby members of Congress, or write analytical reports. Students will create an in-depth portfolio of their internship experience. 12 credits. This course is normally open only to juniors and seniors.

 328. Washington Center Seminar

Washington Center Interns participate in an evening seminar selected from a variety of topics offered during the semester. Students engage in class discussion and may also research seminar topics, prepare written assignments, and take examinations. Required of and limited to students enrolled in Economics 327. Three credits.

 329. Washington Center Forum

Washington Center Interns participate in lectures, site visits, small group discussions, briefings, and other required events designed to help them understand the connection between their academic and professional goals and the special educational opportunities available through living and working in Washington, DC. Evaluations of these experiences are included in the student portfolio. Required of and limited to students enrolled in Economics 327. One credit.

 

 394. Behavioral Economics

This course provides a survey of topics in microeconomics through the lens of experimental and behavioral economics. While learning about important economic phenomena (such as the effects of incentives, institutions, and behavior on economic outcomes) students discover experimental evidence that suggests several violations of the standard model of rational decision making. They then explore some newer models that have evolved to account for these violations. Topics include decision making under certainty and uncertainty, risk and time preferences, fairness and reciprocity, charitable giving, reference dependence, bounded rationality, and neuroeconomics, among others.

 410. International Trade

The principles that govern world trade and investment and the factors that determine the direction of international trade will be discussed. The gains from trade, the basis for trade, and the arguments for and against protection will be examined. The effects of various policies that obstruct the free flow of trade will be analyzed. The influence of international trade on economic development will also be studied within the contexts of both developed and developing economies. In addition, the regional and international organizations that are designed to influence or promote the orderly functioning of the international trading system will be described. Prerequisite: Economics 111 and 112.

 411. International Finance

The course examines foreign exchange markets, the concept of the balance of payments, and exchange rate determination. The cases for fixed and flexible exchange rates are presented. The various mechanisms for achieving domestic and international equilibrium and stability, in terms of employment, prices, and growth, are discussed. The evolution of the international monetary system and current international economic problems are analyzed. Prerequisite: Economics 111.

 416. Law and Economics

This course describes how rules, e.g. property rights or contract law, should be designed to encourage economic efficiency. The human response to the prices imposed by laws on different kinds of behavior is analyzed. Applications to land use legislation, consumer products liability, the criminal justice system, and medical malpractice are included. Prerequisite: Economics 112

 

194, 294, 394, 494. Selected Topics in Economics

The topics covered by this course vary from term to term as dictated by student and faculty interest. Course topics have included the history of economic thought, American and European economic development, mathematical economics, African economic development, and other topics not specifically covered in other economics courses. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

 

190, 290, 390, 490. Internship

 

197, 297, 397, 497. Independent Study in Economics

The topics covered through independent study vary as dictated by student and faculty interest.

 

SCE. Senior Capstone Experience

All students are required to complete the Senior Capstone Experience. This can take the form of a senior thesis or comprehensive exams. In the case of the thesis, students are required to begin their research and submit a proposal in the spring semester of their junior year. Students who choose to take the comprehensive exams instead must pass the microeconomics, macroeconomics, and field exams.