Economics is a social science concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Students in our department are given a variety of tools that will allow them to learn and examine economics on a local and global level. We focus on various topics such as health economics, urban economics, women in the economy, data science and management and money and baking. Our curriculum focuses on not only economic theory but statistical analysis as well. By teaching students how to construct and interpret empirical findings, they become better equipped to navigate the complex issues of the world. Students are also introduced to courses that will prepare them for a Master of Business Administration degree, such as management practicum. In addition to our economics major and minor, we offer a minor in management and organization.
A major must complete 40 semester hours of economics courses and 4 semester hours of calculus. A minimum grade of “C” is required in the completion of the 40 semester hours of economics coursework and in the 4 hours of required calculus.
It is strongly suggested that the student complete MATH 211 prior to the junior year. Of the 40 semester hours, 8 semester hours should be devoted to elective courses in economics at the 300 level.
Students planning to pursue graduate work in economics should take more than the required 8 semester hours of elective economics coursework. Elective spheres of concentration in economics are international economics, industrial organization, economic development, political economy, and public policy.
Students majoring in economics as well as those majoring in other disciplines can combine major study with a minor in management and organization, the latter being housed in the Department of Economics. Completion of the coursework in the management and organization minor allows the students in other disciplines to develop a business focus.
Sophomore Year
• ECON 203 Introduction to Statistics and Econometrics (4)
• ECON 241 Principles of Macroeconomics (4)
• ECON 242 Principles of Microeconomics (4)
Junior Year
• ECON 303 Econometrics (4)
• ECON 304 Mathematical Economics (4)
• ECON 315 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (4)
• ECON 316 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (4)
Senior Year
Students will be required to take an exit exam.
• ECON 400 Senior Thesis (4) or for College-wide Honors Students
• ECON 490 Senior Thesis – Honors I (4)
• ECON 491 Senior Thesis – Honors II (4)
• Major Electives Two courses (8)
TOTAL: 40 (44 for Honors Students)
Cognate Courses
• MATH 211: Applied Calculus (4)
The minor in economics consists of 24 semester hours.
Required Courses
The student must complete both ECON 241 and 242 before fulfilling the 16 semester hours of elective courses required to satisfy the minor requirements in economics. Economics 141 cannot be used to satisfy the minor requirement. Refer to Management and Organization Minor for a description of this minor.
The Management and Organization minor is designed to provide students with an understanding of management theory, practices, and principles within a liberal arts curriculum.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Management and Organization minor, a student will be able to do the following:
Requirements
For the minor, a student is required to take 28 semester hours in the following courses:
Economics majors must take either an additional 4 hours of Economics or 4 hours of a Management and Organization elective. All minor courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.” For further information, contact the program coordinator in the Economics Department.
Alexis Porter, C'2021, is a sports and news business consultant for Warner Bros. Discovery. Throughout her collegiate career, the Chicago, Illinois native served in various leadership roles such as the 1st president of the Spelman Economics Club, the chairwoman of the Building Your Economic Legacy and treasurer of the “Sweet” Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She was also an honor student, a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society, and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Additionally, Porter was afforded several professional experiences through her internships with top tier companies such as Kellogg, Comcast, Deloitte Consulting, Ares Management, the Atlanta Hawks, and ESPN.
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