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Economics attempts to understand the economic choices of individuals, families, firms, and other institutions. For example, how do parents allocate time and other family resources? How do firms decide what to produce and whom to hire? Economists also attempt to understand the workings of the economy as a whole. What causes inflation, unemployment or inequality? How do regulation and deregulation of industries affect product prices and quality? Why does the cost of medical care rise faster than other costs? Economists have developed a body of principles and methods which help them to think about these problems. The study of economics is the study of those principles and methods, and their application to questions such as those mentioned above.

Economics majors all take courses in two basic areas of economics: microeconomics and macroeconomics; and in statistics and mathematics, which are useful tools in the study of economics. The remaining courses are chosen by the students themselves, in accordance with their interests and career objectives. Every student takes at least four courses of his or her choice in Economics; these can be courses in methods or courses in applied areas. Every student also has the option of substituting a five-course collateral field composed of courses taken outside of Economics for two otherwise required courses in Economics, as described in “The Major,” item 7; and “The Collateral Field Option.” Examples of such fields are: history, international relations, business management, and political science.

The Department of Economics has faculty representing a wide range of specialties within economics, and a wide range of approaches to economics. All members of the faculty, which includes many internationally known scholars, teach undergraduate courses and are accessible to undergraduate students.