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The economics department offers a major, minor and electives for undergraduates and a Ph.D. program. |
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Programs for Undergraduate Students
Overview | Major | Minor
Overview
Economics offers unique opportunities for your education. The
study of economics at Clark can offer challenges. But it also offers
rewards. The program of study for the major or minor helps the student
develop analytical skills. It hones critical quantitative skills.
Students who have studied economics can think more clearly and with
growing expertise about many issues confronting us in the new century,
including
- Global warming
- The spread of a global economy
- Urban sprawl
- The challenge of economic development
- The rising cost of health care
to name but a few.
Because it emphasizes the marriage of analytical skills and
understanding the world, the study of economics at Clark also provides
students with key building blocks for future career plans. Law schools welcome the background economics provides in
logical thinking. Government agencies and graduate programs in public policy or
economics appreciate the systematic approach to understanding the economy
offered by economics. Business schools and businesses find the facility the
economics major acquires in analytical thinking and quantitative methods of
analysis attractive. Most important, the economics major emphasizes developing
skills of careful thinking and analysis in combination with the application of
those skills in actual settings. Typical careers include employment
in finance, business, government, economics consulting, or the non-profit
sector.
Housed in Clark's oldest
building, Jonas Clark Hall, the program offers students a wide range of
courses that help them gain a much better understanding of key issues
and begin to build their own expertise. The ten members of the Faculty
of Economics bring further expertise into the classroom because of their
involvement in research that has received national and international
recognition. One specialist in the Chinese economy was in Beijing
conducting research at the time of Tianamen massacre. Another specialist
in Europe saw the Berlin Wall fall. An environmental economist has spent
several months in the Yucatan in a path-breaking study
of deforestation. The Ph.D. program in economics
adds to the intellectual excitement and international flavor of the the
Department as it attracts students from four continents and important
speakers from the community of economics at large. Advanced students
engaged in research have access as well to the Department Computer Lab,
which includes up-to-date computers with econometric and time series
software.
Some core ideas are very powerful.
A few basic insights form the basis of modern economics:
- The resources available to us at any time to address key concerns
such as global warming or economic inequality are limited; making
decisions that make best use of them requires us to understand the
tradeoffs involved.
- Voluntary exchange among people usually makes them better off.
- Understanding the ideas of scarcity and exchange requires methods
to use data about the economic world wisely and within a structured
setting.
The study of economics offers students an opportunity to gain an
extensive background in these core ideas of economic analysis, practical
knowledge, and an understanding of how they help to illuminate key
issues that face society. Economics The study of economics at Clark offers
one key advantage: course work is designed to help students gain
ever-higher levels of sophistication in their understanding. The
introductory course, Economics 10 serves as the prerequisite for several
courses at the 100-level, including Money and Banking, courses in
comparative economics, and environmental economics. More sophisticated
analysis is available in the 200-level courses, which require the second
course in Principles, or Economics 11. These courses offer students the
opportunity to study the economic issues of the environment, developing
countries, the international economy, health, population, sports, urban
areas, and the government. Economics students with an interest in first-hand
research can use their capstone projects or work directly with a
professor as a research assistant.
Students who study economics can
integrate their major or minor
into Clark's interdisciplinary programs, including the International
Studies Stream, Urban Development and Social Change, and Law and
Society. Many students also choose to link their major to related
fields, such as International Development or Government.
If you would
like more information on these programs, please consult the links. Feel free to discuss your interest with any faculty
member in economics, or contact the chair of the Department, Professor
Gray. You may make an appointment by calling him at (508)793-7226 or by
e-mail at wgray@clarku.edu .
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The Major: Overview
The economics major offers opportunities to learn about a wide variety of issues, a background in statistics and other methods for working with data. The capstone experience for undergraduates, the honors program,
internships and study abroad offer opportunities for majors to acquire research experience, apply economics in government or business, and broaden their
perspective on economic issues.
The economics
major also provides valuable skills in high demand in a number of careers and
graduate programs. Law schools welcome the background economics provides in
logical thinking. Government agencies and graduate programs in public policy or
economics appreciate the systematic approach to understanding the economy
offered by economics. Business schools and businesses find the facility the
economics major acquires in analytical thinking and quantitative methods of
analysis attractive. Most important, the economics major emphasizes developing
skills of careful thinking and analysis in combination with the application of
those skills in actual settings
A total of thirteen courses are required for the major. They are divided among
the following three categories:
- Five Core courses
- Five Elective courses
- Two Related courses and one mathematics course
The core courses include Economics 10 (Economics and the World Economy) and
Economics 11 (Principles of Economics). These courses provide the foundation of
economic thinking. In addition, two upper level courses, Economics
205 (Microeconomics) and Economics 206 (Macroeconomics) develop analytical skills
further. Finally, Economics 160 (Statistics) provides the student with basic
quantitative skills. A minimum grade of C- must be earned in each of the
required core courses.
The five elective courses may be taken at the 100- or 200-level. All
100-level courses require Economics 10 or the equivalent. All 200-level courses
required Economics 10 and Economics 11. Some 200-level may have an additional
requirement of either Econ 205 or Econ 206. Please see the catalogue or consult
the Professor for details. Majors must have a grade-point average of 2.0 for the
10 required economics courses
A major must complete at least three courses at the 200-level. Students often
focus many of their courses on a particular theme that matches their interests.
The detailed information available in the Economics
Handbook(PDF) under "Customizing your major" suggests a number of
approaches, but you are not limited to them! The advisor in Economics is willing
to help you tailor your course selection to your needs and interests. Typically
during the senior year, a student completes the Capstone.
The capstone involves either an honors thesis, directed research, or any
200-level course. Students electing to take a 200-level course as a capstone
must use the Capstone Declaration form available from the Economics Department.
Related courses should help augment the learning and expertise that is
acquired within the major. They may be related to skills such as mathematics or
accounting, or areas of interest such as urban issues or international
questions. The Economics
Handbook provides more details.
At least one mathematics course at the level of pre-calculus
(MATH119) or calculus (MATH120 or 124). Calculus is recommended for all
majors.
To declare the economics major, you need three forms:
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The Major Declaration Form, which may be obtained
from the Registrar's Office
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The Economics Department Major Sign-Up Form,
which is available from the Department Office or at the top of the
page.
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The Change of Advisor Form
is available from Academic
Advising.
The
Major Declaration Form must be signed by the Chair of
Economics. At the same time, you need to submit the change of advisor
form that will be submitted along with your major declaration form. All of the faculty in
the department are willing to be advisors and you should feel free to
ask anyone you want. However, if you prefer, the department will
assign you an advisor.
Here is a typical timetable for completing the major. Please note that
individual students may tailor their schedule a bit differently. It is advisable
to complete Economics 10 and 11 by the sophomore year and Economics 205, 206,
and 160 by the end of the junior year. Related courses are taken throughout the
student's time at Clark.
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Year
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Core Courses
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Elective Courses
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First
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Econ 10, Econ 11
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100-level course
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Sophomore
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Econ 11, Econ 160, Econ 205 and/or Econ 206
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100-level and 200-level
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Junior
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Econ 160, Econ 205 or Econ 206
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100-level and 200-level
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Senior
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No more than 3 200-level, including capstone
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Overall
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5 courses
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5 courses
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The Minor
Even if you major in another subject, you can still continue to
explore economics in some depth through a minor.
It is important to discuss a minor with your advisor in your
major field so that
the specific courses taken integrate with your major. You do not need
to have an advisor in the economics minor. The most common majors for
the many students who minor in economics include management,
international development, and government.
There are six economics courses required for the econ minor.
Two of them are Econ 10 and Econ 11.
The remaining four are electives which can be chosen from any
of the Economics Department course offerings.
At least two of these electives must be at the 200 level.
Internships may not be taken to satisfy the six course
requirement. A minimum of
a C- must be earned in each course in order to receive minor credit.
To declare a minor, simply fill out the declaration form and come to us in the Economics Department office, JC 124. The Department Chair will complete the form
for you.
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Academic Catalog & Requirements
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Additional Resources
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