Curriculum

The economics major is designed to give you an understanding of the core theory of economics, frameworks for analyzing issues, how to identify and manipulate relevant data, the basic tools of statistical analysis (statistics and econometrics), and the ways such knowledge and skills can be applied to research and problem-solving.

Courses are available in international trade and finance, economic development, monetary economics and labor, environmental economics, development economics, economic history, and the economics of sport.

Curriculum update
Effective fall 2025, Clark offers new majors a B.S. in Economics instead of a B.A. Contact your advisor for details.

Requirements

Eleven courses are required for the major.

Major

Minor

Undergraduate Handbook

Major Map

ECON 101

The Economics of Women at Home and at Work

The course will use economic theory and methods to examine topics related to women’s decision-making and outcomes in the family and at work in both developed and developing countries. We will discuss fertility and labor supply decisions and the allocation of time between work and family. We will also describe the gender wage gap and examine the role of gender differences in occupation, education, and behavioral traits, as well as the role of labor market discrimination and different government policies.

ECON 102

Economics of Inequality

This First-Year Intensive course provides an introduction to the theoretical and empirical tools economists use to understand inequality. We will model how social interactions, institutions, firms, and markets affect socioeconomic disparities. We will study how to design policy to promote fairness and efficiency and to address market failures. We will also analyze data to empirically test these theoretical predictions.

ECON 152

Economics of Climate Change

This course examines the economic implications of climate change. We begin by providing basic economic tools, including supply and demand, efficiency, and externalities, and apply them to understand why markets can fail to address climate change. We then study methods to evaluate the costs and benefits of environmental policy. The second half of the course discusses major policy instruments, such as carbon taxes, cap-and-trade systems, and international agreements, and examines the role of international trade in shaping climate outcomes.

ECON 207

International Trade

Why does the US export aircraft while importing computers? What are the impacts of international trade on income and prices? Is everyone better off from international trade? If so, why is international trade often controversial in political debate? These are the questions we address in this course. The course introduces neoclassical trade theories and uses economic models to evaluate policies and analyze data.

ECON 213

Money, Credit and Banking

In this course we will study the role played by money, financial markets, and financial institutions in the economy. We will first review the concept of money and how monetary policy affects an economy and how it is conducted by central banks, paying special attention to how the Federal Reserve System works. We will then introduce the market for loanable funds and the importance of financial markets and institutions. This will allow us to study how to value financial assets and what determines the interest rate in an economy. Other topics that will be covered are the efficient market hypothesis, moral hazard and adverse selection in financial markets, and financial crises. If we have time, we will study the relationship between monetary policy and exchange rates.

ECON 215

Federal Reserve Challenge: Advising the Fed on Monetary Policy

This course is an experiential student-led Pop course, intended to provide a thorough knowledge of modern macroeconomic data and monetary policy objectives and rules. The ultimate goal of the course is to prepare students to partake in the College Fed Challenge. The College Fed Challenge is a team competition for undergraduate students. Teams analyze economic and financial conditions and formulate a monetary policy recommendation, modeling the Federal Open Market Committee.

ECON 224

Applied Game Theory

Why do rivals cooperate, bluff, or bid too much? Applied Game Theory teaches you to think strategically when your choices depend on what others do. You’ll learn about Nash equilibrium, looking ahead and reasoning backward, commitments and threats, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma. You’ll apply these ideas to auctions, voting, and other real-world situations in business, politics, and everyday life.

ECON 228

Economic Development

Why are incomes high in some countries and low in others? This course provides an overview of classic and cutting-edge answers to that fundamental question. In the first half of the semester, we will take a historical view of economic development by studying competing and complementary perspectives on how today’s high-income countries became rich. In the second half, we will apply those lessons to present-day developing economies by examining evidence regarding interventions intended to raise the living standards of the world’s poorest people.

ECON 232

Policy Evaluation

In this class, you will learn analytical and statistical tools for policy evaluation. We will use statistical software to analyze data and estimate causal effects with some of the main methodologies used in impact evaluation – randomization, instrumental variables, differences-in-differences, and regression-discontinuity. We will study how these techniques have been applied to the study of various policies in the developing world.

ECON 250

Economics of Sport

This course uses economic theory and empirical evidence to examine professional and college sports, with a focus on industrial organization, labor markets, and public finance. We will study how sports leagues and teams operate, including monopoly power, competitive balance, antitrust issues, and pricing. We will also examine player labor markets, salaries, free agency, discrimination, and college athletics. Finally, we will analyze the role of government in sports, including stadium subsidies, the local economic impact of professional teams, and major sporting events.

ECON 258

The Economics and Policy of Food

This course covers a myriad of issues associated with the U.S. food system from an applied economic perspective. The social, environmental, and economic costs and benefits of food production, distribution, and consumption will be examined and policy implications developed. By doing so, a greater understanding of the positive and negative aspects of the food systems will be developed.

ECON 259

Energy Economics

This course introduces the fundamentals of energy markets, regulation, and economic tools used to analyze energy markets and policies. The first part of the course examines energy demand and supply, price formation, market structure, competition, and regulation. The second part explores the environmental consequences of energy production and consumption. The final part examines public policies affecting energy markets and evaluates their implications for consumers, producers, and the environment.

ECON 266

Economic Forecasting

This course provides an overview of modern statistical and econometric methods for forecasting. The objective is to provide students with the tools and understanding needed to conduct economic forecasting, estimate econometric models, compare their forecasting performance, and perform basic data and regression analysis in Python. By the end of the course, students will be able to formulate a forecasting model for a question of interest, estimate the model, evaluate its accuracy, and interpret the results.

ECON277

Urban Economics

Why do cities exist, and why are some much larger than others? Urban Economics uses microeconomic tools to explain why firms cluster, how land is priced and used, and what causes sprawl, traffic congestion, and segregation. You’ll learn to analyze urban challenges and evaluate policy responses, including zoning and public transit.

Department of Economics

Economics, B.S.