Economics
Economics learning objectives
Economics Major Learning Values and Objectives
Passed by Economics Department on December 16, 2016.
Economics Major Learning Values
The faculty of the Economics department value the development of students’ ability to question their prior knowledge, to create new knowledge, and to articulate varied perspectives to others. This is made visible when students:
- Connect concepts that are not obviously related or understand ideas that are counterintuitive
- Recognize ambiguity and develop healthy skepticism
- Address misperceptions, preconceptions and misconceptions by creating new knowledge
- Make connections across disciplines and fields within economics
- Compare multiple perspectives of an issue by identifying diverse dimensions, including social justice, social welfare and social & environmental responsibility
- Communicate ideas in writing and conversation with varied audiences
The values above are explored through the Economics Major curriculum. The learning objectives for the curriculum follow:
Economics Major Learning Objectives
- Students will use economic models in domestic and global contexts to analyze individual decision making, how prices and quantities are determined in product and factor markets, and macroeconomic outcomes
- Students will analyze the performance and functioning of government, markets and institutions in the context of social and economic problems.
- Students will think critically about economic models, evaluating their assumptions and implications.
- Students will use data to describe the relationships among variables in order to analyze economic issues.
- Students will communicate economic thought and analysis in both written and oral contexts to varied audiences.