What courses satisfy the History requirement of the major?
The list of approved courses that satisfy the History requirement of the major can be found here.
What is the typical sequence of course for an Economics major?
The Office of Student Affairs has put together a sample 4 year plan for the Economics major. To view this sample 4 year plan, please click here.
Can I complete the Economics major and study abroad?
Absolutely. An Economics majors is enhanced by a global and international perspective on different economic institutions and growth patterns. The major is flexible enough that students can study abroad for one semester and still quite comfortably fit in the required 8 Economics courses for the major. While it is possible that students may count an off campus class towards the major (with prior departmental approval), students frequently use the off campus study as an opportunity to improve language proficiency and/or supplement their liberal arts education in other, non-Economic areas.
Why do I have to take a Math class and a History class to major in Economics?
Tackling economic issues and problems frequently requires a wide set of tools of analysis. The department, therefore, requires that students take classes (in addition to 8 Economics courses) in Mathematics and History. In mathematics, students are required to take either MAT 123/124 or MAT 131 to develop basic tools of differential calculus. Modern economics embraces an analytic foundation, and it is necessary that students are comfortable with basic calculus in the intermediate economics theory courses of Micro and Macro. In addition students need to take MAT 209 Applied Statistics to prepare for ECN 286 Econometrics. Increasingly, empirical analysis is an important tool of analysis, and MAT 209 and ECN 286 will prepare students to critically comment and analyze empirical issues.
In addition to Math courses, the department requires students to take a course in History. The functioning of an economy does not operate in a vacuum but rather depends heavily on economic and political institutions. The department has a list of approved History courses that offer an exploration of the development and changing nature of institutions that affect the ecomony.
How can I find an advisor in Economics?
Currently, there are over 80 students who major in Economics. Due to the large number of potential advisees and due to upcoming faculty leaves and sabbaticals, the department on occasion may limit the number of advisees of a given faculty member. Currently, the following members of the department are unable to accept advisees: Professor Graham, Professor Mutti, and Professor Stroup. It is best to e-mail a faculty member to set up an appointment to discuss establishing an advising relationship.
What are the requirements and procedures for applying for a MAP?
Mentored Advanced Projects (MAPs) entail a significant amount of work for both students and faculty. In the field of Economics, a worthy MAP proposal is only possible after a student has completed, at a minimum, the intermediate theory courses (Microeconomics and Macroeconomics) and an advanced tools course. As MAP proposals are likely to entail some empirical analysis, it is extremely helpful if students have completed the Econometrics course. Finally, a certain level of proficiency by the student and the faculty member of the proposed MAP topic is required. For faculty, this will frequently occur in the area of a faculty member’s senior seminar; for students, this will occur after the student has taken advanced courses in the topic area (in the field of Economics and/or other, related fields). Students who are interested in undertaking a MAP should talk with their advisor in their sophomore year and should have all required course work done by the end of their junior year. MAP proposals are individually arranged by a student and a faculty member.
Does the department accept AP credit toward the major?
The department recognizes that accomplishments of students who have AP credit in Economics. Since Introduction to Economics here at Grinnell covers both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, the department requires that students have AP credit in both AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics. If a student has scored a 4 in both AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, the department will waive the Introduction to Economics course requirement of the major. Students who have credit in one AP exams may not waive the Intro requirement; these students will need to enroll and complete the Introduction to Economics course. Any AP credit earned counts toward the total, 124 units required for graduation; however, the AP credits do not count toward the 32 units in Economics required of all majors.
How are enrollments in senior seminar classes allocated?
The department views the seminar experience as an important component of the Economics major. To facilitate an in-depth discussion of research papers and the completion of an independent research project in this class, the department limits course enrollments in all seminars to twelve students. The department allocates spots in seminars approximately two weeks before the pre-registration period. A member of department will poll all rising Juniors and Senior majors with (i) with their seminar preference, (ii) their preparation for enrollment in a seminar, and (iii) other commitments that may conflict with enrollment in a given seminar. Balancing these needs and the resource constraints of the department, students are allocated to a senior seminar. While the department cannot guarantee that every students will get their first seminar choice in each semester, in the recent past the department has been successful in meeting students’ desires over the two senior seminar allocations.
