How We Study Economics

• The study of economics has two main branches, each of which identifies one type of decision-maker and the alternatives available to that decision-maker. Microeconomics looks at choice problems and the economist's rules and concepts for solving them in the realm of individual decision-makers: the individual, the firm, the household, the college community, the labor union. Macroeconomics deals with the same general problems?choices and how the economist's set of tools helps in making decisions?at a more aggregated level: a country or a broader political entity such as the European Community.

Why Study Economics?

• Economics can give you invaluable insight into how the contemporary world works, excellent training and practice in qualitative and quantitative reasoning, and an understanding of the complex political economic issues that face the United States and the world today.

• After graduation, what you "do with economics" depends on you. Many economics majors go on to graduate school and accept positions in economics, law, or business; others become journalists, artists, social activists, and more. If you do not enjoy the study of economics, you should not feel compelled to continue beyond the introductory level even if you are interested in business; it is simply not true that an economics major or minor is needed for admission to a management trainee position or to graduate schools of business.

Department Events

• The Economics Department hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year highlighting prominent speakers in the field of Economics through our annual Goldman Lecture and the Calderwood Speaker series (list of speakers). In various lectures, seminars and discussions, topics of interest are explored in detail by our distinguished faculty giving our students multiple opportunities to enhance what they have learned in the classroom.