Goucher College 2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
Goucher College 2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalogue PLEASE NOTE: This is an archived catalog. Programs are subject to change each academic year.

Economics Major


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Writing Proficiency Requirement

Students may take EC 396 or EC 397 to fulfill the writing proficiency requirement in the major.

Qualifications Required to Graduate with Department Honors

Departmental honors are decided by a vote of the faculty just prior to Commencement each year. The following guidelines are used to consider candidates:

  • Students must achieve a grade point average of at least a 3.67 in all courses that count toward the major at the 200-level and above, including any statistics course substituted for EC 206.
  • Students must have demonstrated to the department faculty superior grasp of economic theory and its applications.
  • Once requirements for the major have been met, students may elect to take additional courses without penalizing eligibility for honors.

Repeating Failed Courses

It is the department’s policy that students majoring or minoring in economics must receive at least a C- in every course taken toward the completion of the major/minor. Any student who fails to receive a grade of C- in more than two courses will not be permitted to continue in the major or minor. No course may be retaken more than once. For purposes of this policy, withdrawals beyond the seventh week will be considered as having taken the course.

The economics major is intended for students:


  • who seek the analytical skills and specific knowledge of economic processes necessary to be a responsible citizen;
  • who desire economic understanding as a background for careers in business, labor, politics, law, finance, administration, or public service;
  • who hope to continue specialized studies in economics or business at the graduate level; and
  • who are preparing to teach social studies in the secondary schools. (For certification requirements, see the description under the Education program.)

Additional Information:


Students interested in majoring or minoring in Economics should start by enrolling in either EC 101: Principles of Microeconomics or EC 102: Principles of Macroeconomics.  It doesn’t matter which course is taken first. While it is not common, students may take both EC 101 and EC 102 at the same time.

Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) exams for Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and/or Statistics may receive credit for those courses.

Note that EC 100: Introduction to Economics does not count towards the economics major or minor, and students who have completed EC 101 and/or EC 102 may not take EC 100 for credit. However, students who are unsure of whether or not they want to major or minor in economics may take EC 100 in order to gain a sense of the field of study. This course also satisfies a Liberal Education Requirement (Social Sciences). EC 100 does not have a math prerequisite, unlike EC 101 and EC 102. Students who have further questions are encouraged to contact any of the economics faculty members for more information and advice.

Ordinarily majors must take EC 206 or an equivalent statistics course by the end of the junior year. Students may not take EC 206 if credit has already been received for another statistics course. Those planning to major in economics are encouraged to complete EC 216 as soon as possible, because it provides the essential analytical skills used in most applied economics.

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