Learning Outcomes

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Goal #1 Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the basic economic tools and principles used by practitioners in the economics profession

  • Describe the historical and cultural contexts in which specific theories were developed.
  • Compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations

Goal #2 Obtain the expertise to effectively apply quantitative tools to empirically analyze microeconomic and macroeconomic issues

  • Be able to demonstrate how to use empirical evidence to evaluate an economic argument.
  • Conduct appropriate statistical analysis of data, and explain the statistical problems involved
  • Obtain/collect relevant data using specific qualitative and/or quantitative research

Goal #3 Communicate effectively in written, spoken, and graphical form within and across disciplines

  • Formulate a well-organized written argument that states assumptions and hypotheses, which are supported by evidence
  • Complete independent research paper using scholarly sources and at least one fundamental economic concept
  • Present an economic argument orally

Goal #4 Be able to address contemporary problems and issues by using an accepted paradigm or framework of analysis used by the economics profession

  • Apply economic analysis to evaluate everyday problems
  • Apply economic analysis to evaluate specific policy proposals

Goal #5 Be receptive to and comprehend alternative approaches to answering economic questions when formulating their own opinions

  • Compare two or more arguments that have different conclusions to a specific problem
  • Understand the role of assumptions in arguments