Economics, B.A.

(36 credit hours)

Required Courses

Economics is a broad discipline covering topics small and large. At Sweet Briar we define economics as the study of how people, businesses, and countries use scarce resources and respond to incentives to make decisions. Economics isn’t all about stocks, bonds, and financial markets! Economics helps us to understand historical trends, interpret today’s headlines, and make predictions about the coming years.

What Can You Do With a Degree in Economics?

~ Finance & Banking

~ Think Tank or NGO Work

~ Politics or Law

~ Consulting

~ Academia

~ Corporate Work

ECON 101 - Principles of Microeconomics CR: 3
ECON 102 - Principles of Macroeconomics CR: 3
ECON 201 - Intermediate Microeconomics CR: 3
ECON 202 - Macroeconomics CR: 3
ECON 332 - Econometrics CR: 3
MATH 123 - Calculus I CR: 3

Choose 2 additional Economics electives, one at the 200-level and one at the 300-level

Choose 2 additional 3-credit economics electives, one at the 200-level and one at the 300-level.

Senior Exercise:

ECON 452 - Senior Seminar CR: 3

Choose 3 additional courses:

Choose 3 additional courses from the following:

BUSN 127 - Accounting I: Financial Accounting CR: 3
OR
BUSN 205 - Immersion in Management CR: 3
ECON 461 - Independent Study CR: 1-3
(3 credits required)
HIST 135 - America, Origins to 1865 CR: 3
OR
HIST 136 - The United States, 1865 to the Present CR: 3
MATH 124 - Calculus II CR: 3
MATH 232 - Linear Algebra CR: 3
PHIL 327 - Critical Social Theory CR: 3
POLS 209 - Global Politics CR: 3

Note(s):

For the major in economics, the P/CR/NC grading option may not be exercised for any course which could count toward the major, with the exception of ECON 261 , ECON 361 , and ECON 461 . Additional information about the P/CR/NC grading option is available under the Academic Policies and Procedures heading in this catalog.

Interested in Graduate/Professional Programs?

If you are interested in pursuing graduate or professional programs in economics, the following courses are recommended as part of or in addition to the requirements listed above:

ECON 461 - Independent Study CR: 1-3
MATH 124 - Calculus II CR: 3

Interested in Political Economy?

If you are looking to focus on political economy, the following courses are recommended as part of or in addition to the requirements listed above:

HIST 135 - America, Origins to 1865 CR: 3
OR
HIST 136 - The United States, 1865 to the Present CR: 3
PHIL 327 - Critical Social Theory CR: 3
POLS 209 - Global Politics CR: 3

Interested in Business?

If you are looking to focus on business, the following courses are recommended as part of or in addition to the requirements listed above:

BUSN 127 - Accounting I: Financial Accounting CR: 3
OR
BUSN 205 - Immersion in Management CR: 3