This major fosters an appreciation of the importance of personal economic life as well as an understanding of the U.S. economic system and the global context within which it operates. The B.S. in Economics is intended for the student who wants to major in economics but also receive a broad background in business. The B.A. in Economics is designed for the student who wants to focus on economics, but do so within a liberal arts curriculum. Both majors offer broad preparation for any career choice while also providing a solid foundation for graduate studies in economics, law or business.
Graduates from Messiah’s Economics program can:
ACCT 141 / 3 Credits
Accounting procedures, use of special journals, general and subsidiary ledgers, preparation of financial statements, and contents of accounts and external reporting concepts.
CIS 190 / 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the strategic, tactical and operational aspects of information technology (IT) as it relates to business. It surveys a broad range of topics, challenging students to understand the strategic relevance of IT to every aspect of business including, but not limited to quality, innovation, globalization, competitive advantage, collaboration, and outsourcing. The course also examines representative best practices of common IT business tools, including MS-Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as collaboration tools.
ECON 120 / 3 Credits
A study of the fundamentals of economic analysis and basic economic institutions, with an emphasis upon understanding the impact of individual and social choices upon aggregate output, employment, inflation, relative income distribution and the environment. Monetary, fiscal and social welfare policies are evaluated in light of historical and current experience, with an attempt to understand the role of changing institutional structures, social values, and concerns for justice in an increasingly globally integrated world.
ECON 220 / 3 Credits
A study of the fundamentals of individual market behavior, emphasizing the use of demand and supply analysis. The focus is upon understanding the implications of actions taken by individual decision-makers, operating within various market structures, upon the allocation and use of resources, distribution of income, and ability of markets to meet the needs and desires of individuals. Special attention is given to understanding the impact of market outcomes upon social and individual justice, and upon the environment.
ECON 301 / 3 Credits
Examines the development of various macroeconomic models as tools for analyzing factors which influence the level of national income, output, inflation, employment, etc. Explains the usefulness and limitations of these models in determining appropriate fiscal, monetary and international trade policies.
ECON 302 / 3 Credits
This course studies individual market behavior and applies microeconomic concepts to decision-making processes of business. Primary focus is on demand, cost, production, market structure, and pricing policies.
ECON 303 / 3 Credits
This course surveys the historical development of economic analysis and current economic schools of thought in a philosophical, social, political, and cultural context. Among the various schools of thought examined are 'Classical' and 'Modern Liberalism,' Marxian, Keynesian, and 'New' Classical/Supply-Side Analysis. An emphasis is placed upon examining and critiquing the underlying methodological and philosophical principles of each school of thought, and exploring the implicit and explicit links between economics and politics.
ECON 303: Writing in the major requirement.
ECON 117 / 3 Credits
Introduction to the nature and application of the methods of economic analysis to the problems and issues associated with the environment. Deals with case studies and policy options relevant to local, national, and international environmental concerns.
ECON 307 / 3 Credits
The role of finance in the economy and the nature of money and other financial assets. Emphasizes the role of principal financial markets and their relationship to the economy through study of fund flows, monetary theory, and policy.
FINA 307 / 3 Credits
The role of finance in the economy and the nature of money and other financial assets. Emphasizes the role of principal financial markets and their relationship to the economy through study of fund flows, monetary theory, and policy.
ECON 312 / 3 Credits
Examination of the process of economic development with reference to developing countries. Considers a variety of case studies and viewpoints.
ECON 315 / 3 Credits
The economics of labor markets, labor unions, and collective bargaining. Topics include labor force participation, labor mobility, employment and unemployment, wage rate determination (education, training, labor market discrimination, and collective bargaining strategies), and public policies affecting income distribution. Both orthodox and heterodox frameworks of analysis are considered, with attention placed on questions of justice and equity.
IBUS 375 / 3 Credits
Introduction to international economic relations with emphasis on both private and public sectors. Topics include theories of trade, protectionism, balance of payments and the international monetary order, economic integration, the developing world, and global corporations. Focuses on current trends, policies, and institutions.
MATH 108 / 3 Credits
A one-semester survey of the basic topics of the calculus of functions of one variable, demonstrating their applications in a wide variety of fields. Recommended for students who will take only one semester of calculus.
MATH 111 / 4 Credits
Introduction to differential and integral calculus with associated analytic geometry. Note that all MATH 111 registrations have a concurrent MATH 103 registration until the proficiency exam is taken.
STAT 269 / 3 Credits
Descriptive measures, normal distributions, one-sample and two-sample hypothesis testing and estimation, correlation, and analysis of variance.
STAT 281 / 3 Credits
Topics in probability and statistics: descriptive numerical and graphical measures, discrete and continuous probability distributions, and one-sample estimation and hypothesis testing.
STAT 291 / 3 Credits
Topics in probability and statistics: descriptive methods, conditional and unconditional probability, discrete and continuous distributions, one-sample estimation and hypothesis testing.
Experiential Learning requirement | 0 |
QuEST requirements | Credits |
First Year Seminar | 3 |
Oral Communication | 3 |
Created and Called for Community (W) | 3 |
Mathematical Sciences (MATH 108 or MATH 111 ) | met/major |
Laboratory Science | 3 or 4 |
Science, Technology & the World | 3 |
Social Science (ECON 120) | met/major |
European History or United States History | 3 |
Literature | 3 |
Philosophy and Religion | 3 |
Arts | 3 |
First Semester of Language | 3 |
Second Semester of Language | 3 |
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural | 3 |
Non-Western Studies | 2-3 |
Bible | 3 |
Christian Beliefs | 3 |
Wellness course | 1 |
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism | 3 |
QuEST requirements | 48-50 |
Major requirements | 39-40 |
Free electives | 36-33 |
Total credits | 123 |