2021-2022 Undergraduate Academic Catalogue 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Academic Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Economics - Arts and Sciences


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Office: Sellinger Hall, Room 318
Telephone: 410‑617‑2357
Website: www.loyola.edu/sellinger

Chair: Andrew Samuel, Professor

Professors: John D. Burger; Frederick W. Derrick (emeritus); Fabio Mendez; John C. Larson (emeritus); Charles E. Scott (emeritus); Norman H. Sedgley; Stephen J. K. Walters (emeritus)
Associate Professors: Arleigh T. Bell, Jr. (emeritus); Francis G. Hilton, (emeritus); Nune Hovhannisyan; John M. Jordan (emeritus); Srikanth Ramamurthy; Andrew Samuel; Jeremy Schwartz; Kerria M. Tan; Nancy A. Williams (emerita)
Assistant Professors: John P. Dougherty
Instructors and Affiliate Faculty: Lynne C. Elkes
Executive in Residence: Sean P. Keehan

Economics is a social science that studies choices made by consumers, owners of physical resources, workers, entrepreneurs, corporations, nonprofit institutions, voters, politicians, and bureaucrats. The economic way of thinking is a powerful tool that illuminates real-world problems and processes. It provides consumers and those in business, government, and nonprofits with ways to wisely use scarce resources. Economics also provides the basis for the analysis of many social issues such as poverty, unemployment, environmental decay, and alternative economic systems. Because economics stresses the application of logic and reason to the analysis of contemporary and historical aspects of human behavior, economics is an important part of a liberal arts education.

The economics department at Loyola has a long history, dating back to its founding over 50 years ago. It consists of 11 full time faculty who are deeply committed to teaching and mentoring students and who are active in research and consulting. The department has an active student-run club, the Adam Smith Society, which sponsors speakers and social activities for students, faculty, and alumni. Outstanding students are eligible for selection to Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society.  The department has produced many successful alumni who actively mentor current students through regular networking opportunities hosted by the department.

The department offers two majors: A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics through Loyola College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Economics (B.B.A. - Business Economics) through the Sellinger School. A quantitative economics concentration is available to both B.A. and B.B.A. majors

Learning Aims

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, analytical and mathematical tools, and empirical findings in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.
  • ​Students will understand and apply basic research methods in economics, including data analysis and be able to effectively communicate and report that analysis.
  • ​Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the analytical and mathematical tools and research methods to a range of economic and social problems and issues.

Major in Economics

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics provides students with a versatile, powerful set of analytic tools for studying the social sciences. Students majoring in economics take five foundation courses and complete a concentration in either general or quantitative economics. The required courses are as follows:

General Concentration: This program is appropriate for those who intend to enter professional programs (such as law or public policy schools) or pursue careers as managers or economic analysts in government or business. Students may create interdisciplinary programs combining studies in economics with other areas in the arts and sciences, subject to the approval of the department chair. Requirements for the concentration are as follows:

  • Seven upper-level economics courses, four of which may be taken at the 300- or 400-level and three which must be taken at the 400-level. At the discretion of the department chair, certain courses offered by other departments may qualify toward the upper-level requirement.
  • Applied Calculus (MA 151 ) or Calculus I (MA 251 ). Students who have taken calculus in high school or have a strong background are encouraged to take MA 251 . This provides students the option of taking additional mathematics courses and/or completing a mathematics minor.

Quantitative Concentration: This program is appropriate for those who plan to pursue master's or doctoral work in economics and prepare for careers in research and/or teaching. This path is also appropriate for students interested in analytical careers in economics or finance. Requirements for the concentration are as follows:

Ordinary Differential Equations (MA 304 ), Calculus III (MA 351 ), and Analysis I (MA 421 ) are recommended electives for graduate school prospects.

Students who wish a broad, business-oriented program may elect to pursue the Business Economics (BBA). The BBA is described under the Sellinger School of Business and Management .

Students are encouraged to talk with an economics department advisor early on about which concentration best serves their career objectives.

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

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