Learning Goals
A Bates Economics Major should exhibit proficiency in the following areas:
Understanding
- Demonstrate a command of current economic theories and quantitative methods
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and explain economic issues in the press and popular media
Reasoning
- Construct and utilize theoretical and empirical economic models to solve economic problems
- Understand the role played by the economic assumptions in the prediction of economic models
- Synthesize and critique published theoretical and quantitative research as reported in the economics literature
- Understand the limitations of economic analysis
Testing
- Evaluate quantitative data using graphical and statistical techniques
- Demonstrate an ability to evaluate and test economic theories by
- Locating existing publications;
- Identifying and securing relevant data;
- Identify and evaluate patterns and relationships in the data using statistical, econometric and theoretical methods.
Communication
- Demonstrate the ability to articulate a research question
- Demonstrate the ability to interpret existing knowledge through a literature review
- Understand how to properly cite and acknowledge the work of others
- Be able to interpret, explain and present research results, both orally and in writing.
Means for Meeting Objectives:
Understanding: Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, and Statistics
Reasoning: Intermediate Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Theory, Econometrics, 200-level electives
Testing and Communication: Required projects in Econometrics, the 300-level electives, the W-2s and the Senior Capstone/Thesis