Economics and Finance
Division of Social Studies
The Economics and Finance Program offers a broad background in economics within a liberal arts educational philosophy. The program offers a major but no minor. The economics curriculum has four goals: competence in the fundamentals of economic theory; capability in quantitative and communication tools for economic analysis and presentation; familiarity with economic processes, policies, and institutions; and acquaintance with critical perspectives on both economic theory and institutions. Within this framework, students can assemble courses to highlight concentrations in finance, international economics, and policy analysis, and to prepare for graduate programs in business, law, public policy, and economics among others. The major integrates the theory of finance with a broad background in economics.
The principles of economics course, ECO 110, is the foundation course for the major. The course introduces topics in both macro and micro theory, as well as topics in institutions and policy analysis. A second tier of required major courses covers intermediate macro and micro economic theory (ECO 210, ECO 220), basic statistics (MAT 130), financial accounting (ECO 260), and a calculus course (MAT 170). It is recommended that the second tier be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
At the junior/senior level, various packages of courses, internships, foreign study, and independent studies can be assembled to highlight particular student interests. Upper-level requirements involve a minimum of seven junior/senior courses. These courses include a senior seminar (ECO 500) an econometrics course (ECO 390), an empirical analysis course (ECO 392 or ECO 395), and a course in managerial finance (ECO 340). Economics and Finance majors may choose a B.A. or B.S. degree (though the B.S. degree is recommended).
The program encourages majors to consider course work or minors in mathematics, computer science, social studies, modern foreign languages, history, and philosophy. It is strongly recommended that students who are interested in international economics participate in a Centre College off-campus program.
Faculty
Ravishekhar Radhakrishnan (chair), David Anderson, Maria Apostolova-Mihaylova, Sarthak Behera, Bruce Johnson, Patten Mahler, John Perry, Marie Petkus, Brian Rogers
Student Representatives
Sarah Ali, Marie Dishian
Economics Courses
Course Descriptions