Undergraduate Catalog 2013-2014

Economics and Finance

W. Ken Farr, Chair

Professors: Lucky Narain, Ben Scafidi, John Swinton, and Zhenhui Xu

Associate Professors: J.J. Arias, Christopher Clark, and Leng Ling 

Assistant Professors: Brooke Conaway

Temporary Instructor: Jessie Folk

Department Contact Information:

Georgia College

The J. Whitney Bunting College of Business

Economics and Finance

CBX 014

Milledgeville, GA 31061

Atkinson Hall, Room 433

478-445-4210

Economics and Finance Department Web site

Chair, Ken Farr, ken.farr@gcsu.edu

Administrative Assistant, Deanie Waddell, deanie.waddell@gcsu.edu

Introduction

Despite common misconceptions, economics is not just about money, the stock market, or "the economy." It is a behavioral science - the only social science for which a Nobel Prize is awarded. Economics draws upon the traditional liberal arts such as history and philosophy, natural sciences such as mathematics and physics, and social sciences, such as political science, sociology, and psychology. The interdisciplinary nature of economics lies at the heart of a liberal arts university. The most basic and enduring strength of economics is that it provides a logical, ordered way of analyzing social problems (e.g. poverty, unemployment, crime, economic growth, the effects of government policy, and pollution) as well as individual behavior (e.g. the labor - leisure tradeoff, drug addiction, taxes, voting, marriage, consumer behavior, and business decisions).

Career Information

Students that graduate with a major in Economics have an advantage entering the job market because employers recognize that economics curricula are rigorous and challenging given their focus on analytical and critical thinking, deductive reasoning, quantitative tools, and communication skills. These skills are sought by employers in many different fields of business and government, thus, offering economics graduates a great deal of occupational flexibility. Also, if you are thinking of attending law school, graduate school to study economics, finance, or getting an MBA, a major in economics provides excellent preparation.

Miscellaneous

Students majoring in Economics can choose either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree. The B.A. program includes up to 30 hours of free elective coursework while the B.S. degree includes 30 free hours of elective coursework. These electives provide a unique opportunity for students to complete a second major, or a minor, within four years of study. Because the economics program is relatively small, economics students often work through their program of study in "cohorts," which makes the classroom atmosphere informal and collegial. Upper-level economics courses usually have fewer than 25 students which help to facilitate student-professor interaction.

Our best economics students are honored with invitations to join the prestigious Omicron Delta Epsilon (ΟΔΕ), the international honor society in economics. Also, all economics students are invited to join the Econ Club, which sponsors guest speakers, field trips, occasional lunch seminars and other social activities.

Four-Year Programs of Study and Degree Requirement Check-Sheets

A sample four-year program of study and degree/major requirements check-sheets are located at: http://economics.gcsu.edu/degrees/degrees.htm