A field has emerged at the intersection between traditional economics and business. It involves new understandings of how business organizations and other managed institutions succeed within their competitive environments and the roles business executives play in fostering success. It also highlights the nature of the interactions between business, society, and the global economy. To recognize this area of specialization, the department offers a Business Economics track within the major. Coursework in this track covers theories and applications of business, entrepreneurship, finance, management, and related fields. Through case studies, internships, experiential learning opportunities, mentoring, and interactions with practicing executives, students learn how economic theory and quantitative methods are used to solve managerial and business problems. 

International Economics and Business

Those students wishing to pursue a career in International Economics or business should combine the study of a particular country and language with a background in Economics. If students are majoring in Economics and minoring in a language, they should take ECON 251  and ECON 256 as their elective 200-level course and ECON 451  or ECON 452  as their elective 400-level course. Students majoring in a language and minoring in Economics should take ECON 251  and ECON 256  and/or ECON 265 , in addition to ECON 240 . In addition, students are encouraged to study abroad and to complete an internship (ECON 530 ) either abroad or with a company engaged in international trade. Students may also select a double major in these two disciplines. For an example of language courses that complement a Business Economics track major or Economics minor, see the course of study described in the “Arabic ,” “Chinese ,” “French ,” “German ,” and ‘Spanish ” sections of this Bulletin.