Bachelor of Science in Economics

The study of economics provides a strong foundation for careers in business, government, law, teaching, and research, and for graduate studies. Working closely with faculty in small classes, economics students at Stetson University explore the timely issues of today's global economy. Core courses build a strong foundation in both economic theory and analytical skills. Elective courses in areas such as international trade, environmental economics, and development economics offer additional insights into cross-cutting issues such as global warming, the opportunities and risks of globalization, and the developing economies of the future. The Department also maintains a unique focus on social justice, poverty and inequality, and cross-cultural examination of social systems, which allows us to make policy recommendations to help people locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The expertise of our faculty has led us to create significant service-learning and social-justice programs, such as the Center for Holistic Microcredit that empowers soon-to-be-released ex-offenders by providing them with business planning and development. Economics offers many tools that can be applied locally, regionally, and globally to the challenges of the modern world. We address a variety of questions in our courses. Is microcredit an effective tool to reduce poverty in the world? Does the Earned Income Tax Credit redistribute wealth and enhance economic growth? What types of political regimes best promote economic development? Are resource-rich developing countries cursed? Do poor economic communities have strong social and economic networks? Are drug cartels economically sound? Why do people procrastinate? Why are there so few African-American servers at restaurants? Is Sub-Saharan Africa composed of economic basket cases? Can China become the next superpower? Does religion shape economics or vice versa? Is there really a trade-off between the environment and economic growth? Can humans work towards a better economic basis for prosperity of self and others? What does it mean to think like an economist?Students interested in studying social justice issues, economic development, poverty and inequality, international trade, and business and economic cycles from a rigorous methodological approach will find economics to be a stimulating and dynamic discipline. We locate our work in real communities locally and internationally, and students are an integral component of this work. The faculty are especially passionate about forming close alliances with students in studying economics in praxis. The Economics Department participates in several other programs: Africana Studies; International Studies; First-Year Seminars; Gender Studies; Global Development; Environmental Science; Service-Learning and Community Engagement. Consult the course index for descriptions of these programs.