Economics

The B.A. in economics major trains students to have strong technical skills and be well-versed in policy analysis and implementation. Throughout the curriculum, students will learn how to manage and allocate scarce natural, human, and financial resources. Students will also analyze environmental policies and determinants of sustainable economic growth. Students may choose to focus their major with one of the following concentrations: environmental economics and policy, international economics, or public policy and social justice.

Learning Outcomes for Economics Majors

Graduates of the B.A. in economics program of the University of Portland will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical understanding of the key concepts and models of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
   1. Describe the key advantages of competitive markets and the types of market and government failure that can occur in economic systems.
   2. Articulate how regulation and policy addresses market failure, in theory and in practice.
2. Appropriately apply economic theory and methods to current issues within particular economic fields.
   1. Identify and utilize economic analysis to evaluate field specific problems.
   2. Analyze and propose specific solutions to problems, including policy prescriptions as appropriate.
3. Appropriately use economic theory and statistical methods to analyze and draw conclusions from data.
   1. Construct and interpret statistical evidence, including estimating economic relationships and hypothesis testing.
   2. Examine economic analyses for faulty logic, unrealistic assumptions or inappropriate methods.
4. Effectively communicate economic ideas, problems, and findings.
   1. Present economic analysis clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
   2. Write up economic analysis clearly in report and research paper formats, utilizing data and graphs as appropriate.

Students with a concentration in Environmental Economics & Policy will also be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of theories and concepts in the field of environmental economics & policy
   1. Identify the role of households, businesses, governments and other stakeholders in resolving environmental issues.
   2. Use tools such as cost benefit analysis, non-market valuation, and policy analysis in evaluating environmental decision making.
2. Recognize environmental economics & policy questions as interdisciplinary in nature.
   1. Identify and incorporate fields relevant for issues at hand.
   2. Integrate systems thinking into environmental and policy analysis.
3. Effectively communicate on environmental economics & policy questions and topics.
   1. Use scientific and analytical thinking to develop arguments.
   2. Write in an accessible manner to the general public and professional peers.
   3. Present environmental economics and policy issues clearly, tailored to the audience.
4. Produce an academic research paper which integrates the economic theories/concepts learned in the concentration (see Capstone project).

Students with a concentration in International Economics will also be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of theories and concepts in the field of international economics
   1. Evaluate the role of international trade, finance, economic development and globalization in international issues.
   2. Compare and assess alternative theories, including in trade, finance and development.
2. Recognize that outcomes in international economics are the result of complex systems with many interacting factors, including those related to history, values, and economic institutions.
   1. Assess institutional differences and conflicting viewpoints
   2. Empathize with relevant worldviews on given issues.
3. Effectively communicate on international economics questions and topics.
   1. Use scientific and analytical thinking to develop arguments.
   2. Write in an accessible manner to the general public and professional peers.
   3. Present international issues clearly, tailored to the audience.

4. Produce an academic research paper which integrates the economic theories/concepts learned in the concentration (see Capstone project).

Students with a concentration in Public Policy & Social Justice will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of theories and concepts in the fields of public policy & social justice.
   1. Evaluate public policy proposals using the analytical tools of economics.
   2. Identify how economics and other social justice connected disciplines can promote social integrity, sustainability, and universal human rights.
2. Recognize differing perspectives of public policy and social justice, how the two reinforce each other, and how economics fits in.
3. Effectively communicate on public policy and social justice questions and topics.
   1. Use scientific and analytical thinking to develop arguments.
   2. Write in an accessible manner to the general public and professional peers.
   3. Present public policy and social justice issues clearly, tailored to the audience.
4. Produce an academic research paper which integrates the economic theories/concepts learned in the concentration (see Capstone project).

Capstone Project

Students pursuing a concentration in Environmental Economics & Policy will:

• Determine and research a topic of their interest related to environmental economics and policy.
• Apply theories, concepts, and the disciplinary flexibility learned in their concentration to inform their research.
• Integrate and interpret data relevant to their project.
• Write and present a final paper on the chosen topic. The paper will include a literature review, relevant data gathering, empirical analysis or modelling as well as relevant conclusions and recommendations.

Students pursuing a concentration in International Economics will:

• Determine and research a topic of their interest related to International Economics.
• Apply theories, concepts, and the global perspective learned in their concentration to inform their research.
• Integrate and interpret data relevant to their project.
• Write and present a final paper on the chosen topic. The paper will include a literature review, relevant data gathering, empirical analysis or modelling as well as relevant conclusions and recommendations.

Students pursuing a concentration in Public Policy & Social Justice will:

• Determine and research a topic of their interest related to Public Policy and Social Justice
• Apply theories, concepts, and the social welfare perspective learned in their concentration to inform their research.
• Integrate and interpret data relevant to their project.
• Write and present a final paper on the chosen topic. The paper will include a literature review, relevant data gathering, empirical analysis or modelling as well as relevant conclusions and recommendations.