Learning
Goals
A. Learning Expectations
-
1. a. Expectations for the economics major, Master’s
degree, and Certificate program are listed below.
Bachelors of Arts in Economics
-
Table 1: Goals and Objectives
of the Economics B.A. Program
| Program Goals | Learning Objectives/Outcomes |
| 1. Develop the ability to explain core economic terms, concepts, and theories | 1.1 Explain the function of markets and prices as allocative mechanisms |
| 1.2 Apply the concept of equilibrium to both microeconomics and macroeconomics | |
| 1.3 Identify key macroeconomic indicators and measures of economic change, growth, and development | |
| 1.4 Identify and explain the key concepts underlying comparative advantage | |
| 1.5 Identify and explain major types of market failures | |
| 2. Demonstrate the ability to employ the “economic way of thinking” | 2.1 Explain the application of marginal analysis |
| 2.2 Explain the use of benefit/cost analysis | |
| 2.3 Explain the contribution of economics to non-market social issues | |
| 3. Demonstrate awareness of global, historical, and institutional forces | 3.1 Assess the role of domestic and international institutions and norms in shaping economic outcomes |
| 4. Apply economic theories and concepts to contemporary social issues, as well as formulation and analysis of policy | 4.1 Describe how economic trade-offs and social values impact public/private policy, and the success or failure of policies to achieve intended outcomes |
| 5. Recognize the role of ethical values in economic decisions | 5.1 Distinguish between normative and positive economics |
| 5.2 Identify the limits of economic analysis | |
| 5.3 Distinguish between efficiency and equity | |
| 6. Apply both oral and written communications skills within the discipline | 6.1 Present economic arguments in non-quantitative terms |
| 6.2 Synthesize and summarize the arguments found in both academic and popular economic media | |
| 6.3 Discuss economic concepts in an articulate manner in a classroom or seminar setting | |
| 7. Demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills | 7.1 Present an economic argument in quantitative terms |
| 7.2 Demonstrate ability to solve systems of equations | |
| 7.3 Be able to conduct economic analysis using equations and graphs | |
| 8. Demonstrate the ability to collect, process, and interpret data, including statistical inference | 8.1 Recognize how to use the scientific method in economics |
| 8.2 Formulate empirically testable hypotheses | |
| 8.3 Identify sources of data to conduct economic analysis | |
| 8.4 Calculate, present, and discuss descriptive statistics | |
| 8.5 Conduct a statistical analysis | |
| 8.6 Critically assess the statistical analysis of other researchers. | |
| 9. Demonstrate computer proficiency within economics | 9.1 Use electronic databases |
| 9.2 Use standard software packages | |
| 10. Be able to use critical thinking skills within the discipline of economics and about economic matters | 10.1 Present viewpoints and alternative hypotheses on economic issues |
| 10.2 Recognize underlying assumptions in economic models | |
| 10.3 Demonstrate ability to use the economic tools of analysis |
Master of Arts in Economics
Table 2: Goals and Objectives of the Economics Master’s Degree Program
Program Goals Learning Objectives/Outcomes 1. Develop an advanced understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory 1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the function of markets and prices as allocative mechanisms 1.2 Demonstrate the ability to draw upon microeconomic or macroeconomic theory in applied work 1.3 Understand interrelations among key macroeconomic indicators and measures of economic change, growth, and development 2. Demonstrate the ability to apply quantitative methods to economic theory and practice 2.1 Perform optimization techniques 2.2 Apply linear algebra and comparative statics 2.3 Apply econometric methods to aid economic inquiry 3. Assess the efficacy of policy using cost-benefit analysis 3.1 Understand the elements of cost-benefit analysis 3.2 Assess the consequences of competing policies 4. Develop an in-depth understanding of one field within economics 4.1 Conduct research in field of specialization, culminating in a master’s thesis or project 5. Develop skills useful in applied research 5.1 Apply statistical and analytical techniques commonly used in the field 5.2 Be able to locate, read, and interpret original research in applied economics 6. Apply both oral and written communications skills within the discipline 6.1 Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate ideas and findings from original research 6.2 Discuss research and field of specialization in an oral examination 6.3 Develop writing skills culminating in Master’s thesis/project Certificate in Economic Education
The Economics Education Certificate Program is designed to give participants a solid foundation in economics that will enable them to teach the subject in primary and secondary schools. The Certificate Program is intended for (1) future or practicing teachers who desire credential authorization to teach the one-semester economics course required of all California public high school students; and (2) future or practicing teachers who wish to infuse economics into other K-12 curricula. Students majoring in Liberal Studies or Social Science or completing a teacher credential program are especially encouraged to participate.
The Certificate program in Economic Education expects students to become proficient in program goals described in Table 3.Table 3: Goals and Objectives of the Certificate in Economic Education
Certificate Program Goals Learning Objectives/Outcomes 1. Develop the ability to explain core economic terms, concepts, and theories 1.1 Explain the function of markets and prices as allocative mechanisms 1.2 Apply the concept of equilibrium to both microeconomics and macroeconomics 1.3 Identify key macroeconomic indicators and measures of economic change, growth, and development 1.4 Identify and explain the key concepts underlying comparative advantage 1.5 Identify and explain major types of market failures 2. Demonstrate the ability to employ the “economic way of thinking” 2.1 Explain the application of marginal analysis 2.2 Explain the use of benefit/cost analysis 2.3 Explain the contribution of economics to non-market social issues 3. Apply both oral and written communications skills within the discipline 3.1 Present economic arguments in non-quantitative terms 3.2 Synthesize and summarize the arguments found in both academic and popular economic media 3.3 Discuss economic concepts in an articulate manner in a classroom or seminar setting b. Writing and reading expectations in Economics
Program goals 6, 8, and 10 in Table 1 focus on writing requirements in Economics.
- Conveying economic ideas through writing is required in every course. Our introductory courses are general education courses with writing requirements. Faculty meet this requirement in various ways, sometimes requiring students to complete essay questions on exams, write a short paper, or keep a journal of their progress in the course. Upper division courses require writing assignments to varying degrees. Many of our courses require students to complete a term paper. Our capstone course, Economics 145, requires students to complete a research paper.
Reading requirements also vary from course to course, but typically students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the material in required readings. These readings are typically taken from a text book, journal articles, or materials compiled by the professor.
- Most reading and writing in economics courses is discipline specific. Students must learn how to discuss economic theories, apply theories to real world situations, present data and statistical results and interpret these results. We expect our students to gain exposure to general expository writing through their general education courses.
- Students’ reading and writing skills in Economics are developed through the lower division and upper division courses they must complete. The recent addition of Economics 140 to the set of required courses for majors will offer students an additional opportunity to hone their research and presentation skills.
The students who struggle most with reading and writing requirements are students for whom English is a second language. Correcting these challenges go beyond the scope of economics courses, and require remedial English courses.
- Assessment of our major occurs in Economics 145 through student’s final presentations and research papers. We also administer an exit questionnaire to students in this capstone course. These methods allow us to observe whether students are meeting our expectations for reading and writing
c. Computer competence in Economics
In the past, students were required to take MIS 1A, 1B, and 1C to become familiar with word processing and spreadsheets. In our senior exit questionnaire, and in informal conversations, students commonly remarked that they had these skills prior to taking the MIS courses, but that they wished that there had been a stronger statistical and analytical component to the major. Therefore we recently removed the MIS requirement and replaced it with Economics 140 Quantitative Economic Analysis, which is a course that will have students apply their computing skills to analysis of economic data. Students are required to demonstrate their computer competence in many courses including required courses Economics 140 and Economics 145 (see Table 3).
- Learning expectations are based on the judgment of faculty, building on our experiences at other universities, and our understanding of what employers value in students who graduate with a degree in Economics. We also referred to our surveys of graduating seniors and alumni to determine what should be expected of our majors.
- Expectations are communicated to students primarily through course syllabi, the catalog description of the major, and through our website. Most faculty have established course web pages with complete information regarding expectations for their courses.
Table 4: Bachelor's Degree Program Outcome Assessment, Curricular Connections
to Program Objectives and Outcomes.
Courses
Outcome
100B
123,
162,
150
114,
130,
132,
152,
180
160,
161,
170
192,
193Table 5: Master of Arts Program Outcome Assessment, Curricular Connections to
Program Objectives and Outcomes
Outcome
200B
200C
241
Table 6: Certificate Program Outcome Assessment, Curricular Connections to
Program Objectives and Outcomes
Outcome
1B
100B
113
130, 132,
152, 180
193
Assessment results indicate that we do meet department learning expectations. Faculty responses to student’s presentations in Economics 145, combined with student and alumni feedback all indicate that our objectives are being met.
University Learning GoalsOur students also meet University learning goals. In particular, Economics majors develop (1) competence in the discipline of Economics, (2) analysis and problem solving skills, (3) communication skills, and (4) information competence. Understanding of (5) cultural legacies, and (6) values and pluralism is met primarily through general education courses, but students apply their sensitivity to these issues in a number of our courses.
