There are simply not enough products and services to meet the ever-growing needs of consumers. Economics studies how we choose between combinations of products and services, such as more hospitals and more national defense, more expenditures on child care centers and better homes for the aged, or more money for research on medical problems and for resurfacing the roads. Economics examines how to make decisions about what to produce, how to produce and who gets to consume the products and services produced. Nearly all public and private policy problems involve economics. Economics influence decisions on national defense, international trade, the level of employment, inflation and taxation.
Economic forces influence business productivity, efficiency and profit opportunities.
Students will examine these economic issues and determine how to use available labor, money and natural resources to increase the production of products and services most desired by the people. The economics program emphasizes the development of analytical thinking and communication skills. Students who desire a liberal arts education should consider economics as a major. As with other liberal arts majors, students are required to take courses from many disciplines, plus intensive study in the major. Few disciplines can match the academic training provided to economics majors.