Curriculum

Every economics major follows one of five courses of study (or "concentrations"): General Economics, for those who desire a broad overview of economic processes and thought; Environmental Economics, for those who wish to investigate economic issues and policies in relation to the environment and natural resources; International Economics, for those who wish to explore the international dimensions of economies in relation to political developments; Monetary Economics and Finance, for those who wish to better understand the monetary and financial aspects of the economy; and Economics with Teacher Licensure, for those who seek careers in secondary education. Students who wish to complement their studies in another department with a solid grounding in economics may find the Minor in Economics attractive.  For more information on any of these options, ask any economics instructor, see the UNC Asheville Catalog.

Regardless of the course of study, the major is designed to enable students to:

1. find and describe information about basic economic ideas, institutions and phenomena
2. explain the use of basic economic ideas and tools, and identify applications of them
3. analyze in depth a social, governmental, or organizational issue or idea, and alternative means of addressing it
4. discuss the breadth of the economics discipline, its boundaries and where its boundaries blur with those of related disciplines
5. relate basic economic ideas to their own lives. Students are also encouraged to develop their interests and abilities beyond the classroom through co-curricular activities and service.

Economics majors choose from five courses of study. Each requires 34 hours in economics plus 4 to 16 hours in other disciplines. This leaves plenty of room for our students to pursue other academic interests, participate in campus life, and prepare for the job market or professional school. Each course of study prepares students for success in the business, government and nonprofit sectors and for excellence in graduate and professional school

• General Economics, for students with broad interests in economics who desire the maximum degree of freedom in course choices.
• Environmental Economics, for students who wish to investigate economic issues and policies in relation to the environment and natural resources.
• International Economics, for students who wish to explore the international dimensions of economics and economic development.
• Monetary Economics and Finance, for students who wish to better understand the monetary and financial aspects of the economy.
• Economics with Teacher Licensure, for students who seek careers in secondary education.

The minor in Economics requires 18 hours in the major and none outside it.  Of the 18 hours, 12 are elective, provid