Mission and Student Learning Outcomes

Mission

The primary mission of the department is to help provide an undergraduate liberal arts education of superior quality.  We encourage student learning through excellence in teaching, mentoring, and advising, support of undergraduate research, and the cultivation of honest and critical inquiry.  As a community of scholars, we encourage faculty learning and scholarship.  As community members, we encourage students and faculty to engage with the broader community in ways meaningful to all. 

 Students majoring in economics learn and apply the methods of economics in depth.  They become familiar with the historical context of the discipline, the connections of economics to other fields of study, and the role of ethical values in decisions and policymaking.  We provide students with the opportunity to apply economics to a wide range of contemporary concerns, including the environment, globalization, human diversity, and sustainability.  The department contributes to the education of all UNC Asheville students by participating in interdisciplinary programs and teaching ILS courses and cognates for other programs.  The skills and interests that students develop in our courses enable them to be lifelong learners and contributing members of their communities.

Student Learning Outcomes

The learning objectives of the department support its mission.  While our activities as a department go beyond the teaching of students, both those who major in economics and those who do not, teaching is our foremost activity.  Our objectives vary slightly for majors and for non-majors. 

1. Students majoring in economics will learn and apply the concepts and methods of economics in depth.
2. Students majoring in economics will become familiar with the historical context of the discipline, the connections to other fields of study, and the role of ethical values in decisions and policymaking.
3. Students majoring in economics will carry out independent research and communicate their findings to students, faculty, and others.
4. Students will be able to critically interpret and communicate quantitative and verbal information about economics.
5. Students will learn how economics can be applied to issues of contemporary concern, including but not limited to the environment, globalization, diversity, and sustainability.
6. Students will acquire skills and interests which enable them to be lifelong learners and contributing members of their communities, including critical thinking, clear and thoughtful communication, and honest and open inquiry.

• University Mission Statement
• University Student Learning Outcomes