Home / Economics Department / Student Learning Goals

Student Learning Goals

Goals of the Department

The CSB/SJU Economics Department has developed the following goals and objectives for student learning in the department:

Students of economics will be able to apply economic theory to understand economic issues and policies by:

  • Analyzing interactions between human values and economic life;
  • Demonstrating a knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate analytical tools; and
  • Recognizing the diversity of methodologies practiced in conducting economic analysis.

Students of economics will be able to evaluate evidence bearing on those economic issues and policies by:

  • Identifying, locating, and assessing the necessary quantitative and non-quantitative information, facts and arguments; and
  • Employing both quantitative reasoning and computing skills where appropriate.

Students of economics will be able to communicate effectively the results of their economic analysis through:

  • Clear writing, appropriately supported and documented;
  • Effective participation in discussion; and
  • For majors, polished oral presentations.

Social Science Goals and Objectives

As a department in the Social Sciences Division, several departmental courses meet the Core Curriculum requirements in the Social Sciences. Below are the student learning goals and objectives for these Core courses.

Social Science Lower-division (SSL) Designation/EC 111

  • The student will be able to explain the application of social scientific theory to practice and the interactions between practice and theory in the disciplinary area of this course.
  • The student will be able to use qualitative and quantitative analysis in the study of the topic of this course.

Social Science Upper-division (SSU) Designation / EC 318, 320, 323, 325, 326, 332

  • The student will show a deeper level of the application of social scientific theory to practice in the disciplinary area of this course.
  • In addition to using qualitative and quantitative analysis, the student will critically evaluate the methodology used in the discipline of this course in order to analyze the knowledge dealt with in the course. This includes a consideration of values and ideology.