Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
College of Humanities and Social Sciences • Schar School of Policy and Government
College of Humanities and Social Sciences • Schar School of Policy and Government
Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Banner Code: LA-BS-ECON-PPE
Economics is about more than money and profits. It is a way of looking at the world through the lens of incentives, choices, and markets to help uncover new solutions to the persistent problems in our society. This economic perspective sheds light on important issues in the areas of production, education, crime, the environment, international trade, immigration, health care, economic growth, poverty, and more. The Bachelor of Science in Economics provides a stronger emphasis on quantitative analysis. Students prepare for a career as an analyst in government, consulting, trade associations, or other private sector positions, and for graduate school in economics or more quantitative business administration programs.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Students pursuing departmental honors must complete 6 hours of ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) culminating with an original work of research and an oral presentation. Requirements for departmental honors are in addition to the coursework required for the major. Students must complete ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) with a grade of B or higher to receive departmental honors.
Economics majors who have completed 90 credits with an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.50 within the major are eligible to apply. Not all applicants who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed acceptance.
Applications will be available starting May 1st of each year. Applications are due by August 1st.
To be accepted into the program and enroll in ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) students must submit a research proposal. Research proposals can be developed independently or by completing ECON 494 Introduction to Independent Research in Economics with a grade of B or higher. Completion of ECON 494 Introduction to Independent Research in Economics is not required for departmental honors.
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Some economics courses may fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding. Check with the departmental advising office for more information.
Students interested in a degree in economics with a concentration will complete the coursework below.
This is a high credit concentration for students interested in a program that explores the interdisciplinary connections between philosophy, political science, and economics.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 103 | Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 306 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 311 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 345 | Introduction to Econometrics | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Game Theory and Economics of Institutions | ||
| Austrian Economics | ||
| Public Choice | ||
| Law and Economics | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: 1 | 6 | |
|
STAT 250& STAT 350
|
Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) and Introductory Statistics II |
|
|
STAT 344& STAT 354
|
Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I and Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II |
|
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| 1 |
With departmental permission, BUS 210 Business Analytics I (Mason Core) and BUS 310 Business Analytics II may also be substituted for the two required courses in statistics; however, a two-course sequence of STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) and STAT 350 Introductory Statistics II OR STAT 344 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I and STAT 354 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II is highly recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in economics. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| MATH 114 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 18 credits of electives in economics at the 300 and 400 level or higher. 1 | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| 1 |
ECON 385 International Economic Policy may no be used to fulfill this requirement. If ECON 340 Introduction to Mathematical Economics is chosen as an elective, students need not take the 4-credit course MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II; however, MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II is strongly recommended for students considering graduate school in economics since it is required for admission to most graduate programs. An additional calculus beyond MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II is also advisable for students considering graduate study in economics. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL/GOVT 324 | Modern Western Political Theory | 3 |
| or PHIL/GOVT 327 | Contemporary Western Political Theory | |
| PHIL 357 | Philosophy of the Social Sciences | 3 |
| or PHIL 371 | Philosophy of the Natural Sciences | |
| PHIL 358 | Ethics and Economics | 3 |
| or PHIL 311 | Philosophy of Law | |
| PHIL 429 | Advanced Topics in Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 103 | Introduction to American Government (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GOVT/PHIL 323 | Classical Western Political Theory | 3 |
| GOVT 422 | Constitutional Interpretation | 3 |
| GOVT 467 | Current Issues in Economic Policy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 469 | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics | 3 |
| or PHIL/ECON 460 | Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in economics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| The Political Economy of Nonprofit Institutions | ||
| Topics in Economic History | ||
| Effective Writing in Economics | ||
| Economics of Energy | ||
| Economics of Regulation | ||
| Smithian Political Economy I | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (ENGH 101) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Understanding | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Western Civilization/World History | 3 | |
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communications (ENGH 302) | 3 | |
| Writing-Intensive 1 | 3 | |
| Synthesis/Capstone 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
| 1 |
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core. |
| 2 |
Minimum 3 credits required. |
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in economics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ECON 345, 355, 365, 435, or 470.