Economics
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Introduction to the Major
Faculty members talk about what you can learn and what makes this major special.
Mission Statement
Students majoring in Economics will be introduced to the mechanisms of the current market economy. Understanding the economy from a theoretical and empirical framework enables students to evaluate policies to prevent poverty and unemployment or protect the environment and maintain living standards. In Japan, for example, the internationalization of economic activities as well as structural shifts such as the falling birthrate and the aging population have made structural reforms responding to those issues central policy concerns. The Economics major gives students the tools they need to analyze which are the most effective measures to assist the socially vulnerable within financial constraints, and which organizations can most efficiently carry those measures out, not only in business and industry but also in fields such as social security and welfare.
Learning Goals
The Economics major equips students to contribute solutions to the economic problems through empirical and theoretical research.
Students majoring in Economics will learn how to analyze current social problems using a variety of economics based perspectives. After completing foundation courses in economic theory and econometric analysis students can take applied courses in a variety of areas. Students planning to continue onto graduate school should complete more courses dealing with theoretical and quantitative methods, while other students may find applied economics courses more relevant to their future goals.