
Economics
Economics examines how individuals
and societies use their scarce resources.
While many economic concepts are directly
applicable to business and household
decisions, economics is better understood,
as economist John Maynard Keynes said,
as “a method rather than a doctrine, an
apparatus of the mind, a technique of
thinking that helps its possessor to draw
correct conclusions.” This economic way
of thinking has been applied to issues
as diverse as religion and crime and as
timely as proposals for health care and
immigration reform. Regardless of the
issue, economics has relevance; virtually
every decision made by individuals and
societies has an economic dimension.
What makes Berry’s faculty standout?
- Committed teachers and scholars
bridging the college’s liberal arts and
business curricula.
- Frequently contribute to a wide range
of both academic journals and popular
print and electronic media.
- Offering a variety of courses such
as environmental economics, sports
economics, health economics, economic
development, economic history and
economic analysis of law.
What degree options are available?
Economics majors can choose either
the Bachelor of Arts degree or the
Bachelor of Science degree. While the
requirements for the two are largely
the same, this option provides students
the flexibility of tailoring their course of
study to their interests. Many students
have taken advantage of this flexibility by
adding a minor or a second major.
What distinguishes the Berry economics program?
- A high level of student-faculty interaction
because of small class sizes, the Student
Work Experience Program and activities
sponsored by the economics honor
society, Omicron Delta Epsilon.
- A high level of collaborative research
between students and faculty.
What are the topics of some recent student/faculty collaborative research?
- The labor market effects of fracking.
- Lender preferences and the determinants
of funding for microfinance.
- The consumer benefits of tax credits for
purchasing hybrid cars.
- Beer availability and college football
attendance.
- The portrayal of women in films and
their box office revenues.
What kind of work do Berry economics graduates do?
Since economics is excellent
preparation for a wide range of careers
and postgraduate studies, it is not
surprising that our students have followed
many paths after graduation. Some use
Economics as a springboard for advanced
studies in law, economics and public
policy; studies have shown that Economics
majors often have the highest scores on
the LSAT and that lawyers who majored
in economics as undergraduates typically
have higher salaries than other attorneys.
Other students opt to enter the workforce
after graduation; Berry Economics
graduates are successful in many fields
including insurance, finance and banking.
Some of our recent alumni have
secured positions at firms including
GEICO, Home Depot Corporate, Citizens
First Bank, McKinsey & Company
consulting, SAP and the Princeton
University Investment Company. Those
choosing to pursue graduate study have
enrolled in institutions such as Harvard,
Yale, Dartmouth, Emory, Michigan State,
Clemson, Georgia State, the University of
Maryland and the University of Chicago.
What about internships?
Meaningful summer experiences are
one reason for the postgraduate success
of Berry Economics students. Recently,
Berry students have been selected for
prestigious Washington, D.C. internships,
have enrolled in selective summer economics
programs and have interned for local law
firms, banks and insurance agencies.
What special programs are available?
The department has been successful in
securing funds to support student research
projects, prominent guest speakers and a
colloquium course that meets over dinner.