Economics

Administration

Chair Mieke E. Meurs

Full-Time Faculty

Professor Emeritus W.D. Bowles, T.F. Dernburg, R. Hahnel, R.I. Lerman P.C. Thanh, H.M. Wachtel
Professor R.A. Blecker, I.E. Broder, R. Feinberg, M. Floro, A. Golan, M. Hansen, T. Husted, M. Meurs, W. Park, K. Reynolds, J. Willoughby, J.D. Wisman
Associate Professor C. Callahan, A. Isaac, K. Jones, X. Sheng
Assistant Professor B. Gershman, I. Gonzalez Garcia, B. Gunter, J. Leight, G. Mathy, A. Mohseni-Cheraghlou,
N. Radtchenko, R. Sonenshine, P. Sullivan, M. Yesuf
Economist in Residence E. Kraft, L. Sawers
Professorial Lecturer W. Hambley, D. Lin

Department Overview

The Department of Economics at American University emphasizes economic studies that enable graduates to participate actively in the process of finding answers to the important economic questions that face our society and other nations of the world. Emphasis is placed on viewing economic problems in both their domestic and international contexts.

The university’s location in Washington, DC enables it to assist students and graduates in obtaining employment and internships in several of the world’s most important economic institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, research institutes, and the treasury, labor, and commerce departments. Many of our graduates find policy-making positions in the public and private sectors of both the United States and other nations.

The Department of Economics adopts a pluralistic approach to economics education that includes neoclassical, Keynesian, and institutional economics as well as political economy. International economic issues receive special emphasis, as do such socially-important topics as the economics of gender. The neoclassical and Keynesian traditions form the core of economic theory that our majors are expected to master. The study of economic history, the history of economic thought, and alternative economic methodologies alert students to divergent perspectives and to the role of institutions. Courses in specialized fields deal with monetary economics, public finance, economic development, the structure of US industry, international trade and finance, and the economics of earnings and employment.

Economics programs are designed to allow students the flexibility of a double major with other departments in the College of Arts and Sciences or with programs in other schools within AU. Within the Economics (BA) students choose the general or international track. Students in the Economics (BS) program gain the analytic and quantitative skills necessary for research positions and Master’s level study in Economics. The Mathematics and Economics (BS) prepares students for a broad range of experiences including PhD level work in economics.

The Economics (MA) offers an applied economics track as well as tracks in development economics, financial economics, and gender analysis in economics. An online track in applied economics is also available. The Economics (PhD) offers a choice of theory tracks in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and heterodox economics, as well as a range of applied fields. For more information on these programs, please contact the Economics Department at econ@american.edu.

Study Abroad

American University’s AU Abroad program offers study abroad programs in which students take courses, participate in internships, and interact with public officials and political leaders. Students wishing to use courses from study abroad programs to count as their capstone must obtain approval of the undergraduate advisor.

Honor Society

A chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the economics honor society, is active on campus. Membership requires an overall grade point average of 3.25 and a grade point average of 3.50 in economics courses. Consult the undergraduate advisor for further eligibility requirements.

Special Opportunities

Several student prizes are awarded usually each spring:

The Robert T. Adams Scholarship in support of an outstanding student majoring in Economics with demonstrated financial need
The Simon Naidel Prize for the best performance on a comprehensive examination in economic theory
The Frank Tamagna Prize for excellence in international finance and monetary economics
The José Epstein Prize in Development Economics
The James Weaver Prize for Excellence in Teaching
The Ruth Dewey Meade Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Research

Honors in Economics

The Honors in Economics program provides several opportunities for outstanding students to engage in economic research with the department faculty.

Programs

Major Program (UG)

Minor (UG)

Economics (Minor)

Master’s Program (GR)

Certificate (GR)

Doctoral Program (GR)

Economics (PhD)