Economics

Director: John H. Beck
Erwin Graue Professor of Economics: R. Bennett
Professors: C. Barnes, R. Bennett
Associate Professors: K. Henrickson
Assistant Professors: R. Herzog, E. Johnson, A. Voy

The mission of the economics program is to give students a broad background and knowledge of domestic and international economic systems that are essential for people in today’s competitive global economy. Graduates can apply economic theory to problems relating to market structures, resource markets, employment, and fiscal and monetary policies. Economics courses may be taken to satisfy the social science core requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences. Most 300-level courses require only ECON 201 as a prerequisite. Students considering an Economics major or minor should note that ECON 302 has a prerequisite of ECON 202 with a grade of B- or better and ECON 403 has a prerequisite of ECON 201 with a grade of B- or better.

Two economics majors are offered. The B.S. major in economics includes extensive coursework in mathematics as well as economics for students considering graduate study in economics. The B.A. major in economics is offered for students who want an extensive background in economics in preparation for careers in business or government as well as for those pursuing advanced study in law or business. A minor in economics is also offered for students with other majors who need less extensive knowledge of economics.

Economics courses are taught by faculty of the School of Business Administration, but students pursuing the B.A. and B.S. majors are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences and must fulfill its degree requirements. Students must earn at least 104 credits from departments in the College of Arts and Sciences (including economics).

All majors must register for a comprehensive examination (ECON 499) in their fourth year. Students expecting to go into a business field are encouraged to take courses in accounting and may want to consider the general business minor or the minor in analytical finance offered by the School of Business Administration.


B.S. Major in Economics: 45 Credits
Lower Division
ECON 201 Microeconomics 3 credits
ECON 202 Macroeconomics 3 credits
MATH 157, MATH 258 and MATH 259 Calculus 12 credits
Upper Division
MATH 321 Statistics 3 credits
MATH 339 Linear Algebra 3 credits
ECON 300 Econometrics 3 credits
ECON 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3 credits
ECON 403 Advanced Microeconomic Theory 3 credits
Two of the following courses:
   ECON 304 Economics of Environmental Protection
   ECON 305 Public Finance
   ECON 310 Antitrust Policy and Regulation
   ECON 312 Work, Wages and Inequality
   ECON 320 Economics of Sports
   ECON 411 International Economics		 6 credits
ECON 401 or ECON 402 3 credits
One elective chosen from:
   MATH 328, MATH 421, MATH 422 or any upper division ECON		 3 credits
ECON 499 Senior Comprehensive Exam 0 credit

B.A. Major in Economics: 33 Credits
Lower Division
ECON 201 Microeconomics 3 credits
ECON 202 Macroeconomics 3 credits
MATH 114 or MATH 148 or MATH 157 3-4 credits
BUSN 230, MATH 321, or MATH 121 3 credits
Upper Division
ECON 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3 credits
ECON 403 Advanced Microeconomic Theory 3 credits
Two of the following courses:
   ECON 304 Economics of Environmental Protection
   ECON 305 Public Finance
   ECON 310 Antitrust Policy and Regulation
   ECON 312 Work, Wages and Inequality
   ECON 320 Economics of Sports
   ECON 411 International Economics		 6 credits
One of the following two courses:
   ECON 401 Adam Smith and Karl Marx
   ECON 402 Currents in 20th Century Economics		 3 credits
Any two upper division ECON electives: 6 credits
ECON 499 Senior Comprehensive Exam 0 credit

Minor in Economics: 18 Credits
Lower Division
ECON 201 Microeconomics 3 credits
ECON 202 Macroeconomics 3 credits
Upper Division
ECON 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3 credits
Two of the following courses:
   ECON 304 Economics of Environmental Protection
   ECON 305 Public Finance
   ECON 310 Antitrust Policy and Regulation
   ECON 312 Work, Wages and Inequality
   ECON 320 Economics of Sports
   ECON 403 Advanced Microeconomic Theory
   ECON 411 International Economics		 6 credits
Any upper division ECON elective 3 credits


Complete Course List
Core Curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences

The core curriculum or common body of knowledge of the College of Arts and Sciences consists of 59 to 62 credits which are common to and required of all degree programs in the College: the first 31 credits (of which there is a more complete description in the General Degree Requirements and Procedures section of this catalogue) form the University Core, while the remaining 28 to 31 credits are common to all Arts and Sciences degrees.
Students should attempt to spread the core curriculum over their entire fours years at Gonzaga.

  1. Thought and Expression (7 credits): ENGL 101, SPCO 101, and PHIL 101 (preferably in the same semester).
  2. Philosophy (9 credits): PHIL 201, PHIL 301, and  PHIL  400 level elective.
  3. Religious Studies (9 credits): RELI 100, 200, and 300 levels: one course from each level.
  4. Mathematics (3 credits): one MATH (not CPSC) course on the 100 level or above; NURS 320 is substituted for a MATH course for BSN students; MATH 203 fulfills this requirement only for students who graduate with certification in Elementary Education.
  5. English Literature (3 credits): ENGL 102 or 103H or 105 or 106.
  6. History (6 credits): HIST 101 and either HIST 102 or HIST 112 in their first year. If they are unable to complete all six 100-level HIST credits in their first year, HIST 201 or 202 may be substituted for one 100-level course after the first year.
  7. Fine Arts (3 credits): one course in either VART, MUSC, or THEA from courses approved by Dean of Arts and Sciences.
  8. Laboratory Science (4 credits): one course with laboratory in either BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS.
  9. Mathematics or Natural Science (3 credits): one course in either MATH, CPSC, BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, or ITEC.
  10. Literature (3 credits): one British or American literature course (ENGL 201 - 285).
  11. Social Science (6 credits): CRIM 101, ECON, SOCI, POLS, or PSYC: two courses from these departments.
  12. Foreign Language or Culture (3 credits): one course in any foreign language (classical or modern) or one (foreign culture) course approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences.  Foreign-language speaking students from foreign cultures who have completed the nine English core credits at Gonzaga prior to their fourth year (last thirty credits) may petition the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences for a waiver of the foreign language or Culture requirement..
  13. Social Justice (3 credits): One course on Social Justice issues related to experiences of difference (like race, class, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation), from courses approved by the Dean of Arts & Sciences; (may be combined with other core or major requirements).