Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2013-2014 Catalog Program: Economics/Social Studies, BA Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Economics/Social Studies, BA

Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics.

90 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Economics/Social Studies?

The study of Economics will provide an understanding of economic concepts and the functioning of the economy in addition to the ability to apply economic analysis in problem solving. The Economics Department strives to provide a program which gives students rigorous training in both economic theory and applications.

Social Studies Education is guided by the definition of social studies adopted by the National Council for Social Studies:

“Social Studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the school program, Social Studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, and Sociology, as well as appropriate content from the Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The primary purpose of Social Studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.”

Why Consider an Economics/Social Studies Major? 

This major is open to any student who desires to study Economics and a variety of other social sciences, but it is specifically designed for students desiring to pursue a career in teaching. Secondary Education students who wish to be endorsed in Social Studies may choose this major. However, the Economics/Social Studies degree does not require that a student pursue a teaching certificate.

To receive a recommendation for state of Washington certification, students must complete the “teacher certification” program, including the content methods course SEC 426, which is offered by the Department of Secondary Education 1) as a part of the undergraduate BA degree, or 2) as a post baccalaureate program, or 3) as a part of the Master’s in Teaching program. See the Secondary Education Professional Program Guide for program admission and teacher certification requirements. Completion of this combined major leads to an endorsement in social studies.

 Contact Information

Economics Department Chair
Steve Henson
Parks Hall 315A
360-650-4843
Steve.Henson@wwu.edu

 

Economics Major Information:
Academic Department Manager

Diane Brearley
Parks Hall 315
360-650-3910
Diane.Brearley@wwu.edu
Econ@wwu.edu

Secondary Education Information
Miller Hall 401C
360-650-3327
http://www.wce.wwu.edu/sec

Teacher Education Admissions
Miller Hall 214
360-650-3313
http://www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss
 

 Sample Careers

Elementary Teacher | High School Teacher | Government | Economist | Entrepreneur | Insurance Consultant

 Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Students planning to major in Economics/Social Studies should declare their major as early as possible, preferably their first year at Western. Completion of the CBE foundation courses is not required to declare this combined major in economics.

Admissions: Programs in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) are selective and based upon prior academic performance and other evidence of high promise. For admission to CBE as a full Economics/Social Studies major, a student must have completed the following requirements:

  • Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
  • Achieved a 2.5 cumulative college GPA (including transfer work)

Complete the online application form at: http://cbe.wwu.edu/cbe/students/application.shtml.

Grade Requirements

A 2.0 (C) minimum course grade is required in each course taken in the major.

Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Requirements

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
 DSCI 205 - Business Statistics or equivalent
 ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
 ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
 ECON 303 - The History of Economic Thought
 ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics
 ECON 307 - Intermediate Macroeconomics
 ENVS 204 - Human Geography
 HIST 103 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History to 1865
 HIST 104 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History Since 1865
 HIST 121 - World History to 500
 HIST 123 - World History, 1500 to the Present
 HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest
 PLSC 250 - The American Political System

❑ One course from:

    MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
    MATH 157 - Calculus With Applications to Business and Economics

   or equivalent

❑ One course from:

    MIS 220 - Introduction to Business Computer Systems
    CSCI 101 - Computers and Applications

❑ One course from:

    ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
    SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues
    SOC 251 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior
    SOC 260 - The Family in Society
    SOC 268 - Gender and Society

❑ One of the following:

    ENVS 221 - Geographic Information Systems Survey

    or two additional geography credits

❑ 16-20 credits of upper-division electives in economics under departmental advisement to complete the minimum required 90 credits for the major, at least 8 credits must be at the 400 level.

❑ Take one Communication Focus (CF) course and a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses (WP-3 points) at WWU with a minimum grade of C-. The CF course must be taken within the College of Business and Economics, while the WP requirement can be met with courses from any of the combined major departments. These requirements can be completed as part of the above required and elective credits. Consult the Timetable of Classes for the specific course sections that fulfill the CF and WP requirements. 

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements (GURS) 
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement

Notes: