Public Policy and Sustainability Option Courses

The Public Policy and Sustainability Option examines the factors that influence economic, social, and environmental outcomes, such as unemployment, poverty, economic inequality, health disparities, technological innovation, and pollution. You will develop the institutional knowledge and theoretical perspective to understand the impact that the decisions of individuals, firms, communities and governments have on such outcomes. You will analyze the impact of specific government policies and potential reforms—theoretically and empirically. By training your mind to identify and think through problems, the economics Bachelor of Arts degree provides a powerful platform for launching careers in almost all walks of life.  However, this option is designed for students seeking careers in policy analysis and research positions at government agencies, think tanks (such as RAND Corporation, Urban Institute, Mathematica Policy Research), consulting firms (such as Abt Associates), and non-governmental organizations. The option is recommended for students considering graduate education in policy analysis and management.

A. Complete two of the following courses

  • ECON 641: Public Economics
  • ECON 656: Labor Economics
  • ECON 707: Economic Growth and Environmental Quality
  • *EREC 708: Environmental Economics

B. Complete one of the following courses (Any one of the courses not taken for the “A” requirement)

  • ECON 642: Health Economics
  • *EREC 572: Introduction to Natural Resource
  • *EREC 606: Land Economics Perspectives: Uses, Policies, and Taxes
  • *EREC 627: Community Economics 
  • *EREC 680: Agricultural and Food Policy
  • *EREC 756: Rural and Regional Economic Development
  • *GEOG 582: Economic Geography
  • *HMP 746: Health Policy
  • *HMP 748: Health Policy Analysis
  • *POLT 553: Politics in the Developing World
  • *POLT 780: International Environmental Politics, Policy and Law

C. Complete one ECON elective (can be from the lists above or any 4-credit ECON course numbered 515 or higher)

*Satisfies the requirement of the option, but does not count toward the four-elective requirement of the Bachelor of Arts in Economics major.