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Program Mission Statement

The Department of Economics and Geography is committed to the delivery of exceptional undergraduate and graduate instruction by faculty members who are both actively engaged in scholarly activities and capable of integrating the results of their research into their instructional activities. Our intent is that this instruction will emphasize our role in guiding students to prepare them to be intellectual resources that will continually redevelop to serve many organizations over a productive career. Students are expected to take courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics, as well as econometric courses that provide the foundation of the instrumental to undertake economic analysis. Students will gain experience in the understanding of the global economy by taking international economics courses as well as having a study abroad experience. We also recognize our responsibility to provide economics related service to the University and Jacksonville communities.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

Content/Discipline-Specific Knowledge/Skills

Be able to tackle basic economic problems in the following areas of economics: Understanding economic data; Understanding econometric theory, tools and methodology; Ability to analyze data using appropriate econometric techniques; Understanding the tools of macroeconomic analysis; Understanding major macroeconomic indicators; Understanding major macroeconomic models; Understanding how macroeconomic variables and policy relates to business; Use of the tools of microeconomic analysis; Understanding product and resource market models; Ability to analyze social problems employing microeconomic analysis and Understanding how microeconomic variables and policy relates to business.

Communication Skills

• Written Communication - Be able to write basic economic reports analyzing data and providing adequate quality analysis of different economic issues.
• Oral Communication - Be able to make basic oral presentations discussing economic issues and policies. These presentations should reflect the students' understanding of economic theories and policy effects taught in class.

Critical Thinking Skills

Demonstrate the ability to think critically to identify problems, and propose alternatives to these problems and implement solutions.

Assessment Approaches

Written communication (objective 1, number 1) will be assessed by student performance on short papers assigned in our smaller (enrollment under 30) majors only courses at the 3000 and 4000 level. We developed a rubric to assess these on a 6 point scale synonymous with the rubric employed by CCB. The chairperson will keep records of performance beginning with fall 2010.

Oral communication (objective 1, number 2) will be assessed by student performance while delivering an individual speech during our smaller (enrollment under 30) majors only courses at the 3000 and 4000 level. The chairperson will keep records of performance beginning with fall 2010.

Content knowledge (objective 2) will be assessed by student performance on the 20 question exit exam administered to students in their last semester. The chairperson will keep records of performance and employ those data to infer both time series and cross-sectional comparisons.

Critical thinking (objective 3) will also be tested through the 20 question exit exam.

Additional assessment approaches are in development, and those noted above are subject to revision as deemed appropriate.