Why Choose Economics?

Economics fulfills a dual role at a liberal arts college. On the one hand, as a social science that studies aspects of human behavior, it is one of the liberal arts and serves to educate in much the same way as other fields. Economics has a subject matter, a methodology, a body of literature; it searches for "truth," and studying it will help to discipline and free the mind.

On the other hand, economics is different because its subject matter is resources and how they are used. So economists study how businesses operate; how consumers decide what to buy; markets; money; banks; corporations and their financing; exports; trade; taxes; and so it goes.

Thus, at the same time they are exploring the economy as a part of society, economics professors are exposing students to the business and governmental institutions in which they are likely to earn their livelihood. So it follows that studying economics at Ripon will, if you take its lessons to heart, instill habits of thought, modes of analysis and understanding of the way things work that will prove helpful in your career, in managing your personal finances, in evaluating political issues and politicians, and in your future studies, be they in graduate school or informal.

Ripon’s economics majors have moved on to success in graduate and professional schools as well to achievement in a variety of fields and careers. Ultimately, the achievements of our students confirm the effectiveness of studying economics in the context of the liberal arts.

Soren Hauge
Chair

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