Portfolio Requirement for Economics Majors

Each student will prepare a portfolio that demonstrates important competencies gained from the economics major. Class projects, presentations, exercises, demonstrations, and other materials, are especially designed to fulfill one or more of the major's ten goals. The portfolio is a collection of these materials and serves as evidence of a student's competencies and accomplishments. While each student is expected to collect and catalog portfolio materials as he or she progresses in the major, the greater part of organizing and refining the portfolio is done in Senior Seminar. The portfolio is to be submitted to the Senior Seminar instructor and will represent a significant portion of the Senior Seminar grade. Questions about the portfolio may be directed to any economics faculty member.
 

1.  Communicating Effectively

• Oral presentation (three-to-fifteen minute presentations)
• Written communication (300-word memos to 20-page technical papers)
• Team work

2.  Utilizing Computers

• Word processing, desktop publishing, and presentation software
• Spreadsheets to organize and chart numerical data
• Statistical packages
• Relational databases
• Geographic information systems
• Internet use and web publishing

3.  Acquiring Information

• Boolean searches to retrieve published information on a topic
• Secondary data in economics and business (e.g., National Income Accounts, Economic Censuses, Census of Population and Housing, county data sources in California, etc.)
• Primary data (questionnaire design, sample construction, conducting interviews, data coding, tabulating results)

4.  Using Mathematics to Draw Out and Convey Information

• Inferring economic properties from mathematical expressions (e.g., linearity, diminishing returns, equilibrium, simultaneity, elasticity, marginal relationships, compound growth rates, gradual adjustment, optimality, risk, etc.)
• Translating economic properties (see above examples) into mathematical expressions using functional forms, matrix methods, basic calculus, and probability/statistics.
• Interpreting graphs, tables, and index numbers and constructing them to convey information
• Using accounting systems and distinguishing between identities and causal relationships
• Using statistical and econometric methods (e.g., constructing point estimates and confidence intervals, testing hypotheses, interpreting and reporting statistical results)

5. Critically Evaluating Knowledge

• Designing experiments or statistical/econometrics models to test hypotheses
• Weighing the preponderance of evidence for competing theories or arguments
• Critically evaluating strengths and limitations of paradigms in economics and other behavioral sciences and interpreting them within their broad intellectual contexts

6. Understanding Economic Concepts and Theories

• Table summarizing economic courses completed, academic term and year completed, final grade in course
• Two-to-three page reflective essay on economics courses completed in major demonstrating command of core concepts

7. Understanding Economic Environments

• Analyzing business cycles and long run growth trends
• Analyzing product and factor markets
• Analyzing spatial relationships (location patterns, regional and international trade)
• Explaining and predicting social trends with rational choice models (e.g., fertility rates and family size, criminal behavior, corporate giving, etc.)
• Analyzing economic interfaces with ecological, cultural, demographic, and legal systems

8. Applying Economics to Decisions

• optimizing the use of scarce resources in organizations
• using concepts such as market failure, benefit-cost analysis, and public choice theory to evaluate public policy
• using economic systems concepts to evaluate organizational architecture and national economies (e.g., property rights and decision making authority, incentive structures, coordinating mechanisms)
• integrating economic databases and forecasts into decision support systems of organizations

9.  Personal Effectiveness Habits and Potential for Lifelong Growth

• Proactivity
• Personal mission statement
  • cover letter
  • resume
• Time management
• Interpersonal skills and relationships
• Balanced renewal and potential of lifelong growth

10. Independence

• Formulating and carrying out a significant research project

11. Competencies Relating to the Minor or Concentration

• Table summarizing courses completed, academic term and year completed, final grade in course
• Two-to-three page reflective essay on courses completed in minor or concentration demonstrating command of core concepts
• Sample of completed work