Economics Department

Mission Statement: The Department of Economics at Union College educates students to explore, analyze, and evaluate economic issues of personal and social importance, using a broad range of economic knowledge and methodologies together with perspectives from other disciplines, as an integral part of their preparation for pursuing professional and personal lives of value and empathy.

News

Lippman Hall 221

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(518) 388-6200

Fax: Fax: (518) 388-6988

ecodept@union.edu

Why study economics?

In today’s world you live in, economic issues are everywhere: unemployment, recession, taxes, budget deficits, and government regulations. By studying economic concepts and analytical tools, you will be able to better understand and think critically about these economic issues and the world around you. In your life you have to make many economic decisions: whether to go to graduate school or to work right after college; whether to work for a company or to start your own business; and whether to rent or to buy a house. By learning how to think analytically like economists, you will be able to make better economic decisions in your life.

Economics at Union

The economics curriculum at Union is designed to provide students with the intellectual tools they need to understand and critically evaluate the many economic issues they confront on a daily basis. There are three different ways to major in economics at Union: Economics – the standard major; Managerial Economics – for those planning careers in management; and Interdisciplinary – economics combined with any other Union major. Each major requires introductory economics, intermediate microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and elective courses. A very important part of the department’s curriculum is its emphasis on student research. Research papers are required in a number of the department’s courses, and all majors complete a two-term thesis.

Economics and liberal arts

All economics classes at Union help students develop their critical thinking, analytical, quantitative and writing skills to find answers to their questions about the society and its economy. Employers are often looking for flexible and analytical thinkers with a broad knowledge base derived from exposure to multiple disciples, not ones who have only learned specific skills in business. Majoring in economics with a solid background in the liberal arts is a first step to a number of exciting careers and programs of advanced study, such as business, finance, law, journalism, public policy, education, environmental science, medical administration, and international relations.

Contact Information

Economics Department
- Chair: Lewis Davis - davisl@union.edu - Lippman Hall 118
- Administrative Assistant: - ecodept@union.edu - Lippman Hall 212/221- (518) 388-6200
Director of Undergraduate Research
- Younghwan Song - songy@union.edu - Lippman Hall 121
Director of International Economics Exchange Programs
- Tomas Dvorak - dvorakt@union.edu - Lippman Hall 215
Director of Alumni Relations
- Eshragh Motahar - motahare@union.edu - Lippman Hall 219
Directors of Admissions / Prospective Students
- Tomas Dvorak - dvorakt@union.edu - Lippman Hall 215
- Bradley Lewis - lewisb@union.edu - Lippman Hall 220
Directors of Graduate Advising
- Economics & Policy Programs: Stephen Schmidt - schmidsj@union.edu - Lippman Hall 209
- Accounting Programs: Bradley Lewis - lewisb@union.edu - Lippman Hall 220
- Business & Finance Programs: Shelton Schmidt - schmidts@union.edu - Lippman Hall 218
Director of Academic Diversity
- Mehmet Fuat Sener - senerm@union.edu - Lippman Hall 119