A professor and student review a document in the professor's office.

Program Overview

Economics

Identify problems, analyze solutions, put theory into practice.

Photo credit: Matthew Lester

A Field with Real World Applications

From energy and the environment to international trade, game theory, corporate behavior, and income distribution, economics is the study of decision making in a world of limited resources. It prepares students to enter fields such as public policy, finance, consulting, and non-profit work. At Oberlin, majors will study the principles of economic theory as well as innovative approaches to problem solving in a rapidly changing world.

Unmatched Faculty-Student Collaboration

Studying economics at Oberlin means belonging to an exceptional academic community and alumni network. Every economics major composes an original research paper as part of a senior seminar. Through regular speaker series and alumni events, our graduates have access to a broad and generous professional network. In all of our classes our world-class faculty work one-on-one with students to build the skills and confidence needed for their future success.

100% of majors complete an original research project

Futures in Business

Oberlin’s concentration in business prepares students for a range of pathways in entrepreneurship, technology, entertainment and more.

Learn more about Business at Oberlin

Students listen to a presentation in a lecture hall.

For 10 years running Oberlin has placed graduates in the Federal Reserve System

Learn from Academic and Industry Leaders

From invited speakers to alumni mixers, meet luminaries in policy, academia, and business.

Learn more about the Danforth-Lewis Lecture Series

Econ 101

Principles of Economics

This course introduces you to the fundamental concepts of microeconomics and macroeconomics. You’ll explore how the demand and supply model determines prices and allocates resources. You’ll look at public policies that address imperfections in the economy. And you’ll learn the basics behind inflation, unemployment and the business cycle.

Taught by: Maggie Brehm

Econ 211

Money, the Financial System and the Economy

How are financial markets, financial institutions, the Federal Reserve and the economy linked? You’ll begin by looking at the role of money in the economy. You’ll learn how interest rates and exchange rates are determined. And you’ll see how monetary policy can be used to tackle recessions and address inflation.

Taught by: John V. Duca

Econ 322

Public Economics

The public sector plays a dominant role in our lives. This course uses microeconomic analysis to examine the rationale for public spending. You’ll supplement theory with discussions on relevant public policy issues (public education, health care reform, social security, and so on). You’ll also look at different ways in which governments collect revenue through taxation.

Taught by: Ron Cheung

Econ 432

Seminar in Energy and Environmental Economics

This seminar examines energy and environmental economics issues, mostly in the U.S. You’ll read and discuss a set of papers from a variety of topics, from carbon and sulfur dioxide emissions in the context of the electricity and automotive sectors, to the transition to renewable energy. As with all 400-level seminars, you’ll write an original research paper under the direction of your professor.

Taught by: Paul Brehm

From Oberlin to Germany

Active in the Student Finance and Investment Club, Economics major, Maya Marrero English ’20 has been selected to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) fellowship program.

Learn more about Maya’s fellowship