The International Economics degree program equips students with the skills necessary to succeed in the international world of business and economics, while emphasizing the skills to develop orderly and critical thinking. It stresses both theoretical and applied concepts, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, communication skills and basic computer literacy.

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We also expect our students to appreciate and draw from their knowledge of other disciplines, other cultures and other languages. The pluralistic approach taken by the department allows students to connect the content taught in the economics classes with the occurrences in the real world, thereby preparing them for diverse and challenging work environments. To concretize that connection, the Franklin Frank Program was created to foster service learning and to develop a student "economy" that can provide reflection on the nature of money and job creation.

In today’s world of economic uncertainty, a deep understanding of economics is more vital than ever. A major in economics translates into job opportunities in various fields including teaching, government services, finance, banking and insurance, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, public administration and management.  Many of those opportunities also offer important salaries.

Majors

Analyze and think critically about economic issues.

The International Economics major prepares students to think critically about economic issues, with special emphasis on international and comparative matters. Greater economic integration and the process of “globalization” of economic and business affairs increasingly call for an international approach to economic education.

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The growing mobility of people and resources in a world of rapid technological progress in communications requires a greater knowledge and understanding of the differences among people and economic systems that persist even in a highly integrated world. In this spirit, the International Economics degree gives students a solid background in the fundamentals of economic analysis, while adopting a pluralistic approach to economic education that exposes students to a wide spectrum of theories and systems of thought comprising the different facets of the discipline. Special emphasis is given to economic policy issues and economic institutions. Students are made aware of the institutional differences that exist across countries, of their evolution and reforms, through an appreciation of the institutionally based nature of the market system. In this context, the discipline of economics is presented as a logical, and yet practical and creative field.

The emphasis in Political Economy provides an opportunity for students to focus on a set of courses that analyze the complex inter-relationships between economics and politics in an increasingly globalized world. Political economy, as an interdisciplinary field of study, explores issues centered on the ways in which political institutions affect the performance of economic systems as well as the ways in which economic interests affect the form of institutions and policies. It entails a variety of approaches, to include the application of economic theories to political choice, historical analysis, and models drawn from game theory applied to political institutions.

In addition to the major field of study, students may choose a minor in Economics.  The Economics minor is not open to majors in International Economics in any emphasis, International Relations (Political Economy emphasis) or International Banking and Finance.

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International Economics

International Economics

The major in International Economics provides students with tools to understand the contemporary world. Through rigorous training in different theoretical approaches and empirical techniques, students will develop critical, analytical, and empirical insight into current economic issues. The constantly increasing mobility of people and resources in a world of rapid technological progress requires a greater knowledge and understanding of the differences among cultures and economic systems that persist even in a highly integrated world. Therefore, a primary focus of this major is on economic policy issues and economic institutions.

Economics is only one lens through which to examine societal problems and so the department maintains an interdisciplinary approach on a variety of issues, while laying the groundwork for a reflective, ethical, and global understanding of the subject area. The menu of courses exposes students to a variety of theories through the recognition of economics as a contested and evolving discipline, and through an appreciation of the institutionally based nature of the market system.

This major prepares students for careers in teaching, banking, business strategy, public policy, law and management, consulting, media, non-governmental and international organizations, as well as providing a solid foundation for graduate studies.

Not open to majors in International Economics with an emphasis in Political Economy

Major Requirements (45 Credits)

Lower-level Requirements (21 credits)
Required Courses (12 credits)
Upper-level and Capstone Requirements (12 credits)
Four of the following:

Note: ECN 490, ECN 492 and ECN 497 require permission from your Advisor and the Division Chair.

International Economics with an Emphasis in Political Economy

International Economics with an Emphasis in Political Economy

The major in International Economics with an emphasis in Political Economy provides an opportunity for students to focus on a set of courses that explore issues centered on the ways in which political institutions affect the performance of economic systems as well as the ways in which economic interests affect the form of institutions and policies. It entails a variety of approaches, to include the application of economic theories to political choice, historical analysis, models drawn from game theory applied to political institutions, courses on environmental issues and its implications for the current economic system.

This major prepares students for careers in teaching, banking, business strategy, public policy, law and management, consulting, media, non-governmental and international organizations, as well as providing a solid foundation for graduate studies.

Not open to majors in International Economics

Major Requirements (51 Credits)

Lower-level Requirements (24 credits)
Or
Upper-level Requirements (27 credits)
Three of the following:
COM 301 Globalization and Media
COM 314 Digital Journalism in a Global Context
ENV 200 Understanding Environmental Issues
ENV 210 Natural Disasters, Catastrophes, and the Environment
HIS 310 The Cold War
HIS 355 The World and the West in the Long 19th Century
POL 302 Political Philosophy
POL 377 International Political Economy
Two additional courses from the following:
ECN 325 Money, Banking and Financial Markets
ECN 328 International Banking and Finance
ECN 387 Introduction to Econometrics
ECN 490 Senior Research Project in International Economics
ECN 492 Internship in International Economics
ECN 497 Research Seminar in Economics and Finance

Note: ECN 490, ECN 492 and ECN 497 require permission from your Advisor and the Division Chair.

3-YEARS BACHELOR OPTION

This major is also offered as a 3-year accelerated bachelor’s degree, designed for students with specific high school academic credentials who are admitted to Franklin with advanced standing credit, equivalent to 30 US credits. This option grants students a jump start on their introductory level University courses. Learn more about the 3-year bachelor’s degree at Franklin or contact the Office of Admission.

YEAR ONE - SAMPLE CURRICULUM

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ECN 100
Principles of Macroeconomics
ECN 101
Principles of Microeconomics
MAT 200
Calculus
MAT 201
Introduction to Statistics
WTG 130
Introduction to Academic Writing II
WTG 150
Academic Writing: Crossing Borders 
First Year Seminar in ECN, BUS, or POL W course
(Choose a writing intensive class)
TVL
(Choose an academic travel class)
TVL
(Choose an academic travel class)

YEAR TWO - SAMPLE CURRICULUM

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ECN 225
Issues and Controversies in Macroeconomics (Intermediate Macroeconomics)
ECN 341
International Trade
ECN 256
Managerial Economics (Intermediate Microeconomics)
ECN 328
International Banking and Finance
ECN 325
Money, Banking and Financial Markets
ECN 204 History of Economic Thought
/
ECN ***
TVL
(Choose an academic travel class)
W course
(Choose a writing intensive class)
Modern Language 100 Modern Language 200
ECN *** = any of the upper-level menu of options  

YEAR THREE - SAMPLE CURRICULUM

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ECN 303
Development Economics
ECN 204 History of Economic Thought
/
ECN ***
ECN 204 History of Economic Thought
/
ECN ***
ECN 204 History of Economic Thought
/
ECN ***
ECN 204 History of Economic Thought
/
ECN ***
Global Responsibility CORE

W course
(Choose a writing intensive class)

Global Responsibility CORE
Global Responsibility CORE  
ECN *** = any of the upper-level menu of options  

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Faculty

Chair of the Academic Division of Business and Economics
Assistant Professor of Finance

Ph.D. in Finance, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
M.S. in Finance, Baton Rouge, USA
B.S. in International Economics and Management, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy

Office: Kaletsch Campus, Office 2
Phone: +41 91 986 53 24
Email: dsuleiman@fus.edu

David Suleiman

Assistant Professor, Economics

Ph.D. in Monetary Economics, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
M.Sc. in European Political Economy, London School of Economics, United Kingdom

Office: Kaletsch Campus, Office 9
Phone: +41 91 986 53 41
Email: vdianova@fus.edu

Vera Dianova

Adjunct Professor, Economics

Ph.D. University of Bielefeld, Germany
M.A. University of Pennsylvania, USA
Dottore in Economia, Università Cattolica, Milan, Italy 

Head of Department of Economics and Finance at the Università Cattolica, Milan, Italy

Office: Kaletsch Campus, Faculty Office 9
Phone: +41 91 985 22 64
Email: lcolombo@fus.edu

Luca Colombo

Adjunct Professor, Political Science

Ph.D. University of Milan, Graduate School Social, Economic and Political Sciences, Milan, Italy,
M.I.A. Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, New York City, New York, United States of America
B.B.A. Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business, Dallas, Texas, United States of America

Office: Lowerre Academic Center, Office 4
Phone: +41 91 986 36 01
Email: gfilic@fus.edu

Goran Patrick Filic

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS

PhD Economics, Brikbeck College, University of London, UK
MSc Economics, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK
BSc Economics, Catholic University, Milan, Italy

Office: North Campus, by appointment
Email: rgalli@fus.edu

           

Rossana Galli

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