Mission

We in the Economics Department wish to provide our students with the skills and experiences which will best enable them to effectively deal with the increasingly uncertain and dynamic world. Economics at California State University - San Marcos is a valuable asset: it is a diamond in the ruff.

Our diamond is comprised of four elements. These four elements lay a foundation for what we wish to do with our students. They characterize our interaction with our students.

First, there is technology. Technological change is becoming ever more rapid and unpredictable. It is because of this change that no one can predict what specific jobs will be in demand ten or even five years into the future. Despite this increased uncertainty, there are certain basic skills that an employable individual must possess. These include the skills of communication (written and oral), analysis, problem solving, computer literacy, and cooperation. ALL of these are developed through the economics major. Students gain an appreciation for, and not a phobia of, technological change.

Secondly, the world is becoming increasingly interdependent, not only economically, but also politically and socially. It is imperative that students relish this diversity. Our classes, whenever possible, have this global perspective.

Thirdly, with rapid technological change and increasing world integration, new and exciting opportunities become possible. With the skills developed in economics courses, students will be better able to create, recognize, and seize opportunities to further, not only their own potential, but also the potential of others in the community.

Fourthly, because of the growing dynamism of the world, our students must too be dynamic in their education. New skills will need to be acquired as their careers develop. They will need to continually educate themselves even after graduating from CSUSM. Thus we, in economics, wish to instill in our students a love of learning and an awareness that their educational process only begins in the classroom.