Economics 900
Economics: Introduction to the field for majors
Instructors: Jane Wallace and Katherine Wolfe
econadv@pitt.edu
4700 WWPH
412-648-1740
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:30 am -11:30 am
This course is intended for economics majors. This course will present an overview of the literature in
the field, research methods used in economics, and how the study of economics will prepare students
for their post-baccalaureate plans.
This course has 3 interrelated goals:
a. students understand the range of career and advanced degree options for which their studies will
make them eligible.
b. students learn how to conduct research in economics.
c. students will maximize progress within the major by setting broader goals and taking advantage of the
many opportunities offered at the University.
Students will complete weekly assignments that help them in the 3 goals as well as participate in class
discussion concerning the goals.
Course Outline
Friday, August 30
Introduction to the Course
Friday, September 6
Planning Your Studies in Economics
Friday, September 13
Research Writing in Economics
Friday, September 20
Finding Appropriate Sources:
Friday, September 27
Data Sources
Friday, October 4
Career Exploration
Friday, October 11
Resume writing
Friday, October 18
Graduate school options
Friday, October 25
Enriching your undergraduate experience
Friday, November 1
Enriching your undergraduate experience
EconLit, Citation of Sources
Course Requirements:
No text is required.
Students will have weekly assignments.
Final project: Students will prepare a plan of study and a career preparation plan.
Students will spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class.
Grading Policy:
Each assignment will be worth 10 points for a total of 100 points. The final project will be worth 100
points. One point will be deducted for each day that an assignment is late. Ten points will be deducted
for each day that the final project is late.
Attendance is required. 5 points will be deducted for each class missed.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged
to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt
Union, 412-648-7890/412-383-7355 (TTY), as early as possible in the term. Disability Resources and
Services will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Academic Integrity Policy: Cheating/plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students suspected of violating the
University of Pittsburgh Policy on Academic Integrity, noted below, will be required to participate in the
outlined procedural process as initiated by the instructor. A minimum sanction of a zero score for the
quiz, exam or paper will be imposed.
E-mail Communication Policy: Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu)
upon admittance. This e-mail address may be used by the University for official communication with
students. Students are expected to read e-mail sent to this account on a regular basis. Failure to read
and react to University communications in a timely manner does not absolve the student from knowing
and complying with the content of the communications. The University provides an e-mail forwarding
service that allows students to read their e-mail via other service providers (e.g., Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo).
Students that choose to forward their e-mail from their pitt.edu address to another address do so at
their own risk. If e-mail is lost as a result of forwarding, it does not absolve the student from responding
to official communications sent to their University e-mail address. To forward e-mail sent to your
University account, go to http://accounts.pitt.edu, log into your account, click on Edit Forwarding
Addresses, and follow the instructions on the page. Be sure to log out of your account when you have
finished. (For the full E-mail Communication Policy, go to www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-1001.html.)
Economics 900
Economics: Introduction to the field for majors
Instructors: Jane Wallace and Katherine Wolfe
econadv@pitt.edu
4700 WWPH
412-648-1740
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:30 am -11:30 am
This course is intended for economics majors. This course will present an overview of the literature in
the field, research methods used in economics, and how the study of economics will prepare students
for their post-baccalaureate plans.
This course has 3 interrelated goals:
a. students understand the range of career and advanced degree options for which their studies will
make them eligible.
b. students learn how to conduct research in economics.
c. students will maximize progress within the major by setting broader goals and taking advantage of the
many opportunities offered at the University.
Students will complete weekly assignments that help them in the 3 goals as well as participate in class
discussion concerning the goals.
Course Outline
Friday, January 10
Introduction to the Course
Friday, January 17
Planning Your Studies in Economics
Friday, January 24
Research Writing in Economics
Friday, January 31
Finding Appropriate Sources: EconLit, Citation of Sources
Friday, February 7
Data Sources
Friday, February 14
Enriching your undergraduate experience
Friday, February 21
Enriching your undergraduate experience
Friday, February 28
Career Exploration
Friday, March 14
Resume writing
Friday, March 28
Graduate school options
Course Requirements:
No text is required.
Students will have weekly assignments.
Final project: Students will prepare a plan of study and a career preparation plan.
Students will spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class.
Grading Policy:
Each assignment will be worth 15 points for a total of 150 points. Assignments are due in class or prior
to the start of class. No late assignments will be accepted.
Attendance is required. 10 points will be deducted for each class missed.
You must earn 70% or 105 points in order to receive a satisfactory grade.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged
to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt
Union, 412-648-7890/412-383-7355 (TTY), as early as possible in the term. Disability Resources and
Services will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Academic Integrity Policy: Cheating/plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students suspected of violating the
University of Pittsburgh Policy on Academic Integrity, noted below, will be required to participate in the
outlined procedural process as initiated by the instructor. A minimum sanction of a zero score for the
quiz, exam or paper will be imposed.
E-mail Communication Policy: Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu)
upon admittance. This e-mail address may be used by the University for official communication with
students. Students are expected to read e-mail sent to this account on a regular basis. Failure to read
and react to University communications in a timely manner does not absolve the student from knowing
and complying with the content of the communications. The University provides an e-mail forwarding
service that allows students to read their e-mail via other service providers (e.g., Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo).
Students that choose to forward their e-mail from their pitt.edu address to another address do so at
their own risk. If e-mail is lost as a result of forwarding, it does not absolve the student from responding
to official communications sent to their University e-mail address. To forward e-mail sent to your
University account, go to http://accounts.pitt.edu, log into your account, click on Edit Forwarding
Addresses, and follow the instructions on the page. Be sure to log out of your account when you have
finished. (For the full E-mail Communication Policy, go to www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-1001.html.)
Economics 900
Economics: Introduction to the field for majors
Instructors: Jane Wallace and Katherine Wolfe
econadv@pitt.edu
4700 WWPH
412-648-1740
Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9:30 am -11:30 am
This course is intended for economics majors. This course will present an overview of the literature in
the field, research methods used in economics, and how the study of economics will prepare students
for their post-baccalaureate plans.
This course has 3 interrelated goals:
a. students understand the range of career and advanced degree options for which their studies will
make them eligible.
b. students learn how to conduct research in economics.
c. students maximize progress within the major by setting broader goals and taking advantage of the
many opportunities offered at the University.
Students will complete weekly assignments that help them in the 3 goals as well as participate in class
discussion concerning the goals.
Course Outline
Wednesday, January 7
Introduction to the Field of Economics
Wednesday, January 14
Finding Appropriate Sources: EconLit, Citation of Sources
Wednesday, January 21
Data Sources
Wednesday, January 28
Research Writing in Economics
Wednesday, February 4
Resume writing
Wednesday, February 11
Planning Your Studies in Economics
Wednesday, February 18
Enriching your undergraduate experience
Wednesday, February 25
Enriching your undergraduate experience
Wednesday, March 4
Career Exploration
Wednesday, March 25
Graduate school options
Course Requirements:
No text is required.
Students will have weekly assignments.
Students will spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class.
Grading Policy:
Each assignment will be worth 15 points for a total of 150 points. Assignments are due on
paper in class or prior to the start of class. No late assignments will be accepted.
Assignments should be typed and well organized. Assignments which are incomplete or do
not meet professional standards will have points deducted.
Attendance is required. 10 points will be deducted for each class missed and 5 points will be
deducted for late arrival.
You must earn 70% or 105 points in order to receive a satisfactory grade.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged
to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt
Union, 412-648-7890/412-383-7355 (TTY), as early as possible in the term. Disability Resources and
Services will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Academic Integrity Policy: Cheating/plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students suspected of violating the
University of Pittsburgh Policy on Academic Integrity, noted below, will be required to participate in the
outlined procedural process as initiated by the instructor. A minimum sanction of a zero score for the
quiz, exam or paper will be imposed.
E-mail Communication Policy: Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu)
upon admittance. This e-mail address may be used by the University for official communication with
students. Students are expected to read e-mail sent to this account on a regular basis. Failure to read
and react to University communications in a timely manner does not absolve the student from knowing
and complying with the content of the communications. The University provides an e-mail forwarding
service that allows students to read their e-mail via other service providers (e.g., Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo).
Students that choose to forward their e-mail from their pitt.edu address to another address do so at
their own risk. If e-mail is lost as a result of forwarding, it does not absolve the student from responding
to official communications sent to their University e-mail address. To forward e-mail sent to your
University account, go to http://accounts.pitt.edu, log into your account, click on Edit Forwarding
Addresses, and follow the instructions on the page. Be sure to log out of your account when you have
finished. (For the full E-mail Communication Policy, go to www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-1001.html.)
Economics 900
Economics: Introduction to the field for majors
Instructors: Jane Wallace and Katherine Wolfe
econadv@pitt.edu
4700 WWPH
412-648-1740
Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9:00 am -11:00 am
This course is intended for economics majors. This course will present an overview of the literature in
the field, research methods used in economics, and how the study of economics will prepare students
for their post-baccalaureate plans.
This course has 3 interrelated goals:
a. students understand the range of career and advanced degree options for which their studies will
make them eligible.
b. students learn how to conduct research in economics.
c. students maximize progress within the major by setting broader goals and taking advantage of the
many opportunities offered at the University.
Students will complete weekly assignments that help them in the 3 goals as well as participate in class
discussion concerning the goals.
Course Outline
Friday, September 4 Introduction to the Field of Economics
Friday, September 11 Finding Appropriate Sources: EconLit, Citation of Sources
Friday, September 18 Data Sources
Friday, September 25 Research Writing in Economics
Friday, October 2 Resume writing
Friday, October 9 Planning Your Studies in Economics
Friday, October 16 Enriching your undergraduate experience
Friday, October 23 Enriching your undergraduate experience
Friday, October 30 Career Exploration
Friday, November 6 Graduate school options
Course Requirements:
No text is required.
Students will have weekly assignments.
Students will spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class.
Grading Policy:
Each assignment will be worth 15 points for a total of 150 points. Assignments are due on
paper in class or prior to the start of class. No late assignments will be accepted.
Assignments should be typed and well organized. Assignments which are incomplete or do
not meet professional standards will have points deducted.
Attendance is required. You will receive 10 points for class participation for each class that
you attend. 5 points will be deducted for late arrival.
You must earn 200 points in order to receive a satisfactory grade.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged
to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt
Union, 412-648-7890/412-383-7355 (TTY), as early as possible in the term. Disability Resources and
Services will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Academic Integrity Policy: Cheating/plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students suspected of violating the
University of Pittsburgh Policy on Academic Integrity, noted below, will be required to participate in the
outlined procedural process as initiated by the instructor. A minimum sanction of a zero score for the
quiz, exam or paper will be imposed.
E-mail Communication Policy: Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu)
upon admittance. This e-mail address may be used by the University for official communication with
students. Students are expected to read e-mail sent to this account on a regular basis. Failure to read
and react to University communications in a timely manner does not absolve the student from knowing
and complying with the content of the communications. The University provides an e-mail forwarding
service that allows students to read their e-mail via other service providers (e.g., Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo).
Students that choose to forward their e-mail from their pitt.edu address to another address do so at
their own risk. If e-mail is lost as a result of forwarding, it does not absolve the student from responding
to official communications sent to their University e-mail address. To forward e-mail sent to your
University account, go to http://accounts.pitt.edu, log into your account, click on Edit Forwarding
Addresses, and follow the instructions on the page. Be sure to log out of your account when you have
finished. (For the full E-mail Communication Policy, go to www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-1001.html.)
Economics 900
Economics: Introduction to the field for majors
Instructors: Jane Wallace and Katherine Wolfe
econadv@pitt.edu
4700 WWPH
412-648-1740
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 1:00 pm -3:00 pm
This course is intended for economics majors. This course will present an overview of the literature in the field, research
methods used in economics, and how the study of economics will prepare students for their post-baccalaureate plans.
This course has 3 interrelated goals:
a. students understand the range of career and advanced degree options for which their studies will make them eligible.
b. students learn how to conduct research in economics.
c. students maximize progress within the major by setting broader goals and taking advantage of the many opportunities
offered at the University.
Students will complete weekly assignments that help them in the 3 goals as well as participate in class discussion
concerning the goals.
Course Outline
Wednesday, January 6 Introduction to the Field of Economics
Homework #1 due Monday, January 11 in class: group assignment – worksheet #1
Monday, January 11 Finding Appropriate Sources: EconLit, Citation of Sources
Homework #2 due Friday, January 15 by 12:00 noon: group assignment- annotated bibliography
Wednesday, January 13 Data Sources
Homework #3 due Wednesday, January 20 in class: data/graph assignment
Wednesday, January 20 Research Writing in Economics
Homework #4 due Monday January 25 in class: abstract assignment
Monday, January 25 Resume writing
Homework #5 due Wednesday, February 3 in class: resume assignment
Wednesday, January 27 Enriching your undergraduate experience (Study abroad, PittServes, Honors College, Emerging Leaders)
Homework #6 due Monday, February 1: internship worksheet
Monday, February 1 Networking, Online Profile, Internship Guarantee
Homework #7 due Monday, February 8 in class: networking assignment
Wednesday, February 3 Careers in Economics
Homework #8 due Monday, February 8: LinkedIn Assignment
Monday, February 8 Planning Your Studies in Economics
Homework #9 due Wednesday, February 10 in class: academic planning worksheet
Wednesday, February 10 Graduate school options
Homework #10 due via email Monday, February 15 at 12:00 noon: graduate school worksheet
Course Requirements:
No text is required.
Students will have weekly assignments.
Students will spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class.
Grading Policy:
Each assignment will be worth 15 points for a total of 150 points. Assignments are due on paper in class or
prior to the start of class. No late assignments will be accepted. Assignments should be typed and well
organized. Assignments which are incomplete or do not meet professional standards will have points
deducted.
Attendance is required. You will receive 10 points for class participation for each class that you attend. 5
points will be deducted for late arrival.
You must earn 200 points in order to receive a satisfactory grade.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both
your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890/412-383-7355
(TTY), as early as possible in the term. Disability Resources and Services will verify your disability and determine
reasonable accommodations for this course.
Academic Integrity Policy: Cheating/plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students suspected of violating the University of
Pittsburgh Policy on Academic Integrity, noted below, will be required to participate in the outlined procedural process
as initiated by the instructor. A minimum sanction of a zero score for the quiz, exam or paper will be imposed.
E-mail Communication Policy: Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu) upon admittance.
This e-mail address may be used by the University for official communication with students. Students are expected to
read e-mail sent to this account on a regular basis. Failure to read and react to University communications in a timely
manner does not absolve the student from knowing and complying with the content of the communications. The
University provides an e-mail forwarding service that allows students to read their e-mail via other service providers
(e.g., Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo). Students that choose to forward their e-mail from their pitt.edu address to another address
do so at their own risk. If e-mail is lost as a result of forwarding, it does not absolve the student from responding to
official communications sent to their University e-mail address. To forward e-mail sent to your University account, go to
http://accounts.pitt.edu, log into your account, click on Edit Forwarding Addresses, and follow the instructions on the
page. Be sure to log out of your account when you have finished. (For the full E-mail Communication Policy, go to
www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-10-01.html.)