<p>So reading the vast number of threads on CC regarding a supposed war between liberal arts majors and STEM majors, I was wondering where economics falls. I am starting my freshman year of college in Fall as an Economics major and I want to know if econ majors are grouped in the same category as people taking English and History. </p>
<p>Economics maybe sketchy is because it requires quite a bit of math and critical thinking, but not as much as Engineering/Math/Science etc. Especially if you are talking about getting an MA or Ph.D in economics the math involved is insane. Granted that it is officially called a "social science" but in your eyes, is econ closer to STEM or Liberal arts? I don't frown upon people taking Literature, History, or Womens Studies or anything like that, but I can't personally see the real life applications of those subjects. Economics, Finance, Business etc are similar again in a way to STEM majors because there seems to be a strong (or stronger) demand for them as compared to those with Liberal Arts degrees.</p>
<p>So. Where does economics fall? STEM? Liberal Arts?</p>
<p>According to Wikipedia, the all-pervasive omniscient patron deity of the internet: “The contemporary liberal arts comprise studying literature, languages, philosophy, history, mathematics, and science.” So, I’m sure there’s room for economics within this category. However, most people think of the social sciences (including eco) and humanities when they hear “liberal arts” - but what does it matter? If you like economics, then study it and screw what everyone else thinks. If your main concern is being grouped with “lesser” majors then probably you should rethink your priorities.</p>
<p>It really depends on the school but yes Economics is generally liberal arts</p>
<p>If your just talking about the “useful” liberal arts and the “useless” liberal arts, it definitely falls in the first category</p>
<p>I mean, when someone is bashing liberal arts they aren’t talking about Econ, if that is what you were looking for</p>
<p>STEM and Liberal Arts overlap, but Economics falls squarely in the latter category. It’s a social science, just like Political Science and Sociology.</p>
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<p>Speak for yourself. Pretty much any criticism of Liberal Arts as a whole applies to Econ. Excluding it is just asinine.</p>
<p>Back in the ancient days at my college, you could major in Economics in either the Business school (earning a B.S.) or the Liberal Arts school (earning a B.A.). Same faculty and basically the same requirements. I believe you had one or two more economics classes with the B.S. and some of your electives had to be in other business fields as opposed to the B.A. degree. </p>
<p>I had the Econonics department chairman for a class and he explained the B.S. was typically for people who wanted to eventually get an MBA with a good grounding in economics, while the B.A. was for people aiming for classical economics careers with a PhD.</p>
<p>Please clarify “ancient days” thanks</p>
<p>Angryengineer - the ancient days for me is 1983. I went to DePaul University in Chicago.</p>
<p>That’s cool, great school. I was curious to when you encountered this issue so thanks for the response. Do you find this whole trashing of LA amusing? Its pathetic that some are trying to pick and choose (weak attempts to their favor of course) what to include as Liberal Arts in accordance with their major and other people’s perceptions.</p>