Economics in the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences has recently bolstered its longstanding B.A. in Economics (ECAS), housed in the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, with an outstanding new faculty member, Monica Widmann, Ph.D. An expert in comparative political economy with a Ph.D. from UCLA. Following postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton University and the Technical University of Munich, Widmann joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs. To deepen the partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Stillman School of Business, Widmann will enjoy a secondary appointment in the Department of Economics and Legal Studies. 

The B.A. in Economics offers students an opportunity to study economics in the context of an undergraduate liberal arts education. By combining the flexibility and expansiveness of the College’s Core Curriculum with the economics courses taught by Stillman faculty experts, the program enables students to analyze economic issues within political, social, ethical, and historical contexts. This approach prepares students to understand complex global challenges with quantitative expertise, analytical depth, humanistic insight, and all the nuances of social sciences. Seton Hall has long offered students the opportunity to study economics in the context of an excellent undergraduate business school education with the B.S. in Economics (ECON) offered by the Stillman School of Business, and with the bolstering of the B.A. in Economics (ECAS) program, Seton Hall is positioned to offer its students a choice to pursue the study of economics in whichever broader education context that best suits their needs and aspirations. 

Studying economics in a liberal arts setting encourages students to explore not just the “how” of economic systems, but also the “why”: Why do certain policies emerge? How do they affect different communities? How do rights, responsibilities, values, and other things constitute economies and relate to financial economics? And what ethical and historical forces are at play in these relationships? The faculty supporting this new program bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. Widmann joins Michael Taylor, Ph.D., and Terrence Teo, Ph.D., in the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs as teachers and scholars with expertise in economics and political economy who help students investigate the connections between markets, the environment, governance and public life.

Housing the B.A. in Economics within the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs will provide ECAS majors with academic advisors in the College of Arts and Sciences who know the extent of the College’s offerings and how they can enrich student learning about topics that matter most to them, whether they involve the intersection of economics and the sciences, law, history, or technology. The Department of Political Science and Public Affairs is exploring the development of a quantitative B.S. in Political Economy, designed to strengthen students’ data analysis and numeracy skills for graduate study or careers in analytics and policy. The Department of Political Science and Public Affairs is considering possibilities for a  master's in  political economy or other graduate program that integrates the study of politics, economics, and human behavior, an interdisciplinary and humanistic social science degree that equips students to examine mechanisms for advancing economic security and democratic citizenship an the tools to advance responsible, meaningful careers in consulting, politics and business.

These new possibilities align with three strategic goals currently pursued by the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs: to elevate the numeracy competency of political science majors through expanded exposure to quantitative methodologies and analysis; to create deeper interdisciplinary connections between the undergraduate political science and economics programs and to develop undergraduate and/or graduate offerings that integrate political science, economics, and law to address issues of justice related to economic, political, environmental and social rights.

As students prepare for careers, graduate studies, or life after college, the ECAS major offers a powerful foundation. Economics sharpens analytical reasoning and data interpretation through tools like statistical modeling and game theory, while the liberal arts context builds strong communication and writing skills and the ability to understand complex socio-historical cultural contexts. Together, these elements help students think critically, argue persuasively, and understand how economic forces intersect with society at large using big data and theory. The B.A. in Economics provides students with the tools not only to understand our world but to shape it. Applications are now open for Fall 2025, and students interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Professor Michael Taylor ([email protected]), chairperson of the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs.

Categories: Education