» Recommended Classes for First-Year Economics Majors

Here are the classes that we recommend you take during your first year as a Economics major at Chapman. 

For your first semester, we recommend taking 12-15 credits (most classes are 3 credits; those with labs are 4). You must be enrolled in 12 credits to be considered a full-time status student. The recommended courses below will put you at 15 credits per semester (fall and spring). 

Introductory Math Requirement

As an incoming first-year student, you must take a math assessment. If you place into Math 100 (Learning and Studying Mathematics for Understanding), then you must enroll in this course in your first year (fall or spring semester). For more information, visit our Math Assessment webpage. 

General Education Classes

You can choose a General Education (GE) class from any GE category – it’s your choice. In general, the following GE areas are recommended to begin/complete during your first year:

  • GE Language Study (strongly recommended)
  • GE Quantitative Inquiry

Note: Some GE courses may “double count” with your major or minor. Students can share up to 9 credits between major and GE requirements and can share up to 6 credits between minor and GE requirements. Visit the General Education Program site to review the GE policies and see a list of approved courses for each GE area.

You can learn more about general education on our General Education: How it Works page.

Fall Semester

Economics majors are NOT part of the Block Scheduling program for first-year students in the Fall 2023 semester. This means that you must register yourself into your recommended major courses listed below. You can then build the rest of your schedule around these required major courses.

FFC 100 - You Choose! 
Credits: 3

All first-year students at Chapman have to take First Year Foundations. The class will introduce you to college and there is a different topic for every major.

Certain major programs require that their students take a specific FFC course, or give you a choice from a list of FFC courses specific to the major. If you are in a major that doesn't require you to take a specific FFC course, then you will be directed to choose from a listing of all FFC course options for Fall 2023. See the First-Year Focus GE page for your major’s list of FFC options.

MATH 101 / 110* (your Math class will depending on where you place after taking the Math Assessment)
Credits: 3

ECON 200 / ECON 201 and ECON 204 (MATH 101 is a pre-requisite class for ECON 200 and ECON 201. If you place into MATH 101 after taking the Math Assessment, then you cannot register in ECON 200 or 201 in the Fall but must wait to take it in the Spring)
Credits: 3

GE class or minor exploration 
Credits: 3

GE class or minor exploration
Credits: 3

Spring Semester

ECON 200 / ECON 201 and ECON 204
Credits: 3

MATH 110* / GE class or minor exploration (if not taken in Fall semester)
Credits: 3

GE class or minor exploration 

Credits: 3

GE class or minor exploration
Credits: 3

*Students may substitute MATH 109 - Calculus with Applications in Business and Social Science (3 credits) for MATH 110 - Single Variable Calculus I (3 credits). However, students planning to pursue graduate studies in economics are strongly advised to take MATH 110 and additional mathematics courses under the guidance of their advisor.