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BACHELOR-OF-ARTS in Economics at St. Xavier's College for Women, Aluva
Ernakulam, Kerala
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About the Specialization
What is Economics at St. Xavier's College for Women, Aluva Ernakulam?
This Bachelor of Arts in Economics program at St. Xavier''''s College for Women, Aluva, focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of economic principles, theories, and their real-world applications. The curriculum, aligned with Mahatma Gandhi University''''s rigorous standards, equips students with analytical tools to interpret economic phenomena, understand policy implications, and contribute to national development. It delves into both micro and macro aspects, preparing graduates for diverse roles in India''''s evolving economic landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for aspiring economists, researchers, and policy analysts. It suits fresh graduates from higher secondary education who possess a keen interest in societal dynamics, quantitative analysis, and problem-solving. Individuals aiming for careers in civil services, banking, finance, journalism, or further academic pursuits in economics will find this program foundational and enriching, provided they have a strong aptitude for logical reasoning and data interpretation.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue various career paths in India. Entry-level roles in economic analysis, market research, data analysis, and banking typically offer salaries ranging from INR 3-6 lakhs per annum. With experience, growth trajectories can lead to positions in policy formulation, investment banking, and academic research, with salaries potentially exceeding INR 10-15 lakhs. The program also provides a strong foundation for professional certifications in finance or data analytics.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Conceptual Foundations- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on deeply understanding core microeconomic principles and quantitative methods. Utilize textbooks and supplementary readings recommended by faculty. Engage in regular problem-solving sessions, forming study groups to discuss complex theories and solve numerical exercises. This ensures a robust understanding critical for advanced topics and future analytical roles.
Tools & Resources
NCERT Economics books (Class 11, 12), Mankiw''''s Principles of Economics, Paul Krugman''''s Microeconomics, College library resources, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Strong foundational knowledge is crucial for competitive exams (UPSC, RBI Grade B) and for excelling in entry-level analytical roles requiring economic reasoning.
Develop Quantitative Skills Early- (Semester 1-2)
Pay close attention to the introductory Statistics and Mathematics courses. Practice diligently with numerical problems and ensure clarity on concepts like measures of central tendency, dispersion, probability, and basic calculus. Seek help from faculty or peers for any difficulties immediately.
Tools & Resources
R.S. Aggarwal''''s Quantitative Aptitude, Schaum''''s Outlines for Mathematics/Statistics, Khan Academy, College math lab
Career Connection
Essential for data analysis, econometric roles, and entrance exams for postgraduate studies in economics or finance.
Cultivate Critical Reading & Communication- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in class discussions and make it a habit to read economic news and articles from reputable sources daily (e.g., The Economic Times, Livemint, The Hindu Business Line). Work on improving academic writing and presentation skills through English common courses. This enhances analytical thinking and the ability to articulate economic arguments clearly.
Tools & Resources
Reputable financial newspapers, Economic magazines, Official government economic reports (Economic Survey of India), College debate clubs, Presentation software
Career Connection
Vital for report writing, policy advocacy, media relations, and effective communication in any professional setting.
Intermediate Stage
Apply Theory to Indian Context- (Semester 3-5)
When studying Macroeconomics, Public Finance, and Indian Economy, actively link theoretical concepts to current Indian economic policies, challenges, and growth stories. Analyze government budgets, RBI monetary policies, and sector-specific reports. This contextual understanding is vital for Indian job markets.
Tools & Resources
Union Budget documents, RBI annual reports, Economic Survey of India, NITI Aayog reports, Journals like EPW, Research papers
Career Connection
Directly applicable for roles in government planning, policy research, banking, and financial analysis in India.
Enhance Analytical Software Proficiency- (Semester 3-5)
Begin exploring and learning basic statistical software or tools. Even introductory exposure to Excel for data analysis, or open-source tools like R or Python (with pandas/numpy) for basic data manipulation and visualization, will be highly beneficial. This practical skill complements theoretical learning.
Tools & Resources
Microsoft Excel, R Studio (for R programming), Anaconda (for Python), Online tutorials (Coursera, DataCamp for beginners)
Career Connection
High demand skill for data analyst, market research, and business intelligence roles in India.
Participate in Economic Debates & Competitions- (Semester 3-5)
Engage in inter-college economics quizzes, paper presentation competitions, and policy discussion forums. This hones quick thinking, research abilities, and the capacity to defend economic perspectives. It also provides networking opportunities with peers and faculty from other institutions.
Tools & Resources
College Economics Association, Inter-college festivals, Online platforms for debates, Current economic news analysis
Career Connection
Develops critical thinking, public speaking, and networking skills crucial for leadership and research-oriented careers.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Comprehensive Research Project- (Semester 6)
Approach the final year project with seriousness. Choose a topic that aligns with your career interests, conduct thorough literature review, collect and analyze data (primary or secondary), and meticulously prepare the report. Seek regular guidance from your project mentor.
Tools & Resources
Research journals (JSTOR, Google Scholar), Statistical software (SPSS, EViews, R, Python), Survey tools, Institutional ethics review board
Career Connection
Develops independent research capability, a key skill for postgraduate studies, policy analysis, and research roles. It also serves as a strong portfolio piece for placements.
Prepare for Higher Education/Placements- (Semester 6)
Dedicate time for entrance exam preparation for M.A. Economics (e.g., DSE, JNU, IGIDR, ISI) or MBA, or prepare for campus placements. Attend career workshops, mock interviews, and resume building sessions organized by the college''''s placement cell. Network with alumni.
Tools & Resources
Coaching institutes, Online test series, Placement cell resources, LinkedIn for networking, Interview preparation guides
Career Connection
Direct pathway to securing admission in top Indian universities or landing a desirable job upon graduation.
Deep Dive into Specialised Electives & Econometrics- (Semester 6)
For subjects like Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, focus on both theoretical understanding and practical implementation. Learn to interpret econometric results and apply mathematical models to real economic problems. This high-level quantitative skill is a differentiator in the job market.
Tools & Resources
Econometrics textbooks (Gujarati, Wooldridge), Statistical software manuals, Specific online courses for advanced econometrics (e.g., NPTEL)
Career Connection
Opens doors to specialized roles in financial modeling, forecasting, economic consulting, and data science within India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Pass in Plus Two or equivalent examination or having secured an equivalent grade from any recognized board.
Duration: 6 semesters / 3 years
Credits: 122 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN1CC01B01 | Academic Writing and Presentation Skills | Common Course (English) | 4 | Academic English, Paragraph and Essay Writing, Presentation Skills, Referencing and Documentation, Writing Strategies |
| ML1CC01M01 | Common Additional Language Course I (e.g., Malayalam) | Common Course (Additional Language) | 4 | Grammar and Usage, Comprehension, Translation, Literary Forms, Communication Skills |
| EC1CRT01 | Microeconomics I | Core | 4 | Basic Economic Problems, Demand and Supply, Consumer Behavior, Production Theory, Cost Analysis, Market Equilibrium |
| PO1CMT01 | Introduction to Political Science | Complementary Course (Political Science) | 4 | Nature and Scope of Political Science, Concept of State and Sovereignty, Rights and Duties, Forms of Government, Key Political Concepts |
| ST1CMT01 | Descriptive Statistics | Complementary Course (Statistics) | 4 | Introduction to Statistics, Data Collection and Classification, Diagrammatic Representation, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Skewness and Kurtosis |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN2CC02B02 | Reading Literature and Contemporary Issues | Common Course (English) | 4 | Literary Forms, Environmental Studies, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Media and Society |
| ML2CC02M02 | Common Additional Language Course II (e.g., Malayalam) | Common Course (Additional Language) | 4 | Advanced Grammar, Literary Criticism, Creative Writing, Cultural Aspects of Language, Translation Practice |
| EC2CRT02 | Microeconomics II | Core | 4 | Market Structures (Monopoly, Oligopoly), Factor Pricing, General Equilibrium, Welfare Economics, Market Failures, Basic Game Theory |
| PO2CMT02 | Political Ideologies | Complementary Course (Political Science) | 4 | Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Feminism, Environmentalism |
| ST2CMT02 | Probability and Probability Distributions | Complementary Course (Statistics) | 4 | Basic Probability Theory, Random Variables, Expectations, Discrete Distributions (Binomial, Poisson), Continuous Distributions (Normal), Sampling Distributions |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN3CC03B03 | Literature and the World | Common Course (English) | 4 | World Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Modernism and Postmodernism, Literary Theory, Cultural Contexts of Literature |
| EC3CRT03 | Macroeconomics I | Core | 4 | Introduction to Macroeconomics, National Income Accounting, Classical Theory of Employment, Keynesian Theory, Consumption and Investment Functions, Multiplier and Accelerator |
| EC3CRT04 | Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis I | Core | 4 | Basic Mathematics for Economics, Set Theory, Functions and Relations, Differentiation, Matrix Algebra, Linear Programming |
| PO3CMT03 | Indian Government and Politics | Complementary Course (Political Science) | 4 | Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Union and State Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, Federalism in India, Local Self-Government |
| ST3CMT03 | Statistical Inference I | Complementary Course (Statistics) | 4 | Sampling Methods, Point and Interval Estimation, Hypothesis Testing (Large Samples), Chi-Square Test, t-Distribution, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN4CC04B04 | English for Career | Common Course (English) | 4 | Business Communication, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Interview Skills, Public Speaking, Report Writing, Group Discussion Techniques |
| EC4CRT05 | Macroeconomics II | Core | 4 | Money and Banking, Inflation and Unemployment, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, Balance of Payments, Open Economy Macroeconomics |
| EC4CRT06 | Quantitative Methods for Economic Analysis II | Core | 4 | Integration, Difference Equations, Differential Equations, Input-Output Analysis, Linear Programming Applications, Optimization Methods |
| PO4CMT04 | International Relations | Complementary Course (Political Science) | 4 | Theories of International Relations, Cold War and Post-Cold War Era, United Nations, Globalisation, International Political Economy, Contemporary Global Issues |
| ST4CMT04 | Statistical Inference II | Complementary Course (Statistics) | 4 | Correlation and Regression Analysis, Time Series Analysis, Index Numbers, Vital Statistics, Demand Analysis, Statistical Quality Control |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EC5CRT07 | Indian Economy | Core | 4 | Structure of Indian Economy, Economic Planning in India, Agriculture Sector, Industrial Development, Service Sector, Economic Reforms |
| EC5CRT08 | Public Finance | Core | 4 | Role of Government in the Economy, Public Expenditure, Taxation, Public Debt, Fiscal Policy, Budgeting |
| EC5CRT09 | Development Economics | Core | 4 | Concepts of Economic Development, Theories of Development, Poverty and Inequality, Population and Human Development, Role of State and Market, Sustainable Development Goals |
| EC5CRT10 | History of Economic Thought | Core | 4 | Mercantilism and Physiocracy, Classical Economics (Adam Smith, Ricardo), Marxian Economics, Neoclassical Economics, Keynesian Revolution, Modern Economic Theories |
| EC5OCT01 | Economics of Panchayat Raj Institutions | Open Course | 3 | Decentralization and Local Governance, Panchayat Raj System in India, Functions and Finances of PRIs, Rural Development Initiatives, Fiscal Decentralization, Grassroots Planning |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EC6CRT11 | International Economics | Core | 4 | Theories of International Trade, Terms of Trade, Trade Barriers, Balance of Payments, Foreign Exchange Market, International Economic Institutions |
| EC6CRT12 | Environmental Economics | Core | 4 | Environmental Problems, Market Failure and Externalities, Valuation of Environmental Goods, Environmental Policy Instruments, Sustainable Development, Climate Change Economics |
| EC6CRT13 | Mathematical Economics | Core | 4 | Static Analysis, Comparative Statics, Optimization Techniques, Dynamic Analysis, Difference and Differential Equations, Economic Applications of Mathematics |
| EC6CRT14 | Econometrics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Econometrics, Simple Linear Regression Model, Multiple Regression Model, Problems in Regression Analysis, Dummy Variables, Time Series Econometrics |
| EC6PRP01 | Project | Project | 4 | Research Question Formulation, Literature Review, Methodology Design, Data Collection and Analysis, Report Writing, Presentation Skills |
| EC6VVT01 | Viva Voce | Viva Voce | 3 | Comprehensive Economic Knowledge, Project Defense, Analytical Skills, Communication of Ideas, Current Economic Affairs |
