Major in Business, Economics, and Society (BESoc)
BESoc Major Description
Preregistration - Fall 2023
- Please review the BESoc Major Requirements on the course catalog site.
- Additionally, please refer to our grid of Social Issues courses offered next year.
The Business, Economics, and Society (BESoc) major expresses the interdisciplinary nature and commitments of the Economics and Business Department. It builds on the commonalities and the differences in the two disciplines as they study human economic behavior—its nature, its sources, and its consequences.
The major analyzes three key relationships. First, it examines the roles business and economics play within society, in particular the place of modern corporations and social enterprises in civil society and in government and economic policy. Second, it evaluates the impact of business on society, focusing on market forces, on market failures, and on services provided to all members of society. Third, it explores the effects of society on business and the economy, exploring how social issues frame business opportunities and strategies, and how corporations respond (or fail to respond) to social concerns.
By promoting knowledge of structures and processes central to democratic society in a global age, it hopes to shape effective citizens. Through this goal and through its emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking, the major contributes to the college’s commitment to the liberal arts. It also addresses issues of economic inequality and social injustice, and in so doing reinforces the college’s anti-racism agenda and its efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
Key Documents and Links
Course of Study and Major Declaration
Review the Business, Economics, and Society Major Requirements for a full picture of the course of study.
Visit the BESoc Major Course Catalog for a list of all courses that count toward the major, and review the Approved Social Issues Courses to plan your course of study. Consider completing a Social Issues Course Petition if you'd like to count a course that is not already on the approved list.
To declare your major, visit the Registrar's Office or complete the Major Declaration Form online.
Other Relevant Links
Visit the Registrar’s Transfer Credit Into CC page for information on getting AP, GCE, and Transfer credit. The site includes AP and GCE score requirements for getting credit toward courses in the major.
IB courses are approved for credit on a case by case basis by the department. If you would like to receive credit for an IB course, please contact the current Department Chair.
Visit the Global Education Office’s Credit Transfer Overview page for information on getting credit for classes taken during study abroad. You must declare your major before you study abroad in order to get credit toward your major from your program.