The primary objective of this article is to see if and how attendance policy influences class attendance in undergraduate-level principles of macroeconomics classes. The second objective, which is related to the first, is to examine whether the nature of the attendance policy matters in terms of its impact on class attendance behavior. The results…

Briefly examines recent trends in undergraduate economics degrees. Discovers that despite periodic cycles, the proportion of degrees awarded has remained fairly steady. Includes statistical tables detailing the number and percentage of economics baccalaureate degrees awarded by colleges and universities. Discusses possible reasons and implications…

Briefly reviews the declining enrollment rates for undergraduate economics majors. Observes that after record enrollments during the 1980s, interest in a bachelor's economics degree dropped sharply in the 1990s. Discusses possible reasons for this decline and provides statistics. (MJP)

Briefly reviews and criticizes recent research into declining undergraduate economics enrollment. Argues that this research fails to consider an integral variable, the student's perspective. Recommends a 1981 student survey profile as a model to follow for future research. (MJP)

Maintains that high enrollment figures for undergraduate economics majors in the 1980s reflected social and economic trends more than any substantive interest in the subject. Argues that the discipline is better off without a preponderance of students whose only interest is business applications. (MJP)

Reports preliminary findings of a new project aimed at understanding the nature of time-series fluctuations in degrees awarded in various disciplines, including economics. Examines the consequences of such fluctuations for resource allocation within universities. Compares statistics among economics, history, and political science degrees. Includes…

Notes that economics is often the second choice of students screened out of an undergraduate business program. Argues that the increased enrollment in business programs during the 1980s led to a transient rise in economics enrollment. Current declining enrollment in economics corresponds to a decline in business. (MJP)

Compares characteristics of those schools that have experienced an increase in awarding undergraduate economics degrees with those suffering a decrease. Findings suggest that business/management degrees offer competition against economics degrees. Schools not offering business/management are less at risk. (MJP)