The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed to produce knowledgeable, articulate and innovative graduates recognized by their skills to think systematically and critically, gather and evaluate evidence from many and diverse sources, communicate clearly, and apply ethical principles to decision making for a variety of professions and industries. The three-year program offers specializations and the choice of more than 20 majors and minors in the humanities, social sciences and visual arts to encourage students to design their own academic program to reflect their intellectual interests and career aspirations. Economics Economics at ACU promotes the knowledge, and understanding of local business operation, consumer behaviour, economic policy, and national and global economic issues. The sequence encourages student interest in contemporary economic events and helps them to understand important issues such as unemployment, foreign debt, changes in the value of the dollar and the implication of these issues for consumers, businesses and the nation. Students also consider the policy options that are available to deal with these important issues in Australia and globally. The study of Economics provides the knowledge and skills for a variety of careers in both the private and public sectors, as well as providing a pathway for further study. Economics can lead to jobs in banking; share, finance or futures markets; business; insurance and superannuation; tourism; resource and environmental management; foreign affairs; the public service; journalism; statistical analysis and economic forecasting; economic policy analysis and development; and teaching in secondary and tertiary institutions, along with many other occupations. Volunteer experience Students undertake a degree capstone drawn from either: HUMA330 Community Engagement: Placement or HUMA331 Big Ideas: Social Enterprise and Innovation HUMA330 provides students with a community engagement placement of up to 70 hours with an organization relevant to their disciplinary study. HUMA331 provides students with the opportunity to engage the community by working to propose a solution to a real-world problem. Pathways to further study Bachelor of Arts graduates are well-placed to continue their studies in Arts Honours programs or in a range of postgraduate disciplines through their demonstrable research, analytical and communication skills gained from this undergraduate program. Career paths Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts program will be recognised by their skills to think systematically and critically; gather and evaluate evidence from many and diverse sources; communicate clearly; and apply ethical principles to decision making for a variety of professions and industries.