ECONOMICS

Profile of the Department

Department of Economics started at the inception of the College itself. B.A. Course was introduced in the year 1844. The year 1911 was an important year for the Department of Economics, when Rev. Fr. Carty, SJ became the Professor of Economics after completing his studies in England and in the year1918-19, Rev. Fr. Carty, SJ was promoted as the Head of the Department of Economics. He was a student of Alfred Marshall, a proud product of Cambridge University. The Department had several luminaries like Rev.Fr. Adisayam SJ and Rev. Fr. Ehrhart SJ. Even before the genesis of NSS, the Department was actively involved in the activities organized by the Institute of Social Service to serve the helpless people.
In 1930 MA course was introduced. After Rev.Dr. M. Sebastian, S.J. took-up the reins of the Department, research was introduced in the Department. The Research facilities are available both for M.Phil and Ph.D in Economics since 1974. The Department came under College Humanities and Social Sciences Improvement Programme (COHSSIP) for five years and did much experimentation in teaching methods. Business Administration Course was started in July 1999 as a branch of the Department of Economics under the headship of Prof.A.Susairaj.
Under the auspices of Economics Association, meetings are arranged and several eminent personalities address the students. The Department conducts a regional level workshop on Research Methodology annually and it helps to be a boon for the budding research scholars. The Department conducts annual lectures like CADAR Memorial Lecture, Rex Fernandez Endowment Lecture, and Kulandaisamy Arockiadoss Endowment Lecture. Students of the Department organize "ECONS" competition at the intercollegiate level every year. The most important milestone in the growth of the Department of Economics is the starting of the Association of Economists of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry 'AETP' in 1980. Rev. Dr M. Sebastian, SJ, a former HOD of Economics was the founder president of this AETP. Rev. Dr A G Leonard SJ, former principal of St.Joseph's College has been the Chairman of the Association of Economists of Tamil Nadu (AET). It conducts annual conference and publishes a journal "Peninsular Economist" (ISSN: 0976-8270) with the motto of 'Publish and Prosper'. In December 1973, the Department hosted the 50th All India Economics Conference and subsequently National Level Conferences. The Department offers project at the UG level and to have practical exposure to the students. The Department arranges study tours, field visits, industrial visits etc. The Department has been organizing remedial courses for the slow learners to pick up their lost opportunities and to quench their thirst of knowledge. The fast learners are being given the opportunity to prepare for competitive examinations through special coaching classes. The Department has linkage with Ramco Cements, Ariyalur and MoU with Trichy Ceramics (P) Ltd.

List of the Heads of the Department of Economics