Which math courses?

Re-blogged from N. Gregory Mankiw's Blog, Proffesor at Harvard University and American Economist

In response to my previous post offering advice to aspiring economists, a student emails me:

Since the time allocation is limited, I can take only some math courses and the problem is that I am not sure which courses are most important for a successful economist and which course I should take first. Can you possibly suggest for me a list of math courses that a typical economics student should take step by step?

Here is one plan of action:

Calculus
Linear Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Real Analysis
Probability Theory
Mathematical Statistics
Game Theory
Differential Equations

"My Life as a Student " by N. Gregory Mankiw, Proffesor at Harvard University and American Economist

Re-blogged from N. Gregory Mankiw's Blog

A reader of the blog writes:

Prof Mankiw,
Just to let you know, I'm a big fan of yours and some of your work has inspired me to pursue a career in Economics. I just have one question for you - that may seem silly, but hey, - your educational background is very impressive - but did you ever struggle with any of the courses you studied as a student?
Sometimes, an academic life can be a struggle, can't it? Or do you find it all fun?
Thanks for reading this. I know you are very busy so I'll understand if you don't reply. You are an inspiration.
[name withheld]

As a student, I had the most trouble with three kinds of courses:

1. Those that required motor skills. I was solidly in the bottom quartile of my junior high school and high school classes in shop, typing, and physical education (but somehow I managed to become captain of my high school fencing team).

2. Those that required good memorization skills. Languages in particular were a weak point in my academic career, mostly because I had trouble learning the large quantity of new vocabulary words.