E C O N O M I C S
This particular Economics class prepares students to function effectively as consumers, savers, investors, entrepreneurs, and active citizens. On a personal and philosophical level, students learn that their own human capital (knowledge and skills) is their most valuable resource. Students will learn concepts, topics, and methods to get the most out of their lives.
Course Units and Assignments
Unit 1: Introduction
Presentation: "Life's Not Fair"
Video: The Time You Have (in jelly beans)
Assignment: Econ 1.1: The Time You Have (in jelly beans)
Assignment: Econ 1.2: Leaving Home & Welcome to the Real World
Assignment: Econ 1.3: Have List & Need List
Assignment: Econ 1.4: The Economics of "Castaway"
Assignment: Econ 1.5: Island Game Evaluation
Unit 2: On Your Own
Assignment: Econ 2.1: Renting an Apartment
Info: Rental Guide (use with "Rental Application" assignment below)
Assignment: Econ 2.2: Rental Application (Read: Info: Rental Guide First)
Assignment: Econ 2.3: Would you Sign this Lease?
Assignment: Econ 2.4: Transportation Costs
Assignment: Econ 2.5: Insurance Basics
Assignment: Econ 2.6: Buying Auto Insurance
Assignment: Econ 2.7: Monthly Expenses
Assignment: Econ 2.8: Working a Budget
Info: "Biggest Budgeting Blunders"
Video: TED: 3 Psychological Tricks to Saving Money
Assignment: Econ 2.9: Monthly Budgeting Exercise
Information needed to complete Monthly Budgeting Exercise Assignment Above: Month #1
Information needed to complete Monthly Budgeting Exercise Assignment Above: Month #2
Assignment: Econ 2.11: Read and Respond to the following 2 Readings:
Reading #1: The High Cost of Poverty
Reading #2: The Emotional Effects of Debt
Assessment: Econ 2.12: On Your Own
Unit 3: Career Exploration
Assignment: Econ 3.1: Video Guide: Pursuit of Happyness
Assignment: Econ 3.2: Career Exploration
Reading: Preparing for a Job Interview
Video: TED: Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language
Assignment: Econ 3.3: "Making Money" articles
Reading #1: Money Doesn't Buy Happiness
Reading #2: The Work and Spend Cycle
Assessment: Econ 3.4: On Your Own
Unit 4: Banking & Checking
Assignment: Econ 4.1: Banking & Checking Accounts
Assessment: Econ 4.2: Banking Services
Unit 5: Saving & Investing
Econ 5.1: Video: How we get value and odds wrong
Econ 5.2: Video Lecture: The Value of Time & Money
Econ 5.3: Information: Saving & Investing
Assignment: Econ 5.3: Saving & Investing
Assessment: Econ 5.4: Saving & Investing
Unit 6: Credit & Credit Cards
Assignment: Econ 6.1: QTPi Credit Card Activity
Information: Credit Card Agreement (The Fine Print)
Video: Frontline : Secret History of the Credit Card
Assignment: Econ 6.2: Questions: Secret History of the Credit Card
Assignment: Econ 6.4: Credit Cards
Unit 7: Consumer Awareness
Assignment: Econ 7.1: Consumer Awareness
Reading: 15 Ways Stores Trick You Into Spending
Video: TED: Cameron Russell: Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model
Assignment: Econ 7.2: Video: Frontline: "Generation Like"
Assignment: Econ 7.3: Protecting Your Financial Self
Reading: Protecting Your Financial Self
Unit 8: Summary, Wrap up, the Meaning of Life....
Assignment: Econ 8.1: Your Life. Your Money
Watch: TED Talk: Chip Conley: Measuring What Makes Life Worthwhile
Assignment: Econ 8.2: Quiz: TED Talk: Chip Conley: Measuring What Makes Life Worthwhile
Assignment: Econ 8.3: Economics and Your Life
Watch: City Slickers
Video: ABC Special: The Last Lecture
Assignment: Econ 8.4 The Last Lecture
Information: Top 5 Regrets of the Dying
Video: TED: Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE: Economics