Think Like an Economist
-
Introduction to economic thinking, decision-making, opportunity cost, and the production possibilities curve.
-
Develop critical thinking skills to analyze economic problems and policy decisions.
-
Understand the role of scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost in economic decision-making.
-
Apply economic reasoning to everyday situations and current events.
|
Year-Long Course
Think Like an Economist (2 weeks)
-
Day 1: Factors of Production
-
Day 2-3: The Four Basic Economic Questions
-
Day 4: Measuring Production
-
Day 5: Factors that Improve Productivity
-
Day 6: Shaping Economic Choices, Trade-Offs, Marginal Costs & Benefits
-
Day 7: The Production Possibilities Curve (PPC)
-
Day 8: Micro vs. Macro Economics
-
Day 9-10: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Think Like an Economist (1 week)
-
Introduction to economic thinking, decision-making, opportunity cost, and the production possibilities curve.
-
Day 1: Factors of Production | The Four Basic Economic Questions
-
Day 2: Measuring Production | Factors that Improve Productivity
-
Day 3: Shaping Economic Choices, Trade-Offs, Marginal Costs & Benefits
-
Day 4: The Production Possibilities Curve (PPC) | Micro vs. Macro Economics
-
Day 5: Review & Assess
|
Economic Systems
-
Compare and contrast different economic systems (traditional, command, market, and mixed economies) regarding allocation of resources, production, and distribution of goods.
-
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each economic system.
-
Discuss how different countries embody these systems and the impact on their citizens' quality of life.
|
Year-Long Course
Economic Systems (3 weeks)
-
Exploration of different economic systems (traditional, command, market, mixed) and how societies allocate resources.
-
Day 1-2: Economic Systems & Types of Economic Systems
-
Day 3-4: Traditional Economy
-
Day 5-6: Command Economy
-
Day 7-8: Market Economy
-
Day 9-10: Mixed Economy
-
Day 11-12: Capitalism | Free Enterprise
-
Day 13: Compare and Contrast Economic Systems
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Economic Systems (1.5 weeks)
-
Exploration of different economic systems (traditional, command, market, mixed) and how societies allocate resources.
-
Day 1: Economic Systems & Types of Economic Systems
-
Day 2: Traditional Economy
-
Day 3: Command Economy
-
Day 4: Market Economy
-
Day 5: Mixed Economy
-
Day 6: Capitalism | Free Enterprise
-
Day 7: Compare and Contrast Economic Systems
-
Day 8: Review & Assess
|
Free Enterprise in the US
-
Understand the principles of the free enterprise system, including private property, competition, profit motive, and consumer sovereignty.
-
Analyze the role of government in a free enterprise system, including regulation, protection, and maintaining competition.
-
Discuss the balance between free enterprise and social welfare in the US economy.
|
Year-Long Course
Free Enterprise in the US (2 weeks)
-
Understanding the characteristics of free enterprise, capitalism, and the role of government in the US economy.
-
Day 1-2: Capitalism
-
Day 3: Free Enterprise System
-
Day 4-5: Legalities
-
Day 6: Government Oversight
-
Day 7-8: 6 Principles of Free Enterprise in the U.S.
-
Day 9-10: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Free Enterprise in the US (1 week)
-
Understanding the characteristics of free enterprise, capitalism, and the role of government in the US economy.
-
Day 1: Capitalism | Free Enterprise System
-
Day 2: Legalities
-
Day 3: Government Oversight
-
Day 4: 6 Principles of Free Enterprise in the U.S.
-
Day 5: Review & Assess
|
Supply, Demand, Price
-
Explain the laws of supply and demand and how they determine the price of goods and services.
-
Illustrate how changes in supply and demand affect equilibrium prices and quantities.
-
Apply concepts of elasticity to understand how price changes impact consumer behavior and producer decisions.
|
Year-Long Course
Supply, Demand, Price (3 weeks)
-
Fundamentals of supply and demand, market equilibrium, shifts in curves, and impact on prices.
-
Day 1: Supply, Supply Schedule
-
Day 2: Supply Curve, Law of Supply, Change in Supply
-
Day 3: Elasticity of Supply
-
Day 4: Price and Supply
-
Day 5: Labor and Supply
-
Day 6: Demand (Measuring Demand, Demand Schedule
-
Day 7: Demand Curve, Law of Demand, Change in Demand
-
Day 8: Things that Affect Demand
-
Day 9: Elasticity of Demand
-
Day 10-11: Factors that Affect Supply and Demand
-
Day 12: Market Schedule & Market Equilibrium (Surplus, Shortage)
-
Day 13: Fixed Prices, Price Ceiling, Price Floor, Changes
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Supply, Demand, Price (2 weeks)
-
Fundamentals of supply and demand, market equilibrium, shifts in curves, and impact on prices.
-
Day 1: Supply, Supply Schedule
-
Day 2: Supply Curve, Law of Supply, Change in Supply, Elasticity of Supply
-
Day 3: Price and Supply | Labor and Supply
-
Day 4: Demand (Measuring Demand, Demand Schedule
-
Day 5: Demand Curve, Law of Demand, Change in Demand
-
Day 6: Things that Affect Demand | Elasticity of Demand
-
Day 7: Factors that Affect Supply and Demand
-
Day 8: Market Schedule & Market Equilibrium (Surplus, Shortage)
-
Day 9: Fixed Prices, Price Ceiling, Price Floor, Changes
-
Day 10: Review & Assess
|
Market Structures
-
Identify characteristics of different market structures: perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopoly.
-
Analyze how each market structure affects product prices, quality, and innovation.
-
Discuss the role of government regulation in different market structures.
|
Year-Long Course
Market Structures (3 weeks)
-
Overview of various market structures (perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, monopoly) and their characteristics.
-
Day 1-2: Four Types of Market Structures
-
Day 3-4: Perfect Competition
-
Day 5-6: Monopolistic Competition
-
Day 7-8: Oligopoly
-
Day 9-10: Monopoly
-
Day 11-13: Compare and Contrast Market Structures
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Market Structures (1.5 weeks)
-
Overview of various market structures (perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, monopoly) and their characteristics.
-
Day 1: Four Types of Market Structures
-
Day 2: Perfect Competition
-
Day 3: Monopolistic Competition
-
Day 4: Oligopoly
-
Day 5: Monopoly
-
Day 6-7: Compare and Contrast Market Structures
-
Day 8: Review & Assess
|
Business Organizations
-
Compare different forms of business organizations: sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and cooperatives.
-
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type of business organization.
-
Understand the role of entrepreneurship in the economy and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
|
Year-Long Course
Business Organizations (3 weeks)
-
Examination of different forms of business ownership (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation) and their advantages and disadvantages.
-
Day 1-3: Types of Business Organizations: Sole Proprietorship
-
Day 4-5: Partnerships
-
Day 6-8: Corporation | Types of Business Organizations
-
Day 9-10: Conglomerate
-
Day 11-13: How Businesses Grow and Expand
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Business Organizations (1.5 weeks)
-
Examination of different forms of business ownership (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation) and their advantages and disadvantages.
-
Day 1: Types of Business Organizations: Sole Proprietorship
-
Day 2: Partnerships
-
Day 3-4: Corporation | Types of Business Organizations
-
Day 5: Conglomerate
-
Day 6: How Businesses Grow and Expand
-
Day 7: Review & Assess
|
Labor and Workforce
-
Explore the factors that influence labor supply and demand, wage determination, and the role of unions.
-
Analyze trends in labor force participation, including changes in demographics, education, and technology.
-
Discuss issues related to unemployment, underemployment, and labor rights.
|
Year-Long Course
Labor and Workforce (3 weeks)
-
Study of labor market dynamics, wage determination, labor unions, and workforce trends.
-
Day 1: Labor Overview
-
Day 2-3: 4 Factors of Production
-
Day 4-5: How We Measure Labor
-
Day 6-7: Wages | Types of Labor
-
Day 8-9: Labor and the Economy
-
Day 10-11: Changing Job Market
-
Day 12-13: Labor Unions
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Labor and Workforce (1.5 weeks)
-
Study of labor market dynamics, wage determination, labor unions, and workforce trends.
-
Day 1: Labor Overview
-
Day 2: 4 Factors of Production
-
Day 3: How We Measure Labor
-
Day 4: Wages | Types of Labor | Labor and the Economy
-
Day 5: Changing Job Market
-
Day 6: Labor Unions
-
Day 7: Review & Assess
|
Money, Finances, Banks
-
Understand the functions of money, the operation of the banking system, and the role of the Federal Reserve.
-
Discuss the importance of saving, investing, and credit in personal financial planning.
-
Analyze the impact of interest rates on saving, borrowing, and economic growth.
|
Year-Long Course
Money, Finances, Banks (3 weeks)
-
Introduction to the role of money, financial institutions, the Federal Reserve System, and the creation of money.
-
Day 1: Purpose of Money
-
Day 2: Properties of Money
-
Day 3: Type of Money
-
Day 4-5: The History of Banks | Alexander Hamilton
-
Day 6-7: Types of Financial Institutions
-
Day 8-9: Financial Systems: Banks, Stock Markets, Bond Markets, Insurance Markets
-
Day 9: Savings and Interest Accounts
-
Day 10: Investments
-
Day 11-12: The Stock Market
-
Day 13: Functions | Properties of Money
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Money, Finances, Banks (1.5 weeks)
-
Introduction to the role of money, financial institutions, the Federal Reserve System, and the creation of money.
-
Day 1: Purpose of Money | Properties of Money
-
Day 2: Type of Money
-
Day 3: The History of Banks | Alexander Hamilton
-
Day 4: Types of Financial Institutions
-
Day 5: Financial Systems: Banks, Stock Markets, Bond Markets, Insurance Markets
-
Day 6: Savings and Interest Accounts | Investments
-
Day 7: The Stock Market
-
Day 8: Review & Assess
|
Economic Performance
-
Measure economic performance using indicators such as GDP, inflation rates, and unemployment rates.
-
Evaluate the causes and consequences of economic fluctuations and policies aimed at stabilizing the economy.
-
Discuss the challenges of measuring economic well-being and the limitations of GDP as an indicator.
|
Year-Long Course
Economic Performance (3 weeks)
-
Understanding macroeconomic indicators (GDP, unemployment rate, inflation) and their implications.
-
Day 1-2: How We Measure Production
-
Day 3-4: Economic Performance Measures
-
Day 5: Factors that Improve Productivity
-
Day 6: The Business Cycle
-
Day 7-8: Employment
-
Day 9: Poverty
-
Day 10-11: Income Distribution
-
Day 12-13: Inflation
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Economic Performance (1.5 weeks)
-
Understanding macroeconomic indicators (GDP, unemployment rate, inflation) and their implications.
-
Day 1: How We Measure Production
-
Day 2: Economic Performance Measures
-
Day 3: Factors that Improve Productivity
-
Day 4: The Business Cycle
-
Day 5: Employment
-
Day 6: Poverty | Income Distribution | Inflation
-
Day 7: Review & Assess
|
Government and the Economy
-
Examine the role of government in managing the economy, including fiscal and monetary policy.
-
Discuss the impact of taxation and government spending on economic growth and distribution of wealth.
-
Analyze debates over government intervention in the economy, including social safety nets and market regulations.
|
Year-Long Course
Government and the Economy (3 weeks)
-
Role of government in economic policy (fiscal policy, monetary policy), taxation, and government spending.
-
Day 1-2: Purpose of Taxes
-
Day 3-4: –Types of Taxes
-
Day 5-6: Taxes and the IRS | How Taxes Work | Forms | Filing
-
Day 7: Discretionary Spending
-
Day 8: Federal Budget
-
Day 9-10: Federal, State, and Local Taxes
-
Day 11: Fiscal Policy
-
Day 12: Deficits & National Debt
-
Day 13: Federal Reserve System “The Fed”
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Government and the Economy (1.5 weeks)
-
Role of government in economic policy (fiscal policy, monetary policy), taxation, and government spending.
-
Day 1: Purpose of Taxes | Types of Taxes
-
Day 2: Taxes and the IRS | How Taxes Work | Forms | Filing
-
Day 3: Discretionary Spending
-
Day 4: Federal Budget
-
Day 5: Federal, State, and Local Taxes
-
Day 6: Fiscal Policy
-
Day 7: Deficits & National Debt | Federal Reserve System “The Fed”
-
Day 8: Review & Assess
|
Global Economy
-
Understand the principles of international trade and finance, including comparative advantage, trade barriers, and exchange rates.
-
Discuss the impact of globalization on economies, cultures, and the environment.
-
Analyze the role of international institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
|
Year-Long Course
Global Economy (2 weeks)
-
Exploration of international trade, exchange rates, balance of trade, and globalization's effects.
-
Day 1-2: Global Economy
-
Day 3-4: International Institutions | Trade Alliances
-
Day 5-6: World Trade Organization
-
Day 7-8: Exchange Rates
-
Day 9-10: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Global Economy (1 week)
-
Exploration of international trade, exchange rates, balance of trade, and globalization's effects.
-
Day 1: Global Economy
-
Day 2: International Institutions | Trade Alliances
-
Day 3: World Trade Organization
-
Day 4: Exchange Rates
-
Day 5: Review & Assess
|
Personal Finances
-
Develop skills in budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt.
-
Understand the importance of financial planning for short-term and long-term goals.
-
Discuss strategies for making informed financial decisions and avoiding common financial pitfalls.
|
Year-Long Course
Personal Finances (3 weeks)
-
Basics of personal finance management, budgeting, saving, investing, and credit.
-
Day 1-2: Budgeting & Money
-
Day 3: Credit
-
Day 4: Buying a Car
-
Day 5-6: Getting Insurance
-
Day 7-8: Paying for College
-
Day 9-10: Applying for a Job
-
Day 11: Getting Your Own Home
-
Day 12-13: Paying and Filing Taxes
-
Day 14-15: Review & Assess
|
Semester Course
Personal Finances 2 weeks)
-
Basics of personal finance management, budgeting, saving, investing, and credit.
-
Day 1: Budgeting & Money
-
Day 2: Credit
-
Day 3: Buying a Car
-
Day 4: Getting Insurance
-
Day 5: Paying for College
-
Day 6: Applying for a Job
-
Day 7: Getting Your Own Home
-
Day 8-9: Paying and Filing Taxes
-
Day 10: Review & Assess
|