AT Micro/Macro Economics

DAY 1: Discussion of Ariely, Predictably Irrational chapter 2. A key question: To what extent do people base their current economic choices on their past experiences with price and value? HOMEWORK: Read Colander, Microeconomics chapter 6. DAY 2: Discussion of Colander chapter 6. A few key concepts: price elasticity; cross elasticity; substitution. HOMEWORK: Study for the quiz. DAY 3: Quiz on Colander chapters 5-6 and Ariely chapter 2. HOMEWORK: Read the New York Times article "Escaping the Cycle of Scarcity." DAY 4: Discussion of the NY Times article. A few key questions: What are the underlying causes of poverty? What is the most efficient means of moving people out of poverty? LONG PERIOD: Discussion of the Economist article "Digital Media: Counting the Change." A key question: How have media companies dealt with the problems associated with illegal downloading?

WEEK'S EYE-OPENER: Give me the luxuries of life and I can do without the necessities. KEY DATES: 1. During the third class period of the week, you will have a quiz on chapters 3 and 4 in Colander plus the Introduction and first chapter in Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational, and the article, The Rich Get Richer Through the Recovery. There will be two essay questions. 1. Based on the article, The Rich Get Richer Through the Recovery," explain why the wealth gap widening. Should something be done about it? 2. What have you learned about individual choice from the Ariely reading? 2. On Friday, Nov. 29, your stock selection research paper is due. LONG PERIOD: 1. We will view an 18 minute clip on the Federal Reserve that was aired on Charlie Rose on Sept. 20. When you watch the video, focus on what you can learn about the state of our economy. CLASS ONE: A facilitator will lead a discussion on chapter 4 in Colander. HOMEWORK: read the introduction and chapter 1 in Predictably I

CLASS ONE: Discussion of Wheelan chapter 1. A few key questions: Should people be allowed to buy birthday cakes for dogs while others are homeless? What is "utility" and how do people look to maximize it? Does every market transaction make people "better off" on the whole? HOMEWORK: Study for the quiz via eztest and review of your readings. CLASS TWO: Quiz on Colander chapters 1 & 2 and Wheelan chapter 1. There will be a multiple choice section and a short essay section. The short essay section will ask you to address the question "what is economics?" HOMEWORK: Read Colander chapter 3. CLASS THREE: Discussion of Colander chapter 3. A few key concepts: Institutions; Market Economy; Welfare. HOMEWORK: Read Wheelan chapter 3. CLASS FOUR: Discussion of Wheelan chapter 3. A few key questions: What is an externality and what is government's role in managing them? What is the role of infrastructure in economic stability and growth? Should gove