In this course, students will begin exploring how a nation’s income is measured, carefully analyze Gross Domestic Product and debate whether it’s an outdated measurement for growth. Next, a look into costs of living will segway into inflation and its relationship with unemployment. Understanding measurements for savings and investment will guide students into a look at the basic tools of finance. Open-economy concepts of trade balance, exchange rate, and aggregate supply/demand will broaden the lens of the class and initiate a look into developing nations and their economies. Lastly, students will play a stock game that will allow them to buy and short sell stocks on an on-line platform, tracking their portfolio over the course of the term. Short writing assignments, quizzes, and tests will be the primary forms of assessment in this class.  

Cross-listed with History.  This course is open to juniors and seniors or by departmental approval.