Courses
Economics
Taught by Laura Morefield
ages 14+ (or permission of instructor)
Full-Year 32-week Course
Course Overview:
This discussion-driven course introduces intellectually curious high school students to the core topics of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students will explore foundational concepts such as supply and demand, market equilibrium, elasticity, production theory, market structures, game theory, GDP, inflation, unemployment, monetary policy, and fiscal policy.
Course Description:
This Economics course breaks down a college-level text to introduce the students to the topic of economics. They will learn the basics of Microeconomics to Macroeconomics, focusing on how individuals, businesses, and governments make choices in a world of scarcity.
Students will examine both microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts, including supply and demand, market structures, labor and financial markets, production and costs, and income distribution. Macroeconomic units focus on economic growth, unemployment, inflation, monetary and fiscal policy, and international trade and finance. Students will also analyze topics such as market failures, externalities, environmental policy, and public goods, analyzing current economic issues and global economic challenges.
In addition to the OpenStax text, other assigned readings will provide insight into behavioral economics and real-world applications of economic theory. After covering the basics, we will focus on different topics in economics driven by student interest. These topics may include but are not limited to graphs, monopolies, labor unions, productivity, income distribution, market failure and public policy, death, taxation, public choice and the international monetary system.
Schedule and Cost:
Thursday 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET
Course Dates (click to download pdf)
For Tuition Fees, Code of Conduct, and all the details, see THE FINE PRINT
What your Student will Learn:
Through case studies, data analysis, and class discussions, students will learn to apply economic reasoning to real-world issues including globalization, inequality, financial crises, and public policy. Drawing on insights from Nobel Prize winners such as Milton Friedman, Gary Becker, Daniel Kahneman and Richard Thaler, the course emphasizes analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and evidence-based argumentation.
By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret economic models, evaluate decisions using an economics framework, and analyze how economic forces shape local and global outcomes.
Why this Course is Important:
Economics equips students with a powerful framework for understanding how the world works. Your teen will develop the ability to think critically about real-world issues using analytical tools drawn from both microeconomics and macroeconomics.
In addition to the content knowledge your teen will develop, they will also strengthen their abilities in data analysis, logical reasoning, and informed decision-making. They will learn how markets function, how governments influence economic outcomes, and how individual choices connect to broader societal trends. Students will learn how to identify competing perspectives on economic policy and develop intellectual independence that will assist them with interpreting current events and making thoughtful personal and professional decisions.
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Class Structure and Homework:
• Student & Parent Involvement: The course meets live weekly for an hour, with 1.5-4 hours of homework each week. The majority of the homework consists of reading the assigned text(s) and/or watching videos. Parents are welcome to join the online Google Classroom as students to review assignments and support their teens. In each session, we discuss the concepts, review the reading, work on any problems and guide students through their homework.
• Supporting Different Learning Styles: Whether your teen is a visual, hands-on, or auditory learner, we work to accommodate their learning preferences. Parents are encouraged to share insights into their teen’s learning style, helping us tailor assignments to best suit their needs.
Upon registration, students and parents will be provided with a Google Classroom link to join. Class materials and assignments will be posted directly to Classroom, and students may communicate with each other through this platform. Students may communicate with the instructor through Classroom and student inquiries are usually addressed as quickly as possible between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET. Student inquiries made on the day of class may be addressed in class instead of through Classroom.
NOTE: Upon request and where warranted by the student’s level of performance and academic achievement, the instructor may agree to provide a letter of recommendation to potential employers, colleges, etc. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should be submitted with as much advance notice as possible.
Course Materials:
• OpenStax Economics Textbook (free): covering everything from budgeting to wealth accumulation. Available online in PDF format.
• Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• Additional resources: Podcasts, videos, and articles from trusted sources, including NPR’s Planet Money.