SLMS Economist

Welcome Students

Relax. Take a deep breath. You're going to be an economist for about 18 weeks. Five events take place every week in class, EduStock, Guerrilla Economist Project, Round-Table Discussion, Media Center, and Socratic Seminar. This posting will stay at the top of the blog for a few weeks...(Read more...)

Edustock Essay

Here is a sample report for the EduStock Project essay section.

 

Download sample_edustock_essay

Unemployment Sounds Warning About Economy

Economists viewed a surge in unemployment as the most powerful sign to date of a possible recessionary downturn. Read the following article from the New York Times, then comment in a a few sentences about what you believe is the solution in preventing an economic recession, or if it's inevitable. Either way, make numerous references to the article. [10 bonus points possible]

Read "Unemployment Sounds Warning About Economy"

The Free Market: A False Idol After All?

If the market economy working for all Americans, or for only a select few? Do American's need additional protections from the horrors of a free market, like regulations, or should we just accept the ups and downs of the business cycle?

What do think? After reading this article, draw a conclusion by referencing your opinion with facts from the article. 10 BONUS points possible.

The Free Market: A False Idol After All?

How is Your Holiday Break Going?

Admit it, you're bored out of your mind about now. Economics class is looking pretty good, right. Tell us how your holiday break is going - include all the details, thus making another fellow students's break seem less boring.

P.S. I got an XBox!

Are We in a Recession?

Are we? Six economists briefly give their differing opinions on the condition of our economy today. Read a couple of their opinions and form your own. In a paragraph, state three reasons why either you believe our economy is in recession or not, and make reference to the articles. BONUS 5pts available. NOTE: As you read the articles, and you encounter difficult vocabulary, simply double-click the word for a definition and pronouncement.

Are We in a Recession? New York Times

PPP Chapter 19-20

Click on the link for either chapter 19, or 20.

If you have any questions please email me your questions.

Download civ_ch19.ppt

Download civ_ch20.ppt

China - Choking on Growth, Part 3

During seminar, we are going to discuss the opportunity cost involved in China's rocketing economic growth. Here you will read and see what unbridled Capitalism looks like, it's danger, and the affect of our own living standard. The link below will take you to the site used during seminar in the library. Bring two questions to seminar that you want to discuss.

China - Choking on Growth, Part 3

RECESSION: Trying to Guess What Happens Next

As the weeks pass by and retail sales predicts continue to be less rosier than forecasted, economic indicators are now being interpreted by the business market as bleak. Read the article on a possible economic ression and then comment on a series of economic events you would prescribe if you were the U.S. Treasurer or Chairperson of the Federal Reserve Bank (try to list at least 3 prescriptive events including a paragraph detailing how these events could make a difference. Think about the economic forecasting you accomplished in SimCity, it's the same type of stuff). 5 BONUS POINTS, or less.

Trying to Guess What Happens Next

Stocks & Bonds: Bargain Hunting on Wall Street

Making a profit buying and selling stocks this past month has been difficult - so you're not alone. Be it the financial problems of our lending institutions and subprime mortgages, to the housing slump, to consumer spending this holiday season [I am with many economists in predicting a stinking Xmas season for retail], to rising oil prices [$100 before 2008] making a buck in the stock market has been hard. The following article may give you a few ideas for investing this final quarter.

Additionally, if you post your opinions to the following comments a 5 pt BONUS is your's to keep. Answers are in the article Bargain Hunting on Wall Street

1. Of all the companies and markets mentioned in the article which ones do you believe will be worth the risk?
2. What are most economist predicting will happen to stocks in the near future?
3. List a few reasons why people are worried about the stock market, and broadly the U.S. economy?

Commanding Heights Film Series

A global economy, energized by technological change and unprecedented flows of people and money, collapses in the wake of a terrorist attack .... The year is 1914.

This film series will focus your learning on what is economic globalization, how did we get into our current economic condition, hope for the future, and finally, your role as a citizen in a free market economy and democracy call the United States.

This link will take you to the online site for Commanding Heights.

While you're here, post your opinion concerning any aspect of the film that your can remember to be interesting.

Seminar - Choking on Growth: Part II

Hundreds of feet below ground, the primary water source for this provincial capital of more than two million people is steadily running dry. The underground water table is sinking about four feet a year. Municipal wells have already drained two-thirds of the local groundwater.

Beneath Booming Cities article

Seminar - Choking on Growth: A series of articles and multimedia examining the China’s pollution crisis

The speed of China’s rise as an economic power is unprecedented, as is the scale of its environmental problems. In this week's seminar we are going to discussion the relationship between a growing GDP and the opportunity cost of those decisions China has made. Also, how will it affect our own U.S. economy.

Markets Soar After Fed Cuts Key Rate by a Half Point - But Why?

The Federal Reserve today lowered its benchmark interest rate by a half point, a forceful policy shift intended to limit the damage to the economy from the recent disorder in the housing and credit markets. Okay, so what? After reading the article "Markets Soar After Fed Cuts Key Rate by a Half Point" Why did the U.S Stock Market surge ahead over 335 points? What is the relationship between the actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve and the stock market? BONUS 5.

Blood Money?

Should you invest your money into companies that are suppling the goods and services to fight the war in Iraq? Some say it's okay, while others disagree. Read the article below, and post your opinions. BONUS applies.

A Stock Caught in the Iraq Debate

Japanese Wives Sweat as Market Reels

Japanese homemakers who moonlight as currency speculators have been hit hard by turmoil in the markets.

Japanese Wives Sweat as Market Reels

After reading the article above, give your opinion about how the global economy is treating those who invest.

Regulation...What is it?

Recently in class we discussed the economic idea of regulation. If you recall, economic systems such as market economies and command economies all have a degree of regulation in them. Remember, regulation is governments attempts at controlling the market, businesses and industries. I suggested to you that unregulated Capitalism is self-destructive, while too much regulation, command economy, is destructive as well. A balance is needed. Read the article from the New York Times concerning business and industries request for more, not less, regulation. Then post your opinions to the questions below for BONUS points.

Industries Seek U.S. Regulations

1. How can regulations help business/industry?
2. Normally at odds with regulatory actions, why have these enterprises asked for increased regulation?
3. How can too much regulation have an affect on our market economy in the US?