Understanding Economics is for Everyone

sample lesson plan

• level: advanced

• type: content class

Summary

Economics is too important to be left to the 'experts'. In order for a democracy to function and for its citizens to make informed decisions on economic issues, they must first understand economics.

This class will use a series of video lectures given by Cambridge University professor of economics Ha-Joon Chang. These lectures give a broad and critical understanding of economics. This class is ideal for both people who have never taken a class on economics and students who have studied economics in university. Everyone is guaranteed to learn something new.

A description of the lecture series from their YouTube page: In the new series “Economics For People” from the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET), University of Cambridge economist and bestselling author Ha-Joon Chang explains key concepts in economics, empowering anyone to hold their government, society, and economy accountable.

An introductory trailer: https://youtu.be/qaNTRFOkp0Q

Class format

Before each class, students will be assigned a video lecture to watch, usually 30 minutes in length. In class, we will discuss the contents of the lecture and connect it to current events, both local and global. By the end of the course, students will have a general background in economics and how to critique mainstream economics.

Topics covered in the first course:

• The Nature of Economics

• Economics is Political

• Globalization and Neoliberalism

• The Individual

• Economics and the Climate Crisis

• Why are some countries rich and some countries poor?

Student expectation

This class is ideal for both people who have never taken a class on economics and students who have studied economics in university. Everyone is guaranteed to learn something new.