ECO 1930 - ECONOMICS AND FILM

credits: 3.0
Economics is interested in explaining the interactions of individuals and institutions around us. Films depict these same topics. By concurrently being introduced to concepts and topics within economics while watching film one can gain a better appreciation for the topics as well as develop a deeper understanding of the situations being depicted. Will survey fields of economics, introduce some of the main concepts of economics, and analyze specific situations-examples depicted in the films focusing on specific applications relevant to the US culture. Areas will cover are financial markets, conflict studies, the macro economy, labor, the environment, law, and industry. Objectives: A) Appreciate fundamental concepts in a variety of fields within economics including financial economics, labor economics, industrial organization, macroeconomic, conflict studies, environmental economics, and law and economics; B) Identify and critically analyze economic concepts and ideas within film and be able to apply them to other “real world” situations; C) Express ideas effectively both orally in discussions and debates in class as well as in written form through essays. Method of Instruction: The term will be broken up into eleven units. Each unit lasting two class periods. In one class period will watch a movie. In the other class period we will analyze, debate, and discuss the economic issues illustrated in the movie as well as the assigned readings. Method of Evaluation: For each unit each student is to write a paper reflecting on an assigned topic. There will be eleven papers in all. Each will be graded and assigned a score. Ten of the papers will be used to calculate the final grade (thus, each paper is worth 10% of the final grade). NOTE: Method of Evaluation may vary in the traditional Spring Term versus the Summer Term. Meets *WEP Distribution Requirement.