Describes a two-stage experiment where students play the role of farmers who must select one of four markets (corn, wheat, rice, or soybeans). Demonstrates the process leading to equilibrium in a multimarket setting. Includes an appendix with the farmer profit chart and homework exercises. (CMK)

Outlines principles that guide a successful undergraduate economics honors program: simplicity, accessibility, skill development, risk minimization, and incentives to combat procrastination. Describes a model which specifies three of the usual six electives and requires a senior thesis that makes an original contribution to economics…

Describes a classroom game that demonstrates to students that equilibria can occur naturally in order to encourage students to take unreasonable equilibria more seriously. Discusses the game, how to organize it in the classroom for a game theory course, and the results. (CMK)

Focuses on the IS-LM model providing a graphical analysis designed to clarify the confusion induced by misleading statements in several major macroeconomics textbooks concerning the connection between policy effectiveness and the slopes of the IS and LM curves. Includes references. (CMK)

Discusses the use of active learning within economics focusing on moot courts. Explains how moot courts fit into economics and presents examples of how moot courts can be used within law and economics, history of economic thought, and environmental economics courses. Highlights student perceptions of moot courts. Includes a bibliography. (CMK)

Advocates the supplemental use of trade books with textbooks in introductory economics courses. States that students will learn how economists approach economic issues in the real world, building upon the organized textbook presentation of material. Acknowledging that textbooks are essential to instruction, Hansen lists several appropriate works…

Argues that microeconomics principles courses are structured around an approach to policy that avoids many controversial but central policy issues including: the interplay of moral issues and efficiency; questions of consumer sovereignty; and questions of the interrelation between measures of efficiency and income distribution. Suggests a dual…

Examines how much time is spent in economics and management sciences programs; how much time is allocated among different courses within programs; what common thematic denominators exist; and whether and in what way content in microeconomics and macroeconomics courses differs. (RLH)

Provides classroom activities to enable students to learn about the economics of auctions. Explains that the students complete a written assignment listing products that are sold at auctions and participate in a classroom discussion. Includes ideas following the discussion, such as the alternative hypothesis strategy, housing auctions, and…

Presents the results from a survey, of alumni who majored in economics at Davidson College, designed to assess the value of the types of assigned writing in writing intensive (WI) economics courses. Describes the WI economics courses offered at Davidson College. Discusses implications of the survey results. (CMK)

Describes a classroom experiment in which students see how competitive markets underproduce in the presence of a positive externality. States that this experiment is used in a principles of economics course to introduce the idea of market failure. Explains that participants take the role of buyers of education, sellers of education, or interested…

Greater attention to the needs of students and to teaching methods is urged, and specific suggestions are given. (IM)

Describes using song lyrics in undergraduate principles of economics courses to help the students learn economics. Discusses two music essay projects and includes examples of student responses. Addresses the benefits/costs and suggested refinements of the project. Includes references. (CMK)

Describes an introductory economics course in which all of the reading material is drawn from the Great Books of Western Civilization. Explains the rationale and mechanics of the course. Includes an annotated course syllabus that details how the reading material relates to the lecture material. (RLH)

Focuses on the computer-based mapping tool called a geographic information system (GIS) that presents variations in economic indicators in thematic maps. Discusses thematic mapping benefits for students. Provides examples of thematic mapping in economics courses, addresses hardware and software requirements, and explains the process of creating…