Chabot College
Fall 2003
Course Outline for Economics 10
GENERAL ECONOMICS
Catalog Description:
10- General Economics
3 units
Survey of the economic system of the United States, covering such macroeconomic and
microeconomic topics as supply and demand, firms’ output and pricing decisions,
international trade, comparative economic systems, economic growth, business cycles,
fiscal and monetary policy, labor, and money and banking. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
identify the basic principles which govern the process of production and
distribution in all economic systems;
analyze the essential elements in the operation of the market system, in theory and
in practice;
evaluate the evolution of the U.S. economic system within a historical context;
identify the issues, problems and challenges which historically and currently have
characterized the U.S. economy.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction and Historical Survey
a.
What is Economics?
b.
Historical origins of capitalism
c.
Theory of pure capitalism
d.
The Industrial Revolution
e.
Essentials of American growth
Income, Employment and Stability
a.
measuring economic activity (GNP and GDP)
b.
growth, stability and full employment
c.
income distribution and theory of income determination
Policies to Achieve Growth and Stability
a.
essentials of money and banking
b.
monetary policy
c.
role of government and fiscal policy
Essentials of Supply and Demand
Chabot College
Course Outline for Economics 10
Fall 2003
Page 2
Course Content Cont’d:
4.
5.
6.
Problems Within the American Economy
a.
income distribution and poverty
b.
business organization problems and policies
c.
agricultural problems and policies
d.
labor relations and problems
Growth and Stability in the World Economy
a.
history and logic of international trade
b.
survey of economic systems
c.
economic development
d.
current problems and prospects for the future
Implications for the Individual Citizen in Confronting Current Domestic and
World Economic Problems and Issues
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
Lecture-discussion
Student participation
Audio-visual aids
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
2.
Typical Assignments:
a.
Written and oral student responses to questions from periodicals (e.g. Wall
Street Journal)
b.
Test preparation exercise (e.g. true false pretests
c.
Group projects
d.
Field trips (e.g. Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco)
e.
Written and oral student responses to questions based on video
documentaries
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
a.
Exams and quizzes
b.
Homework
c.
Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Introductory Economics, Gordon & Dawson, Heath Publsiher, 2001, or latest edition.
Special Student Materials:
None.
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Revised 10-24-2002