Discover the fundamentals of economics. How can we improve the world by studying choices in a world of scarcity?
Suggested by: Coursera (What is Coursera?)
No prior knowledge required
No unnecessary risks
This specialization is designed for anyone interested in developing a practical knowledge of economics. In three courses, we will cover the fundamental principles of economics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics, and aim to prepare you to analyze business decisions, various economic policies, and the benefits of global trade.
Will completing this internship make you the next Alan Greenspan, Janet Yellen, or Jay Powell? No, at least not right away, but it would be a great first step!
Through fun video lectures, short puzzles, discussions, and problem sets, we will examine how economics identifies the impact of opportunity costs on economic decisions.
Economics and economic theory are absolutely fundamental to decision-making in business, policy, and everyday life. Whether you are interested in a career in business, law, accounting, or investing, studying economics provides an excellent foundation of knowledge. In the first of three courses in my specialization, which builds on my ECON 100 course taken at Rice University, we will introduce you to the basic concepts of microeconomics and macroeconomics. In microeconomics, we will analyze supply and demand, consumer and market behavior, and competitive and noncompetitive market equilibrium, with applications to contemporary policy problems. In macroeconomics, we will review the determination of national output, employment, interest rates, and inflation, and analyze monetary and fiscal policy, as well as international trade.
Finally, I have a book I wrote that is suitable for this course and the other two in the specialization. You can purchase it here: Principles of Economics Book
In the second part of the three-course economics specialization, we will focus on microeconomics, or the business side of things. This course is also based on the ECON 100 course I teach here at Rice University. Through lectures, short quizzes, group work, and discussions, we will examine topics such as production costs, perfect competition, monopolies, monopolistic competition, oligopolies, and household choices. Plus, you will also get some unsolicited advice about food and cooking :) Although this course is for anyone interested in economics, we will occasionally use basic calculus. I recommend that you take the first course, “The Story of Economics: Get to Know Yourself,” before joining this course.
Come with me on a journey through the third and final course in this Economics 100 specialization, which is a direct match to one of the courses I teach at Rice University. In this course, we will focus on macroeconomics. What is macroeconomics, you may ask? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We will examine the big picture of economics – which is examining the measures we use to gauge the health of national economies and study the theories and policies aimed at improving economic health. In short, how can we use economics to improve the world? Through the course’s lectures, quizzes, discussions, and work groups, I hope you will be able to take a more critical look at economic news and gain a deeper understanding of the costs and benefits of economic policy. Finally, my hope is that you have been able to look at the world around you through the eyes of an economist.
