Offered at Stanford and Princeton

Can government policies stimulate a distressed economy? What impact do interest rates have on the average consumer, lenders and the credit market? How do tariffs affect global productivity? Designed as a survey of macroeconomics, this course begins with an introduction to the definitions, concepts and tools required for analysis of economics in our society. Case studies supplement lectures and class discussion. With a focus on the current global financial crisis, major topics include mechanisms of supply and demand, inflation and unemploy-ment, monetary and fiscal decision making, and international finance.

Student-run legislative debates  are the heart of Congressional Workshop, an academic exercise that is part of all classes. This experience serves as a practical demonstration of the academic curriculum. Beginner public speakers and expert debaters enjoy the rational discourse, peer-to-peer learning and witty repartee of JSA debate. As an interactive part of the coursework, participation is graded and constitutes a percentage of final course grades.

This college-level course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Exam in Macroeconomics. It is equivalent to a one-semester Advanced Placement course.