The Economic Way of Thinking
What you’ll learn
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Understand the economic way of thinking
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Progress to higher level study of economics
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Understand concepts such as marginal benefits and costs, and how markets and government work
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Critically analyse and create economic policy
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Develop insights into key economic debates, including Austrian and Public Choice criticism of mainstream economics
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Understand the moral and ethical component of economic decision making
Economics is about choices and trade-offs in a world of scarcity. This course will help you understand the economic way of thinking at a deep level, with an emphasis on human action and choice and with an ethical underpinning. The mainstream view will be challenged through the lens of Austrian and Public Choice economic theories.
An economic decision is any choice that involves perceived costs and benefits of any kind (not only of the financial kind) which may accrue to ourselves or to others. As such we are all economic actors and must make economic choices on a daily basis. As ethically aware people, we must examine our choices carefully, in line with our guiding values. As economists, we must examine the secondary and unintended consequences of any action, not just good intentions.
The course is suitable for students wanting to progress in economics, or for anybody who wants to understand the economic way of thinking, for use in private and professional life.
This series is produced especially for video, and consists of 12 sessions, each divided into between 4 to 8 modules. The course was developed for use in a first year, one semester principles of economics unit. The companion text book is Heyne, Boettke and Prychitko (2014) The Economic Way of Thinking 13e, published by Pearson Education. The text is not essential but is a useful resource.
Some recent student feedback:
“One of the best course I have enrolled in. The instructor is very knowledgeable and is exceptional in portraying a clear picture of the philosophy behind economic theory, that too in a clear and concise way. Money well spent.”
“This is such a great course! It’s intellectually stimulating and engaging. It includes multiple links to outside resources. Overall, it’s a great value if you are interested in acquiring a solid understanding of economics. Thank you!”
Who this course is for:
- Students who want to learn principles of economics at university level
- People who want a different perspective on economics, emphasizing the role of entrepreneurship and free voluntary interaction between people
- Home educated students
Ruth Wilson –
Clear, in depth and practical explanations.
Interesting way of teach economics.
Andrew Pfeifer –
An exceptionally helpful and detailed course that teaches the foundations of economics in a logically coherent manner. .
Ethan D –
Mark sets the content out in a very logical way and delivers the material clearly.
Darius Jankowski –
This is such a great course! It’s intellectually stimulating and engaging. It includes multiple links to outside resources.
Overall, it’s a great value if you are interested in acquiring a solid understanding of economics. Thank you!
Supriyo Banerjee –
One of the best course I have enrolled in. The instructor is very knowledgeable and is exceptional in portraying a clear picture of the philosophy behind economic theory, that too in a clear and concise way.
Money well spent.
Paul Despard –
Thoroughly enjoyed this course – went into great depth.
Jarrah Watkinson –
I learnt so much from this course, and now understand economics to a level where I can critically appraise many government policies. The presenter was very clear in their explanations and used good examples. I found most of the topics very interesting.
Frances An –
I have never done economics before. This is a great crash course for foundational knowledge.
Jake McCoull –
Great course! very informative, easy to understand and well paced course. I feel that my perception and thinking of economics has improved significantly.
Larisa Jacono –
Thank you so much Mark! I really enjoyed the course and your accessible way of teaching