JA EconomicsJA Economics® is a one-semester course in which students learn the fundamental concepts of micro- macro-, and international economics and apply them in intellectually engaging ways.

The learning objectives listed beside each activity state the skills and knowledge the students will gain.

 

 

 

Topic: Pillars of the U.S. Economic System

Chapters 1 and 2 describe the basic economic problems and the nature of the free enterprise system.

 Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • describe how scarcity forces people to make choices and weigh opportunity costs
  • analyze how different economic systems solve basic economic problems
  • explain how voluntary exchange markets allocate resources
  • describe how money, goods, and services link households and business in the U.S. economy

Topic: Supply, Demand, Market Prices, and the Consumer

Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 describe the price system, illustrate how supply and demand interact to establish market prices and allocate resources, and explore consumer-related issues.

 Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • explain price effect
  • illustrate how changes in supply and demand affect market price
  • evaluate how markets meet consumer needs
  • describe the role of consumers
  • explain the function of credit
  • analyze saving, investing, and personal money management options

Topic: Theory and Operations of the Business Firm

Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 examine the role of entrepreneurs and how businesses are organized and financed, explore production, productivity, market structure, and marketing strategies.

 Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • compare and contrast different types of business organizations
  • describe the responsibilities, risks, and rewards of entrepreneurship
  • differentiate among types of business financing
  • describe factors that affect productivity
  • identify different market structures
Topic: Economic Institutions

Chapters 12, 13, and 14 examine the role of labor, governments, and the federal reserve banking system in the United States.

 Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • analyze the role of organized labor

  • describe government’s role in the economy

  • describe the role of banks and the functions of the Federal Reserve System

  • describe the phases of the business cycle

  • analyze fiscal and monetary policy options

  • evaluate the effectiveness of different economic policies

Topic: The Global Economy

Chapters 15 and 16 explore the costs and benefits of international trade, economic growth, and global economic issues for the 21st century.

 Key Learning Objectives

The students will

  • explain why nations trade goods and services

  • describe barriers to international trade

  • identify various economic challenges the global economy faces

  • analyze current economic problems

JA Economics® enhances students’ learning of the following concepts and skills:

Concepts – Advantage • Demand • Economic systems • Exchange rates • Fiscal policy • Government • GDP • Income distribution • Inflation • Investment • Labor • Markets • Opportunity costs • Productivity • Scarcity • Supply • Trade

Skills – Applying information • Classifying • Critical thinking • Decision making • Giving reports • Graphing • Interpreting data • Math computation • Reading • Research • Taking notes • Writing

All JA programs have technology enhancements and are designed to support the skills and competencies outlined in the SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) report. These programs also augment the school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives.

JA Economics® is a one-semester course and is recommended for students in grades 11 and 12. Instructional materials include textbooks and study guides. The Student Company® and JA TITAN School Edition are supplementary.