Online Graduate Courses
Economic Education for Teachers
Location: Online via the Internet
Times: No specific time of day requirements
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Register for all, or pick and choose the ones that meet your needs.
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Target Audience
These courses are designed for high school teachers who are interested in becoming certified to teach economics as well as middle and high school teachers who would like to initiate or expand coverage of economic content and issues in their classes. To participate in an online class, you much have access to the internet and have an email address that you use on a regular basis.
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Why Take These Economics Courses?
There are two driving forces behind these graduate-level course offerings. The first is an urgent need to replace well-trained economics teachers who are retiring with qualified teachers available in their own schools. Given the tight budgets in many Wisconsin school districts, some administrators have chosen to drop well-established economics courses after the instructor retires. One way to attack this problem is to provide training for teachers from other disciplines, such as Social Studies and Business Education, who wish to get certified to teach economics. The second factor is the new emphasis on personal finance education in Wisconsin . Here again, some teachers will need additional training and coursework.
EconomicsWisconsin and the directors at the eight affiliated centers across the state have the resources and academic background to provide Wisconsin teachers with the necessary tools to prepare them to meet this challenge. These on-line courses can be used as part of an educator's Professional Development Plan (PI 34) or simply to expand the teacher's knowledge of economic issues and financial concepts. Curriculum in these courses will be coordinated with the Wisconsin Academic Standards in Economics at grades 4, 8, and 12, and will emphasize instructional resources available via the Internet.
If you have very little formal economics training, we recommend that you start with the 3-credit Basic Economic Concepts and Issues course. However, this is not a prerequisite for taking any of the 1-credit special topics courses. Over the five-semester sequence, teachers should be able to complete 6-12 credits toward their certification requirements for teaching economics or personal finance. For a list of requirements for economic certification from various Wisconsin universities and colleges, please click here.
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Cost
Courses are offered for graduate credit through Extension Departments at UW Oshkosh, therefore you will be charged the current UW graduate student rate.
2009 Tuition Rates:
$357 per one graduate credit (without
segregated fees)
In addition to tuition and fees, you may be required to purchase textbooks. Contact the course instructor for a list of required readings.
Fall 2009 rates to be annnounced.
A limited number of scholarships are available. Click here for more information.
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Fall 2009 -
Basic Economic Concepts and Issues
3 credits, 12 week course
Instr: Dr. Jim Grunloh
Course runs 9/21/09 to 12/11/09
Registration Deadline: 9/14/09
Direct questions about course content to Jim Grunloh
This course is designed for teachers who are interested in initiating or expanding coverage of economic concepts and issues in their classes.
It also provides a good starting point for teachers who want to expand their certification to include economics. Emphasis will be on instructional resources available on the Internet. Curriculum will be coordinated with the Wisconsin Academic Standards in Economics at grades 4, 8, and 12.
Financial Inovations, Asset Bubbles and Financial Crises
1 credit, 6 week course
Course runs 11/2 to 12/11/09
Registration Deadline: 10/26/09
Instr: Bill Duddleston
Direct questions about course content to Bill Duddleston
This course will provide an overview of financial panics over the past three hundred years and will focus on the underlying causes of financial panics that have been intricately interwoven with investment booms. Special attention will be paid to the current credit crisis. A fair amount of time will be spent on the Financial Crises that began with Long Term Capital Management in 1998 through the present set of crises: Bear Stearns, Lehman and AIG. The real focus will be on the Evolution of the Credit Default Swaps market.
Download Tenative Course Schedule
Please purchase the required text before class begins:
Fool's Gold: How the Bold Dream of a Small Tribe at J.P. Morgan Was Corrupted by Wall Street Greed and Unleashed a Catastrophe
Author: Gillian Tett
Published by Free Press
ISBN 13: 978 1-4165-9857-2
ebook version 978-1-4391-0075-2
Money and Banking
1 credit, 6 week course
Instr: Dr. Scott Niederjohn
Course runs 9/21/09 to 10/30/09
Registration Deadline: 9/14/09
Direct questions about course content to Scott Niederjohn
This course will examine the role of money and banking in the economy. Topics will include financial markets, banking, the Federal Reserve
System, monetary policy and interest rates. These topics will be linked to the economics standards. Council for Economic Education
curricular materials for teaching this information to K-12 students will be discussed.
Spring 2010
Additional Courses will be posted as they are confirmed.
Economics of Sports
1 credit, 6 week course
Instr: Dr. Norm Cloutier
Course runs:
March 29 – May 7, 2010
Registration Deadline: March 22, 2009
Direct questions about course content to Norm Cloutier
Sports examples are an excellent way to illustrate economic principles to students. Some of the topics covered in this course include the economics of player salaries, ticket prices and ticket scalping; pricing in the memorabilia market; and public financing of stadiums. The course will cover a number of practical ways you can apply basic economic principles you already know to major league sports. In addition, you will learn economic concepts that may be new to you and your students.
Finding and Interpreting Macroeconomic Data
1 credit, 6 week course
Instr. - Dr. Jim Grunloh
Course runs: 2/08/10 to 3/19/10
Registration Deadline: 2/1/10
Direct questions about course content to Jim Grunloh
How do we measure the performance of the U.S. economy? How do we measure GDP, inflation, unemployment and productivity? Who gathers this data? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the data? In this one-credit class we will discover how to access and interpret macro data and examine related lessons teachers can use with their students .
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y calling 920-424-2440.
Registration
Courses are offered through our Center for Economic Education (CEE) at UW Oshkosh. To register, please contact:
Deirdre Watts, Director
Center for Economic Education
College of Education
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh , WI 54901
Phone: (920) 424-2440
Fax: (920)-424-1734
E-mail
Fall Registration Deadlines:
For courses beginning Sept. 21st:
9/14/09
For courses beginning Oct. 26th:
10/19/09
For courses beginning Nov. 2nd: 10/26/09
Questions about course content should be directed to the instructor. Click on the instructor's name to send an email. Be sure to include the course name you are inquiring about.
A limited number of scholarships are available. Click here for more information.
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Course Catalog
Basic Economic Concepts and Issues (3 credits)
This course is designed for teachers who are interested in initiating or expanding coverage of economic concepts and issues in their classes. It also provides a good starting point for teachers who want to expand their certification to include economics. Emphasis will be on instructional resources available on the Internet. Curriculum will be coordinated with the Wisconsin Academic Standards in Economics at grades 4, 8, and 12.
Economics and Children's Literature, (1 credit)
Elementary level teachers will learn how to introduce their students to economics in a fun and interesting way, by using popular children's stories. This course gives teachers ideas on how to educate their students about basic economic concepts, such as scarcity, opportunity cost, costs and benefits, trade, and decision-making. Popular children's stories will provide the foundation for developing an “economic way of thinking”. Participants will receive sample lesson plans and be able to develop their own materials to accompany books they are already using in their classrooms.
Economics for the Elementary Classroom (1 credit)
An overview of basic economic concepts, including scarcity, opportunity cost, production, consumption, and financial decision making. Emphasis will be placed on lessons that incorporate these topics into elementary subjects, such as mathematics and reading. Teaching materials will be reviewed and lessons plans will be developed.
Economics of Government Decision Making, (1 credit)
This class will focus on the role of government in a market economy and participants will use basic economic principles to evaluate the efficiency of government decision-making. Participants will receive a package of active-learning lesson plans that are designed to simulate government decision-making and also identify electronic resources on the Web available for teachers teaching about government and its role in our economy.
Economics of Sports (1 credit)
Sports examples are an excellent way to illustrate economic principles to students. Some of the topics covered in this course include the economics of player salaries, ticket prices and ticket scalping; pricing in the memorabilia market; and public financing of stadiums. The course will cover a number of practical ways you can apply basic economic principles you already know to major league sports. In addition, you will learn economic concepts that may be new to you and your students.
Energy and the Economy (1 credit)
Energy demand and supply are important concerns for the United States . This course will focus on the availability of both traditional and alternative energy sources. It will also examine the impact of energy policy decisions on the U.S. and global economies. Teaching and learning resources are appropriate for middle and high school students and some are available via the Internet. Course material and activities are correlated with the Wisconsin Academics Standards in economics for grades 8 and 12.
Environmental Economics Pedagogy (1 credit)
This one-credit online graduate course will provide middle and high school teachers with an economic conceptual framework for analyzing environmental issues in their classroom. National and state economic and environmental education standards explicitly recognize the connection between economics and the environment. Economic content standards emphasize the importance of developing decision-making skills and the understanding of economic approaches to improving the environment. This course will help teachers move beyond the starting point of a general concern for the environment, to an appreciation of how economics can be used to gain insight into the causes of environmental problems and how economic analysis can help in the development of effective and efficient environmental policy.
The Federal Reserve and Economic Policy (1 credit)
The Federal Reserve Bank plays an important role in determining economic policy for the United States. This course will focus on how the Fed determines and conducts policy as well as the new and expanded role the Fed is playing in the current economic crisis. We will also spend time discussing the history of the Fed, including its role in the Great Depression. Teaching and learning resources are appropriate for middle and high school students and some are available via the Internet. Course material and activities are correlated with the Wisconsin Academics Standards in economics for grades 8 and 12.
Financial Inovations, Asset Bubbles and Financial Crises (1 credit)
An overview of financial panics over the past three hundred years. The main focus of the course will be the underlying causes of financial panics that have been intricately interwoven with investment booms. Special attention will be paid to the current credit crisis.
Finding and Interpreting Macroeconomic Data (1 credit)
How do we measure the performance of the U.S. economy? How do we measure GDP, inflation, unemployment and productivity? Who gathers this data? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the data? In this one-credit class we will discover how to access and interpret macro data and examine related lessons teachers can use with their students .
The Global Economy (1 credit)
Students will examine the contemporary international economy and discuss international economic relations including exports, imports, foreign investment, currency markets, immigration, government policies, international organizations, and anti-trade protest movements. The course emphasizes who wins and who loses as the world economy becomes more integrated. This course includes teaching and learning resources appropriate for middle and high school students and available via the Internet. Course material and activities are related to the Wisconsin Academic Standards in economics for grades 8 and 12.
Great Economists of the Past and Present (1 credit)
An examination of the ideas of leading economists from different historical periods, and the way economic theories influenced events and shaped public opinion. Analysis of the major ideas of Adam Smith, Thomas Robert Malthus, David Ricardo, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes. Introduction to the lives and work of recent Nobel Prize winners in economics.
Health Care Economics (1credit)
This course will examine the supply and demand for health care, including the impacts of health insurance. Efficiency in the health care market will be analyzed, including physician behavior, hospital performance and new modes of health care delivery. Teaching and learning resources are appropriate for middle school and high school students and some are available via the Internet. Course material and activities are correlated with the Wisconsin Academic Standards in economics for grades 8 and 12.
History of Financial Innovations, Panics, and Speculative Bubbles ( 1 credit)
An examination of the history of turbulent financial markets with emphasis on unusual episodes described as panics, bubbles, and crazes. Discussion of the relevance of these fascinating historical cases to the contemporary financial world. Consideration of the role of government in regulating these markets.
How “Public is Public Finance?” (1 credit)
This course covers issues relating to public policy-making, including government spending, entitlement programs, and revenue sources (taxes, fees, etc.). Teaching and learning resources are appropriate for middle school and high school students and some are available via the Internet. Course material and activities are correlated with the Wisconsin Academic Standards in economics for grades 8 and 12.
Introduction to Financial Markets (1 credit)
This class will prepare participants to introduce students to the world of investing, its benefits and risks, and the critical role it plays in fostering capital formation and job creation in our market economy. The class will use Learning, Earning and Investing as a source of lessons on the language of the financial markets and the role of financial institutions. There are active learning lessons on stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. This class will be particularly helpful for teachers participating in EconomicsWisconsin's Stock Market Game.
Mathematics and Economics (1 credit)
This course is designed for middle school and high school teachers who are interested in lessons that apply mathematical concepts and processes to the study of economics and personal finance. Topics to be covered include: Ratios & Percentages, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Problem Solving, and Data Analysis & Probability. No previous economics training is required . Course material and activities are correlated with the Wisconsin Academic Standards in mathematics and economics for grades 8 and 12.
Money and Banking (1 credit)
This course will examine the role of money and banking in the economy. Topics will include financial markets, banking, the Federal Reserve
System, monetary policy and interest rates. These topics will be linked to the economics standards. Council for Economic Education
curricular materials for teaching this information to K-12 students will be discussed.
Personal Finance Economics (1 credit)
A recent national poll indicated that an alarmingly high percentage of high school graduates and adults are simply not prepared for making sound decisions on a whole range of personal finance issues. Participants in this course will study the most important things to know on twenty personal finance topics ranging from the basics of banking and saving, investing, controlling debt, hiring financial help, and dealing with insurance issues. They will also have the opportunity to examine teaching materials on personal decision-making developed by the National Council on Economic Education.
Personal Investing and Financial Markets (1 credit)
An examination of the principles, strategies, and pitfalls of personal investing. Analyzing the risk vs. reward tradeoff. Discussion of the role of banks and financial markets in our economy. Consideration of the impact of government regulations on investors, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions.
The Roaring 20s through the Great Depression (1 credit)
Students will review the transformation of the American economy in the post-World War I era; discuss the investment boom in the 1920's, which was followed by the collapse of the American economy in the 1930's; and explore the role of the Federal Reserve, the collapse of world trade, and Roosevelt's New Deal. This course includes teaching and learning resources appropriate for middle school and high school students and available via the Internet. Course material and activities are related to the Wisconsin Academic Standards in economics for grades 8 and 12.
Transition to Market Economies (1 credit)
The course will look at the path that former Communist nations are following as they make the transition to market economies. Case studies of Russia , Ukraine , Poland and others as they struggle with issues such as inflation, unemployment, declining standard of living, currency depreciation, private ownership, price deregulation, bank failures, and the appropriate role of government are reviewed. This course includes teaching and learning resources appropriate for middle school and high school students and available via the Internet. Course material and activities are related to the Wisconsin Academic Standards in economics for grades 8 and 12.
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EconomicsWisconsin
Wisconsin Council on Economic Education
7635 W. Bluemound Road, Suite 106
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 221-9400
Fax (414) 221-9790
EconEd@EconomicsWisconsin.org
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