Description
Book SynopsisEconomics is everywhere. It's in business. It's in government. It's in our personal lives. Now, this ground-breaking textbook supplement brings this reality to the classroom. The book uses both contemporary and classic film and literature to illustrate 33 fundamental concepts in introductory economics. Designed for use in introductory economics courses, the clearly organized text brings both sides of the lectern closer together through real-life illustration of economic concepts in such favorites as Jaws, Legally Blonde, Casablanca, The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, and The Da Vinci Code. Each economic topic is described and terms are defined. A plot synopsis of a film or book sets the stage for each discussion. Using a detailed scene description, the authors then show how the scene illustrates the concept under study. Classroom discussion and assignments are facilitated through a series of questions that probe deeper.
Trade ReviewUsing movie clips and fiction passages to illustrate economic principles is a terrific idea that really livens up the classroom. This approach will work very well. -- Bradley Schiller, professor of economics at American University, author of The Macro Economy Today and The Micro Economy Today
Economics in Film and Fiction is an intriguing and original supplement for the principles course. It should help pique student interest in economics and stimulate lively class discussion. -- Anthony Patrick O'Brien, professor of economics, Lehigh University; co-author of Macroeconomics
The authors have done a good job of developing economic applications that are part of most students' upbringing and therefore more interesting to them than the standard discussions of current economic events of no immediate relevance to them. A particularly good feature of the book is that it is self-contained with all clips and passages nicely summarized. -- William Holmes, Professor of Economics at Temple University
A Chinese proverb says "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." Economics in Film and Fiction is a wonderful teaching tool because students see economic concepts practiced in a familiar context through a medium they enjoy. They will remember and understand the ideas in a deeper and more permanent way. -- Larry Singell, professor of economics at the University of Oregon
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Part 2 General Topics Chapter 3 Rational Behavior and Economic Incentives Chapter 4 Scarcity, Choice, and Opportunity Cost Chapter 5 Markets Chapter 6 Supply and Demand Chapter 7 Specialization Chapter 8 Gains from Exchange Chapter 9 Prices Part 10 Microeconomic Topics Chapter 11 Price Elasticity Chapter 12 Consumption Chapter 13 Production Chapter 14 Costs Chapter 15 Profits Chapter 16 Efficiency, Productivity, and Innovation Chapter 17 Property Rights and the Rule of Law Chapter 18 Externalities Chapter 19 Firms Chapter 20 Perfect Competition and Monopolistic Competition Chapter 21 Monopoly and Oligopoly Part 22 Macroeconomic Topics Chapter 23 Economic Growth Chapter 24 Business Cycle Chapter 25 Capital and Investment Chapter 26 Human Capital Chapter 27 Entrepreneurs Chapter 28 Inflation Chapter 29 Employment Chapter 30 Personal Income Chapter 31 Money Chapter 32 Banking Chapter 33 Government Revenue and Expenditure Chapter 34 Government Intervention Chapter 35 Inequality and Poverty Chapter 36 Globalization Chapter 37 Command Economies
