IB Economics

Course Description

Grade(s): 11&12                        Level: IB SL or HL                      Credit(s): 2 in Social Studies

Prerequisite(s): None

Concurrent enrollment in an IB level mathematics class is recommended.

IB Economics is designed for motivated students with strong skills in analysis, quantification, and social science (history & politics). The goal of the course is to provide students with an understanding of how individuals,
organizations, societies and nations address the problem of infinite wants and finite resources. Students will develop an ability to evaluate economic theories, concepts, situations and data objectively. The first year, which is
the same course as the Introduction to Economics course, and Section I of the IB curriculum, includes fundamental concepts, vocabulary and “ways of thinking.” Most of the rest of the year focuses on Microeconomics (Section II), and the last term introduces Macroeconomics (Section III). The more high-paced second year reviews and amplifies Microeconomics, completes Macroeconomics, then focuses on Development and International Economics (Sections IV and V), before reviewing and practicing for the IB papers in May. During the 2-year sequence students
write 4 commentaries for the IB Internal Assessment. Enrollment in this sequence is limited.