ECON 305: Markets, Ethics and Capitalism

Explore the historical barter system and its challenges, particularly the double-coincidence of wants. Witness how the need for simpler transactions led societies from direct barter to embracing mediums of exchange like money.

Explore the intricacies of monopolies and price discrimination in the market. Unpack myths and truths about consumer behavior and pricing strategies. Real-life examples illuminate these fundamental economic concepts.

Understand the economic implications of "cost" and its relevance in daily decision-making. Learn about shoeleather costs, including its tangible and intangible components. Grasp how different scenarios impact these costs and ways to optimize them.

Explore the differences between the Four-firm Concentration Ratio and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. Understand how they assess market concentration and dominance. Get insights into market power dynamics by comparing these two indices.

Explore the dynamics of frictional unemployment in a constantly changing economy. Learn about government roles and strategies in mitigating its impacts. Understand how workforce transitions can be made smoother with informed interventions.

Explore the fundamental concept of scarcity in economics. Understand the tension between our infinite desires and the finite resources we have. Grasp how scarcity influences our choices, necessitating trade-offs in everyday decisions.