ECON 215: Economics of Social Problems

Unpack the primary subdivisions of economics: Microeconomics, centered on individual economic agents, and Macroeconomics, which looks at broader economic trends. Understand the core differences and inherent connections between these two fields. Explore real-world examples to comprehend their implications.

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.

Discover the pivotal role of assumptions in economics as we navigate the challenges of studying intricate market behaviors and human actions. Unveil how these simplifications foster comprehensive economic analyses and predictions.

Distinguish between positive and normative economic statements with real-world examples. Grasp the difference between objective explanations and value judgments in economics. Master the foundations of economic thought and their application.

This video explains the theory of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in economics, emphasizing how it relies on the "law of one price" and illustrating how exchange rates should adjust to equalize purchasing power between nations in the long run. It also demonstrates how price disparities for products like iPhones can lead to currency exchange rate adjustments and eventually equalized prices.

This video explores urban utility curves, workforce dynamics, and the impact of creating new cities on growth and equilibrium, with a focus on the utility of workers.