ECON 221 - Economics of Investing

5 Credits

Uses financial investing as a way of exploring basic economics, political economy and economic policy. Basic investment strategies and the effect of government policy on economic outcomes are explored.

Fees

Quarters Typically Offered

Designed to Serve Transfer students, economic majors, individuals interested in financial investing.
Active Date 2011-06-14

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 38
Contact Hours: Lecture 55 Lab 0 Field Studies 0 Clinical 0 Independent Studies 0
Total Contact Hours 55
Degree Distributions:
AA

Social Science Area I

Course Outline
1. Basic investing: different types of investments; debt; compounding; savings; where to look for information. 2. The stock and bond markets and how they work and don’t: history; regulation; who invests and why. 3. Measuring investments: earnings, debt, sales and book ratios; annual reports; analysts’ ratings; where to look for information. 4. Investment strategies: exploration of different approaches to investing such as buy-and-hold, market timing and dollar-cost averaging. 5. Basic economics and how it relates to investing: basic economic concepts such as supply and demand; transaction costs; productivity. 6. Economic policy and its effect on investing: fiscal policy; monetary policy; the roles of Congress and the federal government; impact of various types of government spending; regulation and deregulation. 7. Global markets: overseas investing; world trade policy and political and economic outcomes; WTO, World Bank and IMF; trade disputes.

Student Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate a basic understanding of financial investing.

Analyze how both global and domestic economic policies impact investing strategies and outcomes.

Demonstrate an understanding of the connections between global trade issues and investing strategies and outcomes.