Introduction

This course will look at historical and recent economic evens which have impacted the world, both locally and globally. Overall trends will be considered and a number of case studies will be used to provide insight into the many factors causing economic success and failure.

Teaching Goal

Students will become familiar with concepts related to macroeconomics and see long and short-term patterns and events. They will be encouraged to use critical and rational thinking to think of ways to prevent economic disasters and promote long-term success – and to see the complexity and fortune that thwart such thinking.

Syllabus

1. Introduction and patterns: concepts needed to understand economic measures and trends will be introduced with models and examples to illustrate them including consideration of why some places are wealthy and some are poor.

2. Boom: historical examples of economic wealth, both long and short term

3. Bust: historical burst bubbles, recessions, and depressions.

4. Rising economies: modern examples of fast growing economies, especially those which rise from poverty to prosperity, including several East Asian examples.

5. Recent crises: including Asian crises in the 90s and the global recession of 2008-12.

Sean Malcon – Summer school class outlines

Education: Received Bachelors in History from Victoria University of Wellington, Honours from Waikato University, Graduate Teaching Diploma from Auckland College of Education, Masters in TESOL from Victoria University of Wellington, and Graduate Business Diploma from the Waikato Polytechnic.

Work Experience: Teaching experience of 15 years teaching History, Geography,  English and EFL at St Peter’s College in Auckland, YBM-Sisa schools in South Korea, Shanghai Korean School, Donghua University, Kaiser University (Shanghai), and European Union Education Foundation, as well as #2 HS of East China Normal University for the last three years.