Program Focus

This course introduces students to the core principles of economics as taught in first-year university economics courses. The program focuses on how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions under constraints, and how these decisions shape markets, institutions, and broader economic outcomes. Students will learn how economists think: how to analyze trade-offs, understand incentives, and apply simple economic models to explain real-world phenomena. Economic theory is consistently connected to everyday examples, making abstract concepts intuitive and relevant. The course emphasizes logical reasoning and economic intuition rather than advanced mathematics, making it well-suited for students encountering economics for the first time. Key topics include: • Supply and demand, and market equilibrium • Incentives and decision-making • Consumer and firm behavior • Market efficiency and market failures • Introduction to macroeconomic concepts such as growth, inflation, and unemployment • Applying economic reasoning to real-world issues and policy debates