The introduction of the concept of network effects is useful at the principles level to facilitate discussions of the determinants of monopoly, the need for standards in high-tech industries, and the general complexity of real-world competition. The author describes a demonstration and an extension that help students understand how consumers make…

Describes an online, securities market, research tool, called Borsa, to engage students in the exploration of asset pricing in microeconomics courses. Defines Borsa as related database files served on the Internet using a dedicated IP address. Discusses practical considerations in running the market. Offers questions that arise from using the…

Declares the use of dynamic models is increasing in macroeconomics. Explains how to introduce dynamic models to students whose technical skills are modest or varied. Chooses Malthus's Principle of Population as a natural context for introducing dynamic analysis because it provides a method for reviewing the mathematical tools and theoretical…

Describes a series of matrix choice games that illustrate for students the concepts of monopoly, shared monopoly, Cournot, Bertrand, and Stackelberg behavior given either perfect complements or perfect substitutes. Suggests that the use of the games also allows for student dialogue about international trade and price wars. (JEH)

Describes a teaching method to explain excess burden, a key concept in the public economics field. Demonstrates that changing any relevant variable has the same effect on excess burden when viewed as an area of a triangle under a demand curve or as the value of a mathematical formula. (JEH)

Presents a simple diagrammatic exposition of a pollution-permit market in which firms that generate pollution and consumers who are harmed by pollution are allowed to purchase permits at a single market price. Illustrates that the market equilibrium is efficient only if the endowment of permits is equal to the efficient level of pollution. (JEH)

Developed a simple computer program for the in-class simulation of the repeated prisoner's dilemma game with student-designed strategies. Describes the basic features of the software. Presents two examples using the program to teach the problems of cooperation among profit-maximizing agents. (JEH)

Presents a simple technique for teaching the Cournot model to first-year microeconomic students. Involves demonstrating, without the use of derivatives, that out of all rectangles with a common perimeter, the square has the greatest area. (RLH)

Describes a classroom game called the prisoner's dilemma that illustrates the conflict between social incentives to cooperate and private incentives to defect. Explains that it is a simple card game involving a large number of students. States that the students should be introduced to the real-world applications of the game. (CMK)

Describes a two-stage experiment where students play the role of farmers who must select one of four markets (corn, wheat, rice, or soybeans). Demonstrates the process leading to equilibrium in a multimarket setting. Includes an appendix with the farmer profit chart and homework exercises. (CMK)

Describes using song lyrics in undergraduate principles of economics courses to help the students learn economics. Discusses two music essay projects and includes examples of student responses. Addresses the benefits/costs and suggested refinements of the project. Includes references. (CMK)

Discusses four reasons why economic forecasting courses are important: (1) forecasting skills are in demand by businesses; (2) forecasters are in demand; (3) forecasting courses have positive externalities; (4) and forecasting provides a real-world context. Describes what should be taught in an economic forecasting course. (CMK)

Describes a classroom game that demonstrates to students that equilibria can occur naturally in order to encourage students to take unreasonable equilibria more seriously. Discusses the game, how to organize it in the classroom for a game theory course, and the results. (CMK)

Describes a one-semester economics course in which students assume the role of key figures in the development of economic thought, ranging from the mercantilists through the early neoclassicists. Structures class discussion thematically rather than chronologically, so characters are conversationally engaged in each class. (DSK)

Describes an international economics course in which the culminating activity is a simulated General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) conference. Discusses the simulation phases and their timing, as well as modifications for using the simulation in other international-economics settings. Presents student evaluations of the course. (DSK)