Today I am sharing with you the Boundary Stone Basic Economics Homeschool Course for High School Homeschoolers. The Economics Self-Paced Online Course Bundle by Boundary Stone offers you a comprehensive and self-paced learning experience in the fascinating world of economics! Immerse yourself in the semester-long Basic Economics course, which includes a hardback textbook titled “Basic Economics: A Natural Law Approach to Economics, Fourth Edition,” 12 months of online course access, a 128-page PDF teacher’s guide, and even access to a Budget Mini Course. This economics course, designed for 11th-12th grades, embraces conservative free-market and limited government principles while recognizing our country’s Judeo-Christian roots.
The course equips students with the knowledge and principles to counter liberal college professors’ teachings, understand and defend free markets, recognize the influence of natural law on the constitution, and comprehend the history of successful and failed policy implementations. It also explores the weaknesses of socialism, examines the consequences of poor decisions, and evaluates policy proposals for human flourishing. Students gain a clear understanding of rights, the importance of morality based on Judeo-Christian principles, and the historical context of politico-economic systems leading to the rise of free markets.
So, what are the benefits of this course?
- Self-paced learning
- Clearly laid-out lesson list
- Customizable grading spreadsheet
- Minimal oversight for independent students
- Flexibility to accommodate unique situations.
What is included?
- Basic Economics 4th edition hardback textbook
- 128-page PDF Teacher’s Guide
- Student and teacher access to the online course and budget mini-course that uses the textbook as the core material, providing reading materials, videos, assignments, and quizzes.
- The publisher’s website also offers a free optional Budget Project mini-course, which helps students learn about financial responsibility and planning.
This course covers a wide range of economics topics, including markets, supply and demand, scarcity, monopoly and competition, and the stock market. It also delves into personally applicable subjects such as rent, wages, savings, investments, interest, and home-based businesses, which are often overlooked in other economics textbooks/programs.
Economics holds immense importance in our lives. As the study of the thrifty use of scarce resources to satisfy human wants, it helps us comprehend the world around us and make informed decisions. What sets this course apart is its in-depth exploration of the history of economics, different economic schools of thought, government actions and their effects, the morality of economics, and international economics. It extensively addresses the relationship between society and morality, examining the Judeo-Christian roots of free markets, moral absolutes versus moral positivism, and utilitarianism. The course also explores various politico-economic systems, such as manorial feudalism, mercantilism, free enterprise, corporatism, welfarism, and communism. It offers a nuanced approach to capitalism, highlighting that it can be influenced by government intervention to the detriment of other market competitors.
In a year filled with unexpected challenges, studying economics couldn’t be more relevant. From shortages to supply and demand, the current global situation provides a unique context for exploring the principles of economics and their impact on our daily lives.
Thomas Sowell aptly said, “The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.” This course lets you unravel the intricacies of economics and gain a deeper understanding of our world.
This course reflects a Christian worldview and incorporates viewpoints from the Austrian school of economics, which emphasizes free enterprise and limited government. For example, it references the Ten Commandments’ prohibitions against stealing and coveting as the basis of property rights, reflecting the Christian perspective. It also critiques the New Deal from an Austrian School viewpoint, viewing it as an unconstitutional expansion of government power.
Each chapter includes a study guide with a variety of components. The study guide features chapter summaries, key points to remember, comprehension and analysis questions for discussion or written responses, definitions and explanations of keywords, terms, and names, and suggested activities that involve independent and interactive projects. Additionally, each study guide includes at least one debatable question that can be used for debate or written position papers. Recommended reading suggestions are provided at the end of most chapter study guides.
For each textbook chapter, students are required to write definitions, answer review questions, and prepare a position paper, which need to be checked by a parent or teacher using the provided teacher’s guide. The teacher’s guide is included in the online course bundle for homeschoolers.
The online course spans a semester and includes daily assignments, videos, links to external websites, and built-in quizzes and tests completed online. The course also incorporates additional readings of The Law by Frederic Bastiat and Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? by Richard Maybury, which need to be obtained separately.
The online course features short videos presented by Dr. Paul Cleveland, one of the authors, as well as videos from sources like Prager University, the Foundation for Economic Education, the Acton Institute, and the Mises Institute. These videos supplement the textbook content and enhance the learning experience.
Plus, to complement the Basic Economics course, there is an optional Budget Project mini-course. This mini-course focuses on real-life budget applications, balancing the more philosophical aspects of the textbook. It can also be used as a standalone resource.
Throughout this supplemental mini course, you will embark on a captivating exploration of budgeting and its significance in our daily lives. We all face the reality of limited resources, and understanding how to allocate them wisely is crucial. Whether you’re a meticulous planner or embrace a more spontaneous approach, the choices you make about your finances will shape your future.
What will you learn?
- Discover overlooked expense categories when living independently
- Research realistic costs associated with essential expenses
- Understand the impact of income tax withholding on your take-home pay
- Explore the influence of paying off college debt and other financial obligations
- Learn the art of decision-making when it comes to spending your income
- Analyze the effect of different choices and priorities on your discretionary income
- Unveil the consequences of inadequate financial planning
- Determine the income required to support your desired lifestyle
In the budget mini course, you’ll have the opportunity to create two different budgets, each representing a different income level. Through online research, you’ll determine the average starting salary for a career you’re considering. The goal is to make informed choices that allow you to avoid debt and maintain a monthly expenditure lower than your total income.
In conclusion, Boundary Stone’s homeschool government and economics courses have been meticulously designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of these crucial subjects in just one semester each. The curriculum exposes students to practical principles and equips them with the skills to apply these principles to real-life decisions, offering valuable insights into present-day realities through historical examination.
When combined with Boundary Stone’s companion government bundle, the program offers flexibility with two one-semester courses that provide twelve-month access, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Whether each one is taken as an honors course or spread out over a year for a more thorough study, the curriculum offers substantial content to fulfill a full credit requirement. The self-paced structure accommodates individual learning styles, with 65-75 daily assignments (80-90 with the optional project mini-course) that encompass reading, review exercises, auto-graded quizzes and tests, as well as curated video resources that illustrate key concepts.
To support students and parents/teachers, Boundary Stone provides a comprehensive 125+ page PDF Teacher’s Guide. This resource includes study guide answers and course planning materials, streamlining the grading of written assignments. Online chapter quizzes and four comprehensive tests ensure ongoing assessment of students’ comprehension of key concepts.
Boundary Stone remains committed to delivering exceptional support to students through various channels, including email, chat, or phone assistance. The program also emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, dedicating one day each week to the optional Project Mini-course, which enables students to apply their knowledge in practical ways.
The economics course challenges students to enhance their financial literacy through a personal budget project, fostering essential skills for effective resource management.
Boundary Stone firmly believes in the significance of a comprehensive understanding of government and economics in shaping informed citizens and preparing students for their future endeavors. The combination of a comprehensive curriculum, self-paced learning, and a wealth of supportive resources ensures a rewarding and empowering educational journey. Students are invited to join Boundary Stone today and acquire the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate the complexities of economics.
Don’t miss this opportunity to study economics through the lens of biblical principles, as the course incorporates the Dominion Mandate and highlights the role of work in achieving a purpose. Discover the profound connection between economics and faith.
Enroll in the Economics Online Course Bundle now and embark on an eye-opening journey that will equip you with valuable knowledge and insights to navigate the complex economic landscape with confidence.
