Basics of Economics for Non-Economists

Description and objectives of the course:

This crash course is designed to provide a basic foundation in economic thinking and to show the practical application of economic analysis to students with no prior knowledge of economic theory. The course consists of five modules that cover the most important topics in the main sections of the economy. The course will help you become familiar with the basic economic terms and principles of economic analysis and teach you how to apply them through practical exercises at the end of each module.

By the end of the course, students are expected to be:

understand the meaning of basic economic terms and their importance
analyze the level and sustainability of economic growth
distinguish between market structures, and find the relevant data needed

Course format

The course includes 5 modules. Modules consist of video lectures up to 15 minutes, verification tests for each section of the course, as well as assignments for self-fulfillment. The video is accompanied by a short synopsis and screenshots.

To proceed to the next module, you must pass the test of each module by at least 80%. Up to 10 attempts are allowed to pass the test, depending on the number of questions. If the limit of attempts is exhausted, the system is blocked and you need to register for the course again. In this regard, we strongly advise participants to re-read the course materials provided in the event of the first unsuccessful attempts to pass the test tasks.

If you wish, you can take the course again four times. Upon completion of the entire course, an electronic certificate is issued.

The course is designed for 4 weeks of study. The weekly load is from 2 to 4 hours, taking into account the implementation of practical tasks.

 
4 weeks
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What will you learn?

Basic economic terms and their meaning
Basic principles of economic analysis and market structures
Level and sustainability of economic growth

Program

  • Module 1. Introduction

    In one form or another, everyone has asked the question: what is the economy? Many think of economics as the science of money, stock markets, or trading. But is it really so? In the first module, we will define the meaning and purpose of economic analysis, and discuss what types of economic analysis exist.

  • Module 2. Initial macroeconomic analysis

    In the second module, we will introduce ourselves as potential investors and learn how to analyze a country's economic growth prospects. We will learn about the main components of economic growth, and how to assess the sustainability of growth. We will discuss what variables are used to measure the growth of a country's economy and what databases can be useful in looking up these variables.

  • Module 3. Export and trade

    In the third module, we will discuss the most common misconceptions in the interpretation of economic terms and dispel them. To what extent are politics and economics independent of each other? Does GDP growth lead to higher living standards? Is it true that economists make accurate forecasts?

  • Module 4. Stereotypes about the economy

    The content of the courseIn the fourth module, we will cover concepts such as specialization and international trade. How do countries decide what to produce and what to trade? How can you assess the level of economic cooperation between countries? Where can I find international trade data? is available in Russian

  • Module 5. Types of economic systems

    In the last fifth module, we will learn to distinguish between types of economic systems and how this affects the welfare of countries. We will also try to answer questions such as: why are some countries rich and others poor?

Instructors

Frequently asked questions

How to register for the course?
First you need to register on the site itself, then select the course that suits you from the “Courses” section and register for the course itself.
Will I receive a certificate after completing the course?
The certificate is received by those who have passed all the lessons within the course and passed the final test successfully (at least 80%).
What if I don’t pass the test?
After each module in the course there is an intermediate test and a general test at the end of the course. You are given 10 attempts to pass the test. If it fails from the first attempts, you can review the lesson and take the test again. After exhausting 10 attempts, the system will be blocked. You will need to register for the course again to complete it.
What to do if the site is down?
Write to us at the indicated contacts in the “Contacts” section or in social networks.
What should I do if my name on the certificate is different from the name in the passport?
When registering, initially enter your data correctly. If you have indicated other details, write to us. We will correct and send the certificate with the correct data.
Can I take several courses?
Yes. You can take several courses at once or in sequence.
How often are courses updated?
Courses that already exist are not updated. We add new courses after they are crated.
How to participate in your other events?
We conduct various training events for journalists and journalism students from Central Asian countries. You can track new events on our website or on pages on social networks and take part. Often you need to register or pass a competitive selection.
Can only residents of Central Asia take courses?
Online courses are available to absolutely everyone regardless of place of residence. Offline events take place in one of the CA countries.
I am not from the media sector, but I want to enroll in the course. Is it possible?
Yes, everyone can take online courses.
How long is the course?
The duration of each course is determined individually, depending on the content and complexity of the course. The average duration is from 6 to 8 weeks. During this period, you must complete all the lessons and pass the tests. If you didn’t finish on time, the system will be blocked. But you can overwrite and go through again.