Social Sciences Computer Center

 
Web Resources For Introductory Economics

General Economics

1. Economics USA
There are 28 videos in this series. Each video is about 30 minutes long and covers topics both in macro and microeconomics. The videos provide examples and analysis of these topics discussed and can be used as a very effective learning tool. The series is made in 1980s - so some of the examples may seem old, although some of the videos are updated. The site is essentially free but viewers need to create their own username and password.

2. Video Center from Krugman-Wells
This site consists of short video-clips. These are designed to accompany the textbook "Macroeconomics" by Paul Krugman and Robin Wells. You will need Flash to play these videos.

Macroeconomic Policy

Uncommon Knowledge
These are half-hour video-clips on several public policy issues done by Hoover Institution's Fellow Peter Robinson. Some of the interesting clips in this site are as follows:

Milton's Paradise Gained: Milton Friedman's advise for the next President (2000) Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman believed in free markets and minimal government intervention. In this video he discussed issues such as should there be tax cuts, how should education, healthcare and eldercare be funded and overtime will government expenditure as a percentage of GDP shrink or rise?

Economics and War(2001) discussion with economist Milton Friedman on the cost of the war on terrorism and the burden on the government

The Economy's New Clothes - discussion with Milton Friedman on whether the internet era of 2000 was merely a short term bull market or some kind of a long term prosperity.

Taking it to the Limit - discussion on "property rights"

The Bottomless Well - Are We Running Out of Energy? - is energy shortage going to be a problem or are there other sources of energy (solar, wind, nuclear) or is technological efficiency going to recue us from energy shortage?

Economic Growth and Development

1. HDR 2006 Launch Video:
This video from the Human Development Report of United Nations website can be used in conjunction with a Macroeconomics lesson on Economic Development. Students can see how water, sanitation, disease and education are all related to economic development.

2. Rethinking Poverty and Economic Development
Ted Talks consist of a list of videos on "rethinking poverty". Poverty cannot be irradiated by foreign grants and aids. A set of speakers put forward their own innovative ideas about poverty irradiation. Here are links to a couple of those videos.

The Power of Mobile Phone to End Poverty This is a talk by Iqbal Quadir who has introduced cell phones in rural Bangladesh and substantially added to the GDP of Bangladesh.
Investing in Africa's own Solution Jacqueline Novogratz talks about her experience of how micro-credit has changed the face of poverty in Africa and India.

Monetary Economics

The Fed Today - Video
Watch this short video to get a quick overview on the activities of the Federal Reserve Bank.

Have Fun!

Principles of Economics, translated
You can hear humorous representation of economic principles.

This site consists of short video-clips. These are designed to accompany the textbook "Macroeconomics" by Paul Krugman and Robin Wells. You will need Flash to play these videos.