Economics

Economics is offered as an option at Years 11, 12 and 13 at Hutt International Boys’ School. Introductory concepts are also covered as part of the Year 10 Business Studies course.

Course content for Year 11 is the national syllabus and NCEA Level One. For Year 12 it is the national syllabus and NCEA Level 2. Year 13’s course content covers the national syllabus and NCEA Level 3. There is no national curriculum in Economics.

Students may take up Economics at any level, though entrance at Year 12 and Year 13 is subject to the Head of Departments approval. This is to ensure that the candidate is able to academically cope with the courses requirements.

Useful and interesting articles on the link below:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/economy-and-the-city

Skills are essential to the learning of Economics. The four main sets of skills used in Economics are:

• Thinking skills
• Statistical skills
• Investigative skills
• Decision making skills

Specific Objectives for Economics Years 11 to 13

1. The study of Economics will help students understand how individuals and groups make economic choices. They will reach this understanding by:
   • examining the factors that contribute to people’s choices
   • recognising that there are alternative solutions to economic problems
   • evaluating the alternative choices available.
     
     
2. In the study of Economics students will develop an understanding of resource allocation by:
   • discerning the nature of economic scarcity and the need for allocation
   • understand the nature of allocation in a range of economic systems
   • evaluating the consequences of allocation
   • perceiving that the results of economic decision-making may fall unevenly on different groups
     
     
3. In the study of Economics, students will learn about the range of people, institutions and groups who make economic decisions. They will do this by:
   • recognising the decision-making roles of individuals, institutions, groups and government in different economic circumstances
   • understanding why these groupings exist via identifying their common goals
   • understanding how different sectors of the economy relate to one another
   • discerning the characteristics of different systems and of New Zealand in particular
   • understanding the relationships between the New Zealand economy and the rest of the world
     
     
4. The study of Economics will help students:
   • understand the changing nature of the economic environment by being able to deal with the processes of continuing change
   • develop a continuing interest in the economic aspects of social and political issues
     
     
5. The study of Economics will help students develop the thinking, statistical, investigative and decision-making skills involved in using economic concepts and tools, to develop an understanding of their economic environment.
   
   
6. The study of Economics will help students understand that Economics is based on the assumption that people want to increase their well-being. They will reach their understanding by:
   • recognising that some individuals and groups assign different values to this assumption.
   • perceiving that people bring different attitudes and values to making economic decision.
   • realising that Maori and other cultural groups living in New Zealand will bring different perspectives to economic decisions.