What is The Senior Economist?
K-12 Resources College Resources NAEE Virtual Econ Econ Info NE Council UNO Center EcEdWeb Home

The Senior Economist is a publication of the National Council on Economic Education which features an essay by a prominent economist with three complete lesson plans for classroom use. The Senior Economist is published four times per year--September, November, February, and April. The Senior Economist provides current events activities to supplement the teaching activities in Capstone: The Nation's High School Economics Course and United States History: Eyes on the Economy-- publications of the National Council on Economic Education.

A subscription to The Senior Economist is $14.95 for first time subscribers. If you are interested in receiving current or future issues of The Senior Economist, you should write to the:

National Council on Economic Education
1140 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

Or call toll-free 1-800-338-1192.

Here is a summary of a few recent issues:

Coming in April, 1996

Hang on for the April issue when we "go for the gold" and analyze the costs and benefits of the 1996 Summer Olympics.

February, 1996

The February issue of The Senior Economist on Overpopulation features an insightful essay by Richard L. Stroup and Jane S. Shaw entitled Is Great Population A Problem? They present an analysis of the arguments of Malthusians and cornucopians as they relate to population growth. This essay uses economic reasoning to debunk some of the common myths about overpopulation. I think that you and your students will enjoy it.
This issue also features first-rate teaching suggestions. Mary Anne Pettit and Gil Rutman describe the "right stuff" and use these criteria to analyze mysteries about economic growth in various countries. Sandra Odorzynski uses statistics from ten counties to address whether or not spaceship Earth is overbooked. Bill Holahan combines concepts from biology and economics to take a fresh look at the tragedy of the commons.

November, 1995

Be sure to look for our November 1995 issue. James Q. Wilson addresses the economics of crime and John Morton and Jean Caldwell have prepared some excellent lessons. In February, 1996 we plan to discuss the economics of overpopulation with a lead essay from Richard Stroup and Jane Shaw. We will finish the year in our April issue by "going for the gold" by addressing the economics of the Summer Olympics with a lead essay by Jeffery M. Humphreys of the University of Georgia.

September, 1995

The "Up in the Morning and Off to School" is now available and features a lead essay on the economics of education by Gary S. Becker, the winner of the 1992 Noble Prize. Becker stresses the economic value of investments in human capital. This is a highly readable and informative essay.
Next, Don Wentworth helps students solve the economic mystery: Since we all know the high value of an education, why do students drop out of school and why is academic achievement mediocre? Bonnie Meszaros and Barbara Fournier use case studies of two young people and one employer to drive home the importance of investments in human capital. Finally, Kym Husom and Bill Duddleston use a series of tables about the economic and noneconomic value of an education to debunk the claim by rock band Pink Floyd that "we don't need no education."

April, 1995

Paul Heyne of the University of Washington provides us with a compelling essay on the common moral criticisms of market systems. This is a must read for students and teachers alike. Heyne draws a distinction between selfishness and self interest and goes on to tackle people'smisgivings that markets appear to be overly competitive, encourage the sense that we do everything for money and that market systems are uncaring and impersonal. Practical teaching suggestions are provided by Douglas Haskell, Breada Manger, Donald Wentworth, Dennis Placone, and Harold Gilbert.

February, 1995

William J. Baumol of New York University presents a highly engaging essay in which he explains why the cost of live theatre performance has risen persistently and what can be done about it. Some creative teaching activities are presented by Sarapage McCorkle, Mary Suiter, Phillip J. VanFossen, Rita Littrell, and Michael Duckworth.

November, 1994

The November issue of The Senior Economist suggests that free and open trade is the key to Middle East peace. Stanley Fischer of MIT is the lead essayist. Trade based on comparative advantage creates mutually beneficial economic gains and the resulting interdependence can lead to greater political stability. Teaching activities feature a trade simulation prepared by Michael Haupert and a mystery solving activity prepared by Mike Ellerbrock, Lori Harris, and Danyel Cowell.

September, 1994

Poverty and welfare is the subject of the fall, 1994 issue. It features an essay by Isabel Sawhill of the Office of Management and Budget. The specific focus is on the implications of the rising level of poverty among children at a time when poverty among the elderly is decreasing. This is a highly informative essay that has earned high praise from our reviewers. Some highly engaging teaching activities are presented by Gail Funk, Paul Ballew, Bert Okma, and James Leming.