Guest Katia Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 (edited) I've probably asked this before, and I'm pretty sure it will come down to a matter of what each family thinks to be of more import....but....if your dc were going into 12th grade and didn't really care to study economics, would you make them, or would you give them other choices? I am looking at either Sowell's Basic Economics, 3rd edition or Smarr's Philosophy course (we use Smarr literature and it works well for dd) I think both would be good courses.....both would be interesting.....which would be the better choice? And why? BTW, dd thinks the Philosophy sounds like the better course to her (content sounds more interesting to her), so right off the bat that one is on the top right now.... Main reason for the discussion is older dd (in college right now) says that one semester of economics on the high school level is worthless and a waste of time; that it should only be studied at the college level. I've read others that agree with her statement....so.... What thinks the Hive? Edited March 23, 2009 by Katia clarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahli Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 :iagree: My "grain of salt" opinion is to go with the philosophy as elective. If you haven't done a government course yet, you can include a very basic overview of the economy into that. I think that consumer math is more important at high school level than economics, although not a whole semester's worth for credit, just enough to make wise financial decisions. College economics classes are hugely popular right now (so says NPR) and open to all students. I think that I'd rather learn something like that from an economics professor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeacherZee Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 As someone who took economics in high school and college I say go with philosophy. Econ1 was exactly what I had covered in high school (and I went to a world renowned college with one of the top business schools FWIW). I was bored to tears. Add to that that if your daughter is more interested in philosophy to me it is a no brainer :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Most colleges look for a half year of both Civics and Economics in 12th grade. That is why most high school make the 12thies take those courses. Could your dd just take Philo. as an elective??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in MD Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I'd go with econ because I think it's more practical in understanding the world. I didn't take it in high school, but did take both micro and macro in grad school. I took philosophy 101 in undergrad. That was a waste. I'm not at all familiar with the book you're considering, but I'm looking at TTC economic DVDS supplemented by The Worldly Philosophers and Freakonomics when my ds gets to econ. Before making a final decission, check with the universities your dd is considering because some do require a semester of economics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Any chance your student could do this concurrently at a local college? My son was able to take philosophy at our local university as a senior and he had a fantastic experience. The professor was young, a graduate of a Catholic College (yielding a conservative approach to philosophy), and he was a great mentor to my son. He also took Macroeconomics in his senior year at the university level and found it easy. He did have some economics in high school (mainly Economics in One Lesson) which might have helped. But, like others have said, I think many colleges want to see that semester of govt. and of economics on the high school transcript. Philosophy is great, but I think it's best when taught in a setting providing a lot of discussion. Another option for philosophy would be a co-op of some sort. Our co-op touches on philosophy through our worldviews/great books course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 We do .5 credit of both in their senior year. Actually, the philosophy credit is call World Views, Philosophy, and Ethics. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katia Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Ok. Some answers to questions raised here: 1) No, she can not take both. There is no more room in her schedule. She is already taking Psychology as an elective, and there is only so many hours in her day...... 2) She is taking American Government 1st semester and either of these courses would be in this same time slot only 2nd semester. 3) We have already covered personal finance, budgeting, etc. with Dave Ramsey and other books, plus we discuss a lot, so I think we have that covered. 4) "most" colleges don't really want to see Economics as a high school subject, at least the colleges we have looked at. My ds has graduated college and my older dd is at college. All together they have applied to (and been accepted to) 10 different colleges (different types, states, etc) and not ONE of them wanted to see Economics as a high school subject. Only one stated exactly what they wanted to see at the high school level, but the rest stated something along the lines of: "Require 3.5 credits, with one credit being in American History, one credit being in World History and one-half credit being in American Government" Then they stated that the remaining credits could be any social humanities class of the student's choice. And most of them left out the World History and just required the American History and American Government with the rest being of the student's choice. I was very surprised as I thought that colleges required Economics as well.....this is the main reason we are looking to replace Economics...(along with the disinterest, etc.) 5) The Philosophy course is basically an introduction to the History of Western Philosophy (the men and their thoughts behind it, and the terms involved). DD has read the online sample and is very, very interested. You just see that most high schools require a semester course in Economics and so you think you *have* to teach it......kwim? This is big stuff for me to step out of the box and think about replacing it. I'm enjoying reading the replies and thoughts behind them. Varied and interesting as always from the Hive Mind. It gives me much food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Q Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 We did both, but that is because Economics is a required course here in NY and Philosophy was her choice! I think Eco is important....I would probably let her do Philosophy and ask her read a book like Economics in One Lesson (Hazlitt, I think?)at some point so she knows a little about it before college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I've traditionally taught philosophy in 9/10 grade. It helps identify the worldview of the authors in their literature courses for 11/12 grades, which brings greater insight. Economics would be better suited for 12th grade because it has no special purpose or benefit before then, IMO. If you have not taught philosophy by 12th, I would choose that over economics. Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Slinking in to say that my senior has done neither Philosophy nor Economics yet has five college acceptances in hand. Social Sciences were given fairly short shrift here (one year each of Word History (1700 to 2000), AP US History, and AP Comparative Government and Politics) compared to some other areas such as foreign languages and English. All this to say, there are only so many hours in a day and choices must be made. I'd vote for letting your daughter take the course that most interests her. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooooom Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 My kids and I are doing it right now (9th) and we are all finding it fascinating. It really helps them to understand what is happening in the world right now (I'm much more interested in them learning current events - econ is helping them understand current events as well as all the history we've studied up to this point - and will pick up again next year). We are using The Teaching Company lectures and the Bluestocking Press Uncle Eric books - I know these can be controversial, but they explain things in very easy to understand language, and then we discuss what he has to say versus Professor Taylor. It is extremely beneficial for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 My kids and I are doing it right now (9th) and we are all finding it fascinating. It really helps them to understand what is happening in the world right now (I'm much more interested in them learning current events - econ is helping them understand current events as well as all the history we've studied up to this point - and will pick up again next year). We are using The Teaching Company lectures and the Bluestocking Press Uncle Eric books - I know these can be controversial, but they explain things in very easy to understand language, and then we discuss what he has to say versus Professor Taylor. It is extremely beneficial for us. Both of my older children thought it most fascinating. We used ABeka. My oldest son said it was the most interesting class he's had in a long time. FWIW. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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