Unit 2 Discussion: Demand and supply in news articles.
Assignment Overview
For this discussion please create a narrative PowerPoint presentation (5-7 slides) and post as your initial response in the discussion area.
The goal of this discussion is to read, understand, and discuss recent news using microeconomics terminology. You will identify a current news article that discusses changes in demand and supply of particular goods or services, then analyze it through an economic lens using proper terminology and concepts.
Assignment Instructions
Article Selection Requirements
- Choose a news article from an online newspaper or magazine.
- Select an article that was published within the last month.
- Article must discuss changes in demand and supply of particular goods or services.
- Materials from Khan Academy and The Balance are not considered news articles even if they were recently updated and contain material related to the discussion topic.
PowerPoint Presentation Content (5-7 slides)
Your presentation should include:
- Article Summary: Summarize the key points from your selected article.
- Economic Analysis: Convert the article language into economic terminology, discussing:
- Changes in equilibrium quantity and equilibrium price
- Demand and supply shifts
- Quantity demanded vs demand
- Determinants of demand
- Shifts in demand curve
- Other relevant Week 2 content materials
- Economic Vocabulary Integration: Use specific economic vocabulary throughout your analysis.
- Reflection: Include a reflection slide addressing what you learned and how it applies to the workplace or everyday life.
Note: The article you choose may not use exact economic terms; therefore, it is incumbent upon you to convert the article language into appropriate economic language.
Initial Post Requirements
In each discussion, your initial post should explicitly meet the following four expectations:
- Apply knowledge of appropriate topical content in a comprehensive and insightful way. Demonstrate thorough understanding of demand and supply concepts through detailed analysis that connects current events to economic theory.
- Offer unique, well-developed perspectives that deepen understanding of the concepts for others by using personal, relevant, real-world experiences and course materials to interpret the news article through an economic lens.
- Justify your stance or analysis in response to the main discussion question with clear reasoning that explains how the news events represent specific demand and supply changes using economic logic.
- Use correct financial/economic terminology consistently throughout your post, including but not limited to: demand, supply, quantity demanded, quantity supplied, equilibrium price, equilibrium quantity, determinants of demand, determinants of supply, demand curve shifts, supply curve shifts, market forces, and price mechanisms.
Skills Assessment
This discussion assesses your competency in the following skills:
- Economic Analysis: Apply demand and supply theory to interpret real-world market changes.
- Critical Reading: Extract economic concepts from non-academic news sources.
- Communication: Present economic analysis clearly using appropriate terminology and visual aids.
- Synthesis: Connect theoretical economic concepts to current market events.
- Digital Literacy: Create effective PowerPoint presentations that communicate economic concepts.
In your initial post, demonstrate competency of these skills per the guidelines in the rubric.
Reflection Component
Your reflection should be integrated into your PowerPoint presentation and address:
- Key insights gained from analyzing current events through an economic lens
- How understanding demand and supply changes applies to workplace decision-making or everyday life
- Connections between the news article and broader microeconomic principles
- Personal examples of how these economic concepts affect your daily experiences