Economics at the End of the World

*THIS CLASS REQUIRES AT LEAST THREE (3) STUDENTS TO GO AHEAD. IF A SECTION DOES NOT HAVE AT LEAST THAT NUMBER OF STUDENTS REGISTERED 24 HOURS BEFORE LISTED DATE, IT WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL THE MINIMUM REQUIRED NUMBER ARE REGISTERED*

This class teaches basic economics and government. Topics included are:
* the effects of supply and demand
* differences between market, mixed and planned economics
* differences between democracy and dictatorship
* the meaning of scarcity
* how governments make decisions to distribute goods and services in society

These topics are covered through a simulation where the learners take the roles of the few humans who remain after the apocalypse, a world similar to what is seen in movies like Mad Max, Oblivion or the Matrix, and computer games like Fallout. These survivors have to build a new society, produce basic goods like food, and decide, as a community, what resources to collect and how to use them. All these questions are questions of economics and governance.

The first week, learners get familiar with the status quo situation and introduced to the basics of the simulation - their community, their available resources, actions they can take to develop that community and improve their situation. If they want food, supplies, things – they have to take the time to make it. Their objective is to maximize the community's Wealth, Happiness and Health. They will get a chance to do a first turn of finding resources and bartering with each other.

The second week they will have to start answering questions like: Will they decide on a free market economy or a planned economy, or a mix? What consequences will these have for the prosperity and productivity of the community? How will they manage disagreements? Who will get to make decisions for their community? Will that person be chosen in elections in the community or simply take power by force? Why would they choose one style of government over another?

The third week and beyond, they will continue to explore their surroundings for resources, barter and build projects that develop the community, and they will have to decide how to use the collected resources to improve their community. 

As the learners answer the questions as they arise through their play together, they will have to study and consider key concepts from economics and government studies, and confront the consequences of their choices and possibly correct mistake they make along the way.