Economics I
What is business? How do businesses get started? Is creating wealth good?
Is greed good? Can business bring meaning to your life? What is cutting edge today?
To answer these questions students will engage concrete case studies and the historical and philosophical crucible of concepts. Students will learn supply and demand by studying sneaker hype culture, monetary policy through an exploration of cryptocurrency, and interest by looking at Thomas Aquinas’ argument against usury in the Summa Theologica. Students will integrate business principles with virtues of courage, temperance and fortitude. The goal is to ‘prepare the soil’ not only for the further academic study of economics, but for life as a business person.
Entrepreneurship I
How do I start a business? What does it mean to have an entrepreneurial mindset?
How much risk should I take? What does it mean to innovate?
This course will teach students about the process and underlying concepts associated with successful startup ventures. Students will review case studies and learn the basic elements of building a business. They will work with a group of peers to design and test a business model. The model will be presented before a panel of business leaders who will offer input and support.
Leadership
What is leadership? What does it mean to be a servant leader?
What are obstacles to leadership? What are ethical issues facing leaders?
Students will develop a philosophy of leadership as they look at historical models of leadership, among them the servant leadership model of Christ, and take on a leadership role. Students will explore concepts of humility, perseverance, communication, personality, motivation, praise, love and fear.
AP Macroeconomics
How is an economy structured? What are the inputs? How does it all work?
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics provides students with a thorough understanding of economic principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Like with Economics I economic principles will be integrated with the study of virtue.
Personal Finance
What is compound interest? How do I develop a budget? Should I take out loans?
Why do I pay taxes? Tell me about investments. What is a mortgage?
Students will be introduced to all aspects of finance. They will be able to develop their philosophy of money and understand the role money has in their lives.
Putting Theory Into Practice
Beyond the Classroom
We realize that students’ lives are not segmented between the classroom and the world. We are integrated beings. Pacifica is part of a student’s everyday world. The Minchin Center seeks to break down the walls between education and society by encouraging interaction. By hosting guest speakers, sending students out into society via internships and site visits we are building a bridge.
- Guest Speakers
- Internships
- Site Visits & Outings
