Economics

Economics Department

HoD: Mrs A Straghan

Subjects Offered

Economics A Level (CCEA Modular)

Economics is taught in RSD as part of the Shared Education Programme and we value the contribution made by a number of pupils from St. Patrick’s Academy in our Y13 & Y14 classes.

Economics pupils are encouraged to read around the subject and a wide range of reading material is provided for pupil use within the department, ranging from magazines such as Economics Today and Economics Review (written specifically for A Level pupils), to books and publications by Tim Harford, Ha-Joon Chang and Linda Yueh.

 

Economics
New links to articles and blogs are constantly being added to the Economics VLE, Fronter, to reflect the dynamic nature of the subject and emphasise to the pupils the importance of keeping up-to-date with the current issues impacting the economy. Throughout the year we invite a number of guest speakers into the Department, including past pupils, to assist with decisions regarding university choices or potential career paths.

We also bring in university lecturers to speak on current issues and recently we hosted an event during which pupils were encouraged to consider the implications of Brexit for young people delivered by staff from the European Commission in London.

 

Curriculum

Economics addresses some of the most pressing questions that society faces today.  It looks at markets and how they provide for society’s needs and wants. It examines how individuals and businesses manage their resources, and the need for government intervention. The issues of regulation in the financial sector are investigated and global environmental issues and their potential solutions are reviewed. Economics is essentially about choice – why choices must be made and the consequences of those choices.

The study of this A level will open up the thought-provoking world of economics and help to develop a variety of thinking and communication skills including investigating, analysing, evaluating, reasoning, drawing conclusions and making judgements.  Economics requires the ability to interpret data in both written and diagrammatical forms and a good head for numbers is useful.

The content of the AS units in the CCEA Specification provides students with a good understanding of how market forces of supply and demand work at both a micro and macro level, and an understanding of why and how the government intervenes.

At A2 level, students will develop their understanding of economic concepts by studying the implications of price and output decisions in a variety of market structures, and the importance of trade and globalisation. They will have the opportunity to investigate the factors affecting the growth of developing economies and the nature and effectiveness of government policies in a global economy.

Assessment is through two written examinations at AS (40% of A level) and a further two written examinations at A2 (60% of A level).  Each examination includes short answer questions; one data response (AS) or case study question (A2) and one essay question from a choice of two.

Economics News Articles

A message from Madlug

Y11 & Y12 Business Studies pupils had the opportunity to hear all about a very successful local social enterprise from its founder, Dave Linton. Inspired by the story of a child in care who was using a bin bag...

Young Enterprise Quick Start Programme

Pupils in 10R who participated in the Young Enterprise Quick Start Programme had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to Sam Walker from Young Enterprise

A Special Guest in A Level Economics

It's great to have past pupils back in RSD to share their experiences either at university or in the workplace. Recently, A level Economics pupils welcomed back Aaron Graham, who came in to share his experience of studying Economics & Finance at QUB. Our current...

Northern Ireland School Business Challenge

Yesterday two teams of Year 13 Business Studies pupils travelled to Belfast to compete in the Northern Ireland School Business Challenge. The pupils had to deliver a...

Business Ethics Workshop

Year 14 Business Studies and Economics pupils were invited to St. Patrick's Academy on Thursday for a very informative workshop on Business Ethics, delivered by RSD past pupil Dr Shirley Ann Haslett from Queens Management School. The workshop was part of the ESRC...

Year 11 Young Enterprise Challenge

Two teams of four Year 11 pupils represented RSD at the Young Enterprise Challenge event held at South West College on Tuesday 14th November.

Stock Market Investment Challenge Yr11

On Wednesday 15th March, four Year 11 pupils set off for Riddel Hall at Queen’s University Management School in Belfast.

Stock Market Challenge Yr 11

On Monday 6th February, students studying Business Studies in Year 11 took part in the ‘Stock Market Challenge’.

Fair Trade

Next week will be Fair Trade week in RSD.  There will be Fair Trade produce for sale from Tuesday 31st January to Friday 3rd February at break and lunch in the Foyer.  Please remember to bring some change for this worthy cause.

Other Subjects

Pin It on Pinterest

X