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Paradox of Progress
The paradox of progress is that creative destruction is everywhere; once a new, better technology or process arrives there is market disruption in labor, processes, etc. This unit analyzes the forces that participate in this, with historical examples of disruptions. The student will understand that change is inevitable, and we must be willing to be lifelong learners to keep up with economic and technological change.
Author: W. Michael Cox, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Trade
Trade makes us richer and happier. This unit goes into economic experiments to explain how subjective value and opportunity cost are major drivers of human progress that span large geographic areas, go across oceans, and make us more peaceful, richer and happier societies.
Author: Robert A. Lawson, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Time Well Spent
While economic analysis in general focuses on inflation as an indicator of an overall economy’s health, we explain recent human progress and poverty reduction in absolute terms. The reality of recent economic history is we work less and obtain more. Long gone are the days in which enormous amounts of laborers participated in the least productive sectors of the economy. Productivity has made us wealthier and more comfortable. This unit explains the historical trends of productivity and wealth creation in modern economies, and how these changes are transforming lesser developed economies.
Author: W. Michael Cox, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Economic Freedom of the World
Measuring economic freedom has become a driving force to understand and forecast success in economies. The more economically free societies are, the wealthier, healthier, and more successful they become. This unit explains how institutions, economics, geography, and the rule of law play major roles in well-being and dignified human flourishing. Author: Robert A. Lawson, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Taxation and Public Finance
Taxes are everywhere, this unit analyses the reason why taxes occur and how the public treasury is financed by overt and hidden taxes. This unit also looks at the effect of taxes in entrepreneur’s decisions and how this has an effect in the economy.
Authors: Dean Stansel & Meg Tuszynski, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Morality of Markets
Taxes are everywhere, this unit analyses the reason why taxes occur and how the public treasury is financed by overt and hidden taxes. This unit also looks at the effect of taxes in entrepreneur’s decisions and how this has an effect in the economy.
Author: , Ashland University

Labor Market Economics
There is a market for everyone’s labor. What happens when we introduce barriers, price fixing and more generally, mess through policy with what people are willing to work for and employers willing to pay for? We get all sorts of unintended consequences and distortions that unfortunately have effects on the people that need it most, those that are unemployed.
Author: , Ginn Economic Consulting

Macroeconomics I (Short-Run Macro)
What is money? What effects do policy, governments, supply, demand have on a nation’s money supply? What role do banks and banking policy have in what our money is worth? This unit examines monetary cycles and what lessons we can have about inflation and markets regarding money.
Author: , Texas Tech University

International Development Economics
Why are some countries richer than others? Students and teachers take a deep look at what the history of economies has been, and how industrialization, entrepreneurship, free markets, and strong institutions have made the biggest difference in the prosperity and well-being of populations.
Author: , Texas Tech University

Sweatshops: Are they Good or Bad? (A study in Opportunity Cost)
What is the real cost of our cheap clothes? What can we do to improve the lives of the workers around the world? Why is it that no matter what we campaign for, there will always be another very poor country opening to the textile/garment industry? Why don’t we have these shops in the US? We look at these questions to examine the role of opportunity cost in our everyday decisions and how our choices influence the livelihoods of people on the other side of the world.
Author: , Texas Tech University

Austrian Economics (History of Economic Thought)
If you are under the impression that economists are forever data-driven and obsessed with complex formulas and not with unconventional new ways of thinking, then you should look at the Austrian school.  The economists in this school strive to solve complex issues- economic ones- by conducting thought experiments on inflation, unemployment, and the importance of private property, to name a few.  The Austrian school economists have some unique insights into many of the most important economic issues of our times.
Presenters: ÎÞÂëרÇø Faculty

Health Economics
Why don’t we ever see prices in doctor’s offices? Is healthcare a product or a service? We look at these and other questions on how supply, demand and regulation have unexpected consequences on utility measurement in our world of health.
Authors: , The University of Texas at Austin, with Theo Shamoun

FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and Regulation
The effects that pre-market approval has on overall quality of treatment and availability of treatment options, causes distortions (good and bad) on the food and drug markets.
Presenters: ÎÞÂëרÇø Faculty

Culture and Trade
There are long lasting effects in societies as they trade, the questions that long-time economists have asked are: Is there an optimal amount? Do we run the risk of all becoming the same and losing regional uniqueness?
Author: , Ashland University 

Economics of Happiness
We have all heard the phrase: Don’t promise when you’re happy or angry. We take a lookout for the effects that our happiness has on the economy and how economic well-being has life altering effects on our happiness.
Author: , Colorado State University

Public Choice I (Analogies and Deviations of (Markets and Governments)
The topic of Public Choice is so pertinent to the study of economics that it is split into two sections. This first unit uses the tools of economics to make sense of political activity. Students compare and contrast markets and governments to better understand the economics and choices of the political realm.
Author: Meg Tuszynski, ÎÞÂëרÇø 

Public Choice II (Political Process)
In this second unit, students better understand economics as a social science. This unit explores the interactions between voters, elected officials and bureaucrats. The importance of voting for an informed electorate is reinforced.
Author: Meg Tuszynski, ÎÞÂëרÇø 

Sport Economics
What role do sports play in a Free Enterprise economy? See a focused look at the dynamic effect of sports on wages, employment, growth, supply & demand, opportunity costs and more. Student engagement pieces include an Owners Game that demonstrates a stadium building exercise, General Manager Game that simulates a rookie draft, and a Players Game that shows labor market activity.
Author: Richard Alm, ÎÞÂëרÇø 

Economics of Risk
Where does uncertainty fit into how a Free Enterprise economy functions? Embracing the economic concepts of business cycles, opportunity costs, tradeoffs, scarcity, market structures, business organizations and more this module is designed to reveal avenues of teaching students’ complex economics topics in an understandable format.
Authors: , The University of Texas at Austin, with Theo Shamoun

Economic Freedom of North America
Leveraging the very successful Economic Freedom of the World research this module will cover multiple social studies subjects. This is a comprehensive approach that will employ data, maps, and graphics that are sure to engage students. Measuring economic freedom has become a driving force to understand and forecast success in economies. The more economically free societies are, the wealthier, healthier, and more successful they become. This unit explains how institutions, economics, geography, and the rule of law play major roles in well-being and dignified human flourishing.
Author: Dean Stansel, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Game Theory
How can games demonstrate the principles of economics to learners? Be prepared to experience how your students’ attention will be captured with this module that delivers concepts in a unique and engaging approach.
Author: , Criswell College

International Monetary System
So, if money talks what will it say to students to help them better understand trade and exchange? What are the rules, conventions and institutions that are crucial to a high functioning global economy and competitive operations? This unit will inspire students to trust liquidity in fluctuating markets and see how wealth is created by embracing free enterprise economic practices.
Author: , Criswell College

Economics of the American West
The history of North America’s West is replete with stories of economic success and failure. What lessons can students learn from these experiences and see the future through that lens? From the vantage point of microeconomic study students will see the principles of how scarce resources are allocated among competing ends. The economic factors of agriculture, industry, water, land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship will leverage this learning experience.
Author: , Texas Tech University

Regional Development Economics (Microeconomics)
The history of North America’s West is replete with stories of economic success and failure. What lessons can students learn from these experiences and see the future through that lens? From the vantage point of microeconomic study students will see the principles of how scarce resources are allocated among competing ends. The economic factors of agriculture, industry, water, land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship will leverage this learning experience. 
Author: , Texas Tech University

Economics of Immigration 
Increasingly the world is a mobile place with people moving in and out of nations and migrating within those countries too. What does this flow of humanity look like in the Free Enterprise system? This module looks at factors of production with an emphasis on labor and human capital. What strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats are economically realized as we move from location to location? Sectors examined will be energy, transportation and more with a focus on trade, policy, technology, innovation, and risk.
Author: , Texas Tech University

Personal Financial Literacy I
What is a budget and why are they important? How are saving and retirement linked? Money is a difficult subject to talk about, yet money management is an important component of life. One of the ways that people have control over their money, and their life, is to create a budget and hold themselves accountable to ensure they do not spend more than the money they bring in. This module explores these topics for the uninitiated so the future will look even brighter. 
Author: , Seton Hall University

Personal Financial Literacy II
Investing, Insurance, Real Estate and Loans
What can I do with the money I have? How can I protect my investments? Can I afford to buy a home or go to college? These are the gateway questions to adulthood that we all face. Making good sound decisions in this aspect of life is crucial to future happiness and satisfaction. This unit provides key points toward understanding the pathways to a prosperous life. 
Author: , Seton Hall University

COVID-19 and the Economy: A Case Study in Market and Government Failure
What impact do exogenous shocks have on an economy? How do we analyze market and government failure to overcome it in the short term and learn from it in the long run? These and other questions are addressed in this series of essays concerning the largest economic shock in decades: The Covid 19 Pandemic. Students will explore critical thinking skills to examine, assess and problem solve the issues surrounding this prime example of economic calamity.
Author: Dean Stansel & Meg Tuszynski, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Environmental Economics
Are free markets and environmental preservation friends or foes? Often, we hear that we need a strong system of taxation and/or regulation to curb environmental degradation and the overuse of our Earth’s natural resources. In this unit, we will explore how the principles of economics can help us understand how best to preserve the environment and conserve resources for the future. Indeed, prices, property rights, and the profit and loss mechanism can all give us key insights into how we can achieve a greener future without heavy handed government involvement in the process.
Author: Meg Tuszynski, ÎÞÂëרÇø

Economics of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs are widely regarded as the heroes of the modern economy. They are often praised and glorified in TV shows, books, movies, magazines, and social media. In this module students will learn what exactly is entrepreneurship; what are some of the myths and realities surrounding it; what is the role of entrepreneurship in the market economy, and, finally, what are the institutional factors that are most likely to drive and support entrepreneurial activity. 
[Two versions available: Traditional and AI oriented]

Constitutional Political Economy
Why did the U.S. founders create a constitution that put limits on democratic decision making?  What is the impact of delegating powers between different branches of government? What is the impact of delegating different powers to federal, state, and local governments?  How has the U.S. constitutional system and federalist system changed since the American founding and what impact are those changes having today?
Author: , , and , Texas Tech University

Personal Financial Literacy III
More Budgeting, Saving, Investing, and Retirement
Different types of investments perform better when the economy is booming, then when the economy has high inflation and is headed towards a recession. Students will learn about real estate investments, which tend to perform well during inflation, as well as analyze cryptocurrency and NFTs more closely. Together with previous units, students can understand what assets are worthwhile to make them financially secure and build generational wealth. In addition, students will learn more about taxes and how they can position themselves for investing success.
Author: , Seton Hall University

Economics of Commercial Banking
Banks play a pivotal role in an economy by mediating many of the dynamic components of a Free Enterprise system. How do they operate? What makes a bank a profitable going concern? What functions do banks offer that make individuals economically freer and potentially entrepreneurial? These and the answers to other questions are approached in this primer on an industry that requires better understanding.
Author: , Florida Atlantic University

Economic Issues: Inflation, Unemployment & Interest Rates
Free Enterprise offers people and nations the promise of prosperity, higher standards of living, and longer life expectancy. However, what about some of the issues of risk that come with the system such as Unemployment and Inflation? What are the criteria for measuring these two issues? Under what conditions do they impair Free Enterprise and how can market forces come to bear to contain such economic situations? The factors that affect both Unemployment and Inflation are discussed in this introductory examination of how an economy can be influenced by market activity and institutions.
Author: , Florida Atlantic University

Economic Freedom of Cities
The standard indicators of the Economic Freedom of the World and Economic Freedom of North America have led to the research for this module. This is a comprehensive approach that will employ data, maps, and graphics that are sure to engage students. Measuring economic freedom has become a driving force to understand and forecast success in economies. The more economically free societies are, the wealthier, healthier, and more successful they become. This unit explains how institutions, economics, geography, and the rule of law play major roles in well-being and dignified human flourishing. Topics covered will be PFL, Supply and Demand, Business Organizations and Market Structures.

Personal Financial Literacy IV
This module focuses on how individuals can turn their savings into lasting income once traditional pay checks stop. It explores how Social Security, pensions, and personal retirement accounts interact to create a steady “retirement pay check,” emphasizing tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and investment management during retirement. By examining risks such as inflation, market volatility, and longevity, the module provides a framework for teaching how to balance growth, income, and security throughout retirement.
Author: , Seton Hall University

Personal Financial Literacy V
In this module the focus is on the life-management decisions that shape retirement beyond finances. It covers healthcare, housing, long-term care, and estate planning, with an emphasis on how these choices affect independence, security, and quality of life in retirement. Students examine Medicare options, evaluate housing and care decisions, and learn the basics of estate planning as part of building a complete retirement blueprint.
Author: , Seton Hall University

Economic Realities of Socialism
This module will provide a broad overview of the economic realities of socialism and communism. The module will address issues specific to nations, households, firms, or industries with an emphasis on the role of markets or lack thereof. Topics discussed will include household and firm behavior, demand and supply, government intervention, market structures, and the efficient allocation of resources. The topics on socialism/communism from the module will embrace a short history; several problems: knowledge, incentive and control; and why this is relevant today. This module will meet many of today’s TEKS but seeks to also address the parameters seek out by the Texas Legislature as suggested for inclusion to Social Studies curriculums for the future.