Course Description
Focusing on the family as a producing and consuming unit, this course covers issues consumers face in different life stages and decision-making processes and tools. Emphasis on interrelationships among decisions and links between economic and social issues. Provides a history of consumer economics, consumer protection, consumer protection agencies, and consumer policy.
Athena Title
Introduction to Consumer Econ
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in FHCE 2100H, FHCE 2100E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will be able to: • Appreciate how the Family and Consumer Science’s (FACS) Body of Knowledge is the intellectual foundation that is shared by and contributes to the FACS field of teaching and research. • Explore the various integrative elements, core concepts, and cross-cutting themes that make up the FACS Body of Knowledge. • Understand that while FACS courses may use different settings, address different areas of content, or practice different learning methodologies, it is the Body of Knowledge that unifies FACS professionals and continues to justify the need for this profession in society. • Understand the types of economic, sociological, and psychological theories that explain consumer decisions and the private and social consequences of those decisions. • Understand the influence of long-term and short-term macro-economic, micro-economic, and societal trends on the decision-making unit. • Explain the benefits and costs of choices regarding issues such as labor force participation, housing, fertility, time allocation, financial management, and housing finance. • Explore the various public policy programs related to individual and family well-being. • Knowledgeably describe future trends in families’ economic decision-making.
Topical Outline
Theories: What They Are and How They are Used to Analyze Consumer Issues Consumer Economic Environment and Economic Decision-Making in Families Influences of Short- and Long-Term Macroeconomic Trends on the Decision-Making Unit Family Production of Income and the Allocation of Time The Housing Decision Economics of Fertility Family Financial Management Health Care Costs Public Policy and Economic Decision-Making Planning for Retirement and Social Security Consumer Economics as a Science and a Career Path Consumer Protection Agencies and Consumer Policy
Syllabus