Topic: Current Events in Macroeconomics - Savings, Investment, and the Financial System

Macroeconomics is much more than just what you read in a textbook. It is what happens every day, the sum of everything that affects the well-being of all. In fact, macroeconomics affects everyone throughout the country and the world.

Choose one of the two options below and pay particular attention to any discussion relating to the macroeconomics concepts addressed in the current unit. After listening or reading, answer the following questions:

1. What important new things did you learn?
2. Did the topics discussed in the article or podcast relate to your personal experience in any way? If so, how? If not, how do you believe it could?
3. How does this new knowledge relate to macroeconomic measures of savings, investment, and the functioning of financial systems, and how these impact the entire economy?
4. Based on what you learned, what action(s), if any, do you think the government, or society, should take?

Option 1: Podcast

Choose any podcast related to the macroeconomics concepts addressed in the current unit, then choose a specific current episode of that podcast. Examples of acceptable economic-oriented podcasts include:

• NPR'sMarketplace
• NPR'sPlanet Money
• Bloomberg'sStephanomics
• The New Economics Foundation'sWeekly Economics

If you are unfamiliar with podcasts, use any of the above options or just search for economics podcasts. You may also use TED Talks that center on economic issues.

Option 2: Magazine or Newspaper Article

Using the Library's Publication Finder,search for a magazine or newspaper that publishes economic-related content. Select a current article related to at least one of the macroeconomics concepts addressed in the current unit.

Examples of magazines and newspapers publishing economic-related content include:

• The Economist
• Harvard Business Review
• New York Times
• Wall Street Journal

Checklist:

• Summarize your chosen podcast or article.
• Identify at least three things from the podcast or article that you believe are relevant to current macroeconomic policy.
• Add YOUR personal comments and experiences.
• Cite your podcast or article.