Life is a puzzle. Economics helps you to make sense of the issues and events which dominate the news. A recent national survey also confirmed that Economics students find the subject helps to improve problem-solving skills, develops their ability to plan work and is intellectually stimulating. Economics students learn to analyse a situation, gather and interpret information, predict the consequences of decisions and evaluate alternative courses of action. Economics is the study of human behaviour as it relates to scarcity: that is, the allocation of scarce resources to competing uses. How best can governments spend their time or their money?
STAFF
- Mrs E A Logan Head of Economics
- Mr E H Lindsay
- Mr A M Millar
- Mr P J Armstrong
- Ms J Davison Vice Principal
FACILITIES AND RESOURCES
The Economics department uses a range of approaches including a diary to note events in the news, discussions and debates on policy, speakers from local universities and the Bank of England, brainstorming, internet research and group work. Regular tests are also incorporated into the schemes of work to ensure understanding and evaluate learning.
CURRICULUM
At AS and A2, students will contemplate such issues as: - - third world debt and globalisation
- competition policy and the price of DVDs
- recent increases in oil prices
- the congestion charge
- inflation
- unemployment
- pollution
The final examinations at AS and A2 take the form of data response and structured essay questions. These are commonly based on current economic issues within Northern Ireland, the UK or the EU. EXTRA CURRICULAR In the Lower Sixth, students have the opportunity to take part in Young Enterprise companies and other competitions, which vary from year to year.
Business StudiesThere are currently around one hundred and seventy pupils in the Fourth and Fifth Forms who have chosen Business Studies GCSE. The subject gives them an interesting and practical insight into the world of business. Pupils consider the advantages and disadvantages of various business decisions, from whether they should set up as a sole trader or a limited company to how their product or service should be produced. They also devise marketing campaigns in the form of posters which are displayed in the classrooms and on open nights. Interview simulations are undertaken to see who should be hired and, once the candidate has been chosen, how they should be motivated. Finally, pupils study how businesses are financed and the importance of keeping accounts. FACILITIES AND RESOURCES Widespread use is made of ICT for research, presentation and calculations. Speakers from Trading Standards and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau are also regular visitors to MCB. EDUCATIONAL TRIPS AND EXCHANGES All pupils are involved in visits to the Coca-Cola plant at Lambeg or the Tayto factory in Tandragee. | 
