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Simpsonomics: Teaching Economics Using Episodes of The Simpsons

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  • R. Andrew Luccasen
  • M. Kathleen Thomas

Abstract

Undergraduate students are often interested in applications of economic principles. Although popular television shows and movies are not real-world examples, drawing from these sources can motivate disinterested students and provide a pedagogical tool that enhances instruction. In this article, the authors discuss several basic introductory economic principles that are illustrated by the television show The Simpsons. Topics include economic reasoning, opportunity cost, incentives, comparative advantage, declining marginal benefit, elasticity, externalities, free-riding, and game theory. The authors provide discussion questions and student worksheets that instructors can use in their own classes.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Andrew Luccasen & M. Kathleen Thomas, 2010. "Simpsonomics: Teaching Economics Using Episodes of The Simpsons," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 136-149, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jeduce:v:41:y:2010:i:2:p:136-149
    DOI: 10.1080/00220481003613847
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    1. William E. Becker & Michael Watts (ed.), 1998. "Teaching Economics to Undergraduates," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1643.
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    1. G. Dirk Mateer & Brian O’Roark & Kim Holder, 2016. "The 10 Greatest Films for Teaching Economics," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 61(2), pages 204-216, October.
    2. Scott A. Beaulier & Franklin G. Mixon & Richard J. Cebula, 2014. "Can't see the tacking for the trees? Try a Coasian solution," Chapters, in: Franklin G. Mixon & Richard J. Cebula (ed.), New Developments in Economic Education, chapter 11, pages 126-132, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. John T. Dalton & Andrew J. Logan, 2020. "Using the movie Joy to teach innovation and entrepreneurship," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(3-4), pages 287-296, August.
    4. Mixon Jr., Franklin G. & Asarta, Carlos J. & Caudill, Steven B., 2017. "Patreonomics: Public goods pedagogy for economics principles," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 1-7.
    5. Mustofa, Rochman Hadi & Pramudita, Dias Aziz & Atmono, Dwi & Priyankara, Rasika & Asmawan, Mochammad Chairil & Rahmattullah, Muhammad & Mudrikah, Saringatun & Pamungkas, Leonny Noviyana Sakti, 2022. "Exploring educational students acceptance of using movies as economics learning media: PLS-SEM analysis," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    6. Allison Shwachman Kaminaga & Aziz N. Berdiev & Laura Beaudin, 2024. "Using the Fed Challenge to Enrich the Teaching of a Money and Banking Class," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 50(2), pages 213-234, April.
    7. Gregory M. Randolph, 2016. "Laissez-Colbert," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 61(2), pages 217-228, October.
    8. Amanda Mandzik, 2022. "Once Upon an Economics Course: Using Fairy Tales to Teach Economics," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 7(3), pages 147-161, October.
    9. Marta Podemska-Mikluch & Darwyyn Deyo & David T. Mitchell, 2016. "Public Choice Lessons from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter," Journal of Private Enterprise, The Association of Private Enterprise Education, vol. 31(Spring 20), pages 57-69.
    10. Ambrose Leung & Hiroyo Nakagawa, 2021. "Exploring Collaborative Learning in Economics with Visual Aids," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 6(1), pages 53-69, May.
    11. R. Andrew Luccasen & Michael Hammock & M. Kathleen Thomas, 2011. "Teaching Macroeconomic Principles Using Animated Cartoons," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 56(1), pages 38-47, May.
    12. Amanda Mandzik, 2023. "All I Want for Christmas is an A on My Econ Final: A Holiday-Themed Review Class," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 8(2), pages 72-86, May.
    13. Christopher Clark & Brooke Conaway & Jessie Folk & Justin Roush, 2021. "Teaching Economics in Three Acts," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 5(3), pages 116-130, March.

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