Most students approaching the study of economics for the first time are already familiar with much of its subject matter even though they may be unaware of it.
Newspapers, magazines, radio and television keep us informed about all kinds of economic issues. The Celtic Tiger or the current recession! unemployment, inflation, wages, strikes and industrial unrest, prices, taxation, interest rates and monetary union are just some of the topics that you will be learning about in the Leaving Certificate course. These are issues that will affect all of us, either directly or indirectly; whether as a consumer, a producer, a worker, a borrower, a saver or just as a well informed citizen. Each of us has a vested interest in understanding how a modern economy works if we are to make properly informed decisions about matters affecting our own lives.
The Leaving Certificate paper is divided into two sections:
- Section A consisting of short questions on both micro and macro economic issues.
- Section B where candidates have to answer only four out of eight questions on different topics.
Students do not need to have studied Business Studies to Junior Certificate level.
An interest, and average proficiency in mathematics is desirable but not essential.
Career Links: This subject will be to the advantage of the student who continues on to 3rd level to study courses in Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Accountancy, Finance, Banking, Marketing, and Sales Management.
Economics can come alive on a daily basis by using on-line sites which are all very relevant for the Leaving Certificate Course. For example:
www.cso.ie Excellent site for statistics on the Irish Economy
www.irlgov.ie Government departments, finance etc.
www.esri.ie Economic and Social Research Institute
www.ireland.com The Irish Times
www.independent.ie Irish Independent
www.economist.com The Economist magazine
www.centralbank.ie Central Bank
www.oecd.org Org. for Economic Co-operation and Development
www.wto.org World Trade Organisation
www.bized.ac.uk/glossary Economic terms
www.bbc.co.uk The BBC: click business and economy
www.nesc.ie National Economic and Social Council