I agree with Richard about Economics and Business Studies (although I hate
calling it Biz!). We too have equal numbers for both subjects and I spend
some time explaining the two subjects and usually get them to do what is
best for the student (except when parental prejudice gets in the way).

However, we do AQA (for both subjects). Although we have M/C at AS, it works
well to test basic knowledge and understanding. The rest of the papers
fulfil for us what OCR does for Richard; use of economic concepts to analyse
real world situations. Trus, it doesn't have development economics, which is
a shame, but our feeling was that it covers macroeconomics better.

Tim Mason
King Edward's School, Birmingham.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Young" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2003 7:36 PM
Subject: Oh no economics v business studies revisited.


> Oh dear Adrian... you touch on another one of my hobby horses.
>
> I teach both Biz & Econ. We have pupils doing both. We have students
better
> suited to one.
>
> In my view, A level Biz is A level problem solving. I have had really good
> economists who cannot for the life of them identify and evaluate options
in
> the context of firm in a case study in less than 400 words. And I have Biz
> students who struggle with the nuances of aggregate supply & demand.
>
> Interestingly my A2 students doing both subjects are more engaged with
> Economics than with Biz this last few weeks Very small biased sample.
> Probably more to do with my teaching of the two?
>
> Biz can be really interesting but then so can Economics. Both are about
> seeing the world with new analytical eyes.
>
> I really challenge the notion that A level Econ is a dry arid subject. It
> can be if you chose a board like London with m/c and the emphasis on
> dry-as-dust theory. But then some kids love that academic stuff and it is
a
> good preparation for university economics courses.
>
> But those of you still reading this email musing will know I am a great
fan
> of OCR Economics. It does not get any better than teaching A2 Development
> Economics and I like the final synoptic pre issued stimulus materials on
> Europe that brings it all together.
>
> No need at all to worry about point PES. Every emphasis on using economic
> concepts to understand analyse and evaluate real world problems.
>
> Horses for courses my friend. Next year at WGS we have equal numbers for
> econ and biz and both courses are seen as relevant and good choices.
>
> Regards
>
> Richard Young
> AST Teacher of Business Studies, Economics & ICT
> Deputy Head of VI Form - Year 12
> Wood Green School
> Woodstock Road
> Witney OX28 1DX
>
> Tel 01993 702355
> Fax 01993 774961
>
> www.woodgreen.oxon.sch.uk
> BECTa/Guardian Secondary School Web Site of the Year 2001
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Economics, business, and related subjects
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adrian Lyons
> Sent: 11 May 2003 16:31
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Price Elasiticity of supply
>
> While recognising the need to encourage student enquiry, independent
> learning and intellectual stimulation, it just occurs to me that this
issue
> is a wonderful example of the reasons for the very sad decline in
Economics
> and its replacement by what is perceived to be the more relevant subject
of
> business studies.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Dave Sowden [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:   11 May 2003 10:30
> To:     [log in to unmask]
> Subject:        Re: Price Elasiticity of supply
>
> I followed the link Duncan provided and discovered this on page 18
>
> "- the more inelastic is supply - the greater the burden to buyers."
>
> Now I confess I did not follow John's original posting too closely but I
> have always understood that defining tax incidence as Change in
> Price/Change
> in Tax,  allows us to deduce that
>
> Tax Incidence = Elasticity of Supply/Elasticity of Supply + Elasticity of
> Demand
>
> Thus as Elasticity of Demand increases, the burden of taxation on the
> consumer decreases.  On the other hand as the Elasticity of Supply
> increases
> and ultimately approaches infinity, Elasticity of Demand becomes very
small
> in comparison, and the consumer has to bear the entire burden of taxation.
>
> In other words, cet par, the more elastic supply is, the greater the
burden
> on consumers.
>
> Dave Sowden
> Raffles Junior College
> Singapore
>
>
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