“Socializing Economics:” Using Practical Applications to Enliven Economic Theory

Economics has traditionally been taught in a way that emphasizes the “science” side of social science. This article suggests ways to cover the concepts introduced in high school economics using discussions, simulations, and discovery-based techniques that bring the “social” back into social science. Through descriptions of five authentic economic scenarios, the authors provide examples of ways in which teachers can help their students become engaged with economic concepts without using traditional methods that students often find dull or difficult to understand.