Wednesday 30 May 2012

Something Awesome



UW Economics Society presents something awesome (via YouTube and GOOD Magazine)

I know University of Waterloo students need a mind-break!

In a time where there's a free flow of information why is education so static?  For me, this video answers some of those questions.  The next level of awesome this video brings is how it references collaboration.  That very word is in our mandate, coincidence?  I can see words from the future...

The video suggests we could become more motivated to learn by using video games (not something new).  I personally want more games in classrooms but not Angry Birds.  The physicists would have you fooled, you learn nothing in that game!  The best part of the entire video, however, is when Dr. Sugata Mitra asks if math will become a sport. Haha!  There are many good ideas in this video and you might want to keep it in mind while sitting in class.  Are you learning?  Are you motivated to do so?

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Experience Exchange



UW Economics Society presents some commentary!

Waterloo Economics students you must watch the above video to fully understand the awesomeness I am about to sell you.  Can you imagine not having your Ye's sushi?  Even the iPads are gone?!  Why would the government do this to those businesses and its citizens?

The Argentina government claims to be stimulating local businesses and industries but the article shows at least some businesses and employees hurt.  At the heart of the story is Argentina's trade balance.

What is a trade balance?  What does that have to do with a trade surplus and why is Argentina so interested in holding it?  The video mentions the resulting deficit is structural, what does that mean?  How and why does Argentina use it's surplus to buy fuel?  This seems very close to the idea of "Buy American" except enforced by a government, why does the Argentina government believe its necessary?

There are just so many questions but all the answers and more can be found in a course, ECON 231 Introduction to International Economics!

You should seriously consider taking ECON 231.  If you are really interested in the topics covered in this video you may also want to consider ECON 436 and 488.

My other blog post about ECON 231 Sharing our Loonie. Check it out! 

Friday 18 May 2012

King Street Tour


Hey University of Waterloo Students!

The UW Economics Society invites you to our spring term "King Street Tour." It is scheduled for the 31st! Come out and get a chance to socialize and to meet your fellow economists for some drinks, good times and conversation!

Our route 
Meeting at SCH at 7:30pm
Heuther Hotel Patio: 8:00pm-9:30pm
Embassy: 9:30pm-10:30pm
Chainsaw: 10:30pm-11:30pm
McMullans: 11:30pm-2:00am

We'll be selling T-SHIRTS in the UW Economics Society Office in Hagey Hall 128 - come get one anytime tomorrow or when we meet up!

Check out the Facebook event and let us know you are coming. UW Economics Society King Street Tour

Assuming you have the t-shirt, Were going to have free food for you guys at Heuther, free cover/line bypass at Embassy, VIP section and cheaper food/cheap drinks! Line bypass at chainsaw with cheaper pitchers and food, and discounts on food at Mcmullans! You need to show the bars your shirts if you want the discounts/bypass and free cover. See you guys tomorrow!

Thursday 17 May 2012

Games Night!



The UW Economics Society is hosting a Games Night

*May 24 @ 7 pm in HH124*
ATTN: date has been changed to thursday!

We will be playing some good old fashioned board games with your fellow Waterloo econ students! We will provide snacks and refreshments. Games will include: Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, cards, Risk, etc. If you have a specific game you want to play, bring it!

Facebook Event
UW Economics Society Games Night

Can't make it out?  Check out our next event in the making: King Street Tour

Thursday 10 May 2012

Library Help



UW Economics Society Recap!

If you missed out on the super informative session on CANSIM and ODESI with the Economics Librarian Sandra Keys we have got you covered!  Our website has what you need to complete your Senior Honours Essay or Economics other projects!

The relevant links are below:

Subject Guides

We plan on having this information session at the beginning of every term so be on the look out if you are interested in a more hands-on experience!

If you have any questions be sure to contact Sandra, she's got your back!  You can also ask me @uWaterlooEcon but I will offer genuine shoulder shrugs and share in your confusion.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Sharing our Loonie


A while back there was some talk about Iceland adopting the Loonie.  I read an article on The Economist declaring that few barriers exist for Iceland adopting the Loonie.  Also for the most part, Icelanders were split down the middle between adopting the Euro vs the Loonie.

There is a link back to the University of Waterloo here!  Robert Mundell, famous for the Mundell-Fleming Model we learn in ECON 202, won a Nobel prize for his work on Optimal Currency Areas.  How is this a connection?  He taught here! 

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!


How can one country just adopt our Loonie?  What does this mean for Canada?  Where would we find more information about this?  A great place to start is ECON 231. Ah HA! You thought this article would be enlightening but you were wrong!

I have taken ECON 231 with Prof Bloemhof and I enjoyed it.  It's a bit different than the courses we are used to as university students but experiencing something different, new and exciting can't be all bad, right?  If you want more of the regular flavour I have spoken with Prof Blit and he seems like a cool guy.

So if you are interested in Trade Theory and International Economics ECON 231 is offered every term!

Sources

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Info Session


The Economics Society is EXCITED to announce our first event of the term!

Are you doing a major project or essay this term and need your own data?  Confused on where to look for all this?  Have you ever had to manually enter values into an excel spreadsheet off the StatsCan website?

COME OUT to our information session on ODESI and CANSIM.  Both are databases filled with tables and tables of information.  They are accessible comfortably from home if you know how!  It will be presented by our charismatic Economics Librarian, Sandra Keys.



MONDAY MAY 7, 2012
10am - 1130am,  HH 280
Bring your Laptop if you want to follow along!

See you there!