Finance 0001

Finance 0001 (Introduction to Financial Markets and the Global Economy) is one of the Wharton online for-credit courses offered within the Pre-baccalaureate Program.

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Overview

Course Description

FNCE 0001: Introduction to Financial Markets and the Global Economy

Economic arguments shape international events, government policies and business strategies. 
The Covid recession reduced the size of the world’s economies and output. Some of the 
questions we will be answering are: How do markets work? What does economic contraction 
look like? How are contractions/recessions connected to employment? How are exchange rates 
determined in global capital markets? We will introduce the policy options of government 
spending. We will discuss, as data becomes available, the continuing impact of the coronavirus on 
the domestic and the global economy. 
 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

  • Apply foundational knowledge acquired in class to actual global economic events. 
  • Understand causes and consequences of economic recessions and expansions.  
  • Identify financial markets’ response to world events. 

About the Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program

The Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program is an academically-intensive opportunity for exceptional high school juniors and seniors to enroll in Wharton online courses. Participants will learn from Wharton instructors, earn a Wharton transcript, and accrue college credit for each course completed. With six sessions to choose from and built-in academic support, students are encouraged to explore the depth and breadth of Wharton’s business education curriculum with maximum flexibility and the guidance and resources to succeed.

Details

Course Details

This course is delivered via video lectures, synchronous class sessions, and online discussions. To be successful, you must actively engage with ideas presented in the course, and with those posed by your classmates.  

Assessment is based upon active course participation, frequent assignments, quizzes, and exams.

Course Materials

Online:

There are 2 Web-Components to this course. The course Canvas site will be the source for all class materials and assignments. The Homework Software will be MyEconLab.

Textbook and Readings:

  • Course Textbook: Hubbard and O’Brien, Economics, 8th edition, Published by Pearson.
  • Several readings from popular media articles to enforce what we learn in class (on Canvas)

Course Content

Course Topics: 

  • How markets work 
  • Measuring income 
  • Economic growth and business cycles 
  • Financial markets 
  • Foreign exchange markets 

Synchronous Classes: 

Synchronous classes offer the opportunity to explore questions about the course and materials beyond the lectures through live interactions—via videoconference—with course faculty and your classmates. Live class sessions will meet twice weekly.  

Course Materials Fee:

None

See full tuition details here.

Requirements

Attendance: 

Course attendance and participation are expected on a regular basis.  

Technical Requirements:

In order to fully participate in this course, you will need a computer that meets minimum system requirements for both Canvas LMS and Zoom Videoconferencing. Refer to the following links:

All programming originates from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (Eastern Daylight Time).

Instructional Team

Instructor: Gizem Saka 

At the University of Pennsylvania since 2012, Prof. Saka is a senior lecturer, teaching undergraduate and MBA courses in economics, finance and art markets. 

Saka received the 2020 Teaching Excellence Award at the Wharton School of Business. Previous accolades include William G. Whitney Award for Distinguished Teaching at Wharton, Derek Bok Certificate of Distinction in Teaching at Harvard University, Howard and Abby Milstein Graduate Teaching Assistantship Award at Cornell University and Ernest Liu Family Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at Cornell University.  

Saka received her PhD in behavioral economics at Cornell University. An internationally exhibited fine artist, Saka’s primary research interest is art markets. Using statistical modeling, she consults with art collectors on selection of artworks that best fit existing portfolios, managing risk and return. Saka delivers lectures at museums and other public institutions as part of social contribution and responsibility. Her own work is in public and private collections worldwide. 

Location

Online

For more information, please contact wgyp-prebacc@wharton.upenn.edu or call +1.516.414.5555.
Please note that participation in Wharton Global Youth Programs does not guarantee admission to Penn.

Program Information:

View Pre-baccalaureate Courses by Session

“My favorite part of Pre-bacc was the wide array of current events articles that we read and discussed in class. The current events sources were not only interesting but they connected topics we learned in class to real-world problems. Moreover, through this academically-intense course, I have gained new insights to the world of business, especially in micro and macroeconomics and finance, and met so many accomplished, driven business enthusiasts.” - Diana Z., Vancouver, Canada

INCLUDED IN ALL SUMMER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Wharton Global Youth Meetup (GYM)

Wharton Global Youth Meetup (GYM) is a creative, co-curricular community open to summer students as a way to connect to one another — and Wharton — before, during, and after their programs. Featuring both live and independent programming, the GYM is designed to ensure virtual participants don’t miss out on valuable community building and networking. 

*The GYM is included in all online summer programs, except Understanding Your Money. 

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