Economics relies heavily on graphical and mathematical analysis, tools which many students find particular difficulty in using.  As a result, students are often intimidated rather than stimulated by the prospect or process of learning economics. If their interest and intuition are not engaged, they are unlikely to pursue additional courses after an unpleasant first experience, or retain merely memorized information after the final exam. In addition, although different students learn best through hearing, seeing and doing, economics has been slow to adopt non-traditional teaching methods and so remains slanted towards those who learn by listening, tending to exclude or discourage those with alternate learning styles.

The use of films to supplement economics courses addresses the above issues in a number of ways. First, film is a powerful and engaging visual and audio medium for transmitting information. Second, complex and sometimes puzzling economic concepts can be more easily digested in example form, which can then be reinforced through class discussion. Ideally, concepts would be introduced via book or lecture mode, reinforced through film, and followed by discussion.  Third, students’ intuition and imagination would be engaged through the relating the concepts learned by reading or attending lectures.  Thus stimulated, students will move towards ownership of the material, implying long term retention of economic concepts.

Contemporary or “popular” films rather than “educational” ones are chosen due to both their higher probability of engaging students’ interest and their lower cost. Many educational videos are unavailable for rental and can cost upwards of $100, making them out of reach for the average adjunct faculty. Even the relatively lower cost PBS videos range from $20 to $50. In contrast, the films in the proposed capsules can be rented for as little as $3.99 at local video stores. Movies proposed will engage students through their storylines, but in the process, valuable economic lessons will be learned.