economics education, reimagined
Episode 5. Plastic Bag (Externalities)
The use of plastic bags creates a negative externality-an external cost that is imposed on non-users or bystanders not a part of the market interaction. Reducing these negative externalities can be accomplished with taxes or fees, command-and-control standards, and nudges.
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Video
Videos show real-world case studies of applied economics research. These short and engaging videos, running approximately 5 minutes, are designed to be shown in class.
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Research Brief
The research brief provides more information on scholars featured in the video and conducting related research. Summarizing the key economics concept of the episode and providing background on the experts, these research briefs are intended to be used as a student handout with the video.​
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Discussion and Extension Questions
The lesson plan provides brief background information on the topic to help instructors prepare before showing the video and connect it to their principles course. The activities included are scalable to classes of any size, and include a variety of discussion prompts, multiple choice and true/false questions, a supporting graph, and ideas to extend the lesson.
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Episode in a Graph
The podcast offers a way to extend the lesson. Instructors may give students an assignment to the podcast summary and reflect: What do you note here that you did not when watching the video?
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Podcast
The podcast offers a way to extend the lesson. Instructors may give students an assignment to the podcast summary and reflect: What do you note here that you did not when watching the video?
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References
This list of references includes the work of experts featured in our videos and related studies cited throughout the episode and in the curriculum materials. Together, they provide the empirical foundation for the episode, drawing on both the latest academic research and the contributions of leading scholars in the field.
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