The Stock Market

 "The teacher was very knowledgeable and was excited to teach the class."

- Hersh Solanki, 2012

Course Description

With an increasing complexity, financial markets exert a powerful presence in our lives and are central to the functioning of our economy. What role does the stock market play and how does it function? What factors govern stock market behavior and lead to market booms and busts? How is the price of a company’s stock determined and how does it affect individual investors? This course introduces the basic financial principles necessary to understand the role of the stock market in our economy and in our personal lives.

Class time is divided between lecture and lab. Participants assume the role of money managers in order to gain an understanding of financial markets as they manage their own portfolio of stocks in a session-long stock market simulation game. Stock options and future contracts are added to the portfolio as the managers gain market expertise. Financial theories presented in class lectures, news of current and world events, and analysis of company reports are incorporated as the new money managers develop strategies to test their understanding of the market for stocks.

Participants are expected to bring laptops for this class.

Instructor(s)