New economics and media course offered at UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC Okanagan launches Economics and the Media, the first campus course of its type open to students across the university.

In today’s Information Age, media is everywhere. As the digital revolution continues to unfold and new global markets emerge, new media has become a growing economic influence.

Within this context, UBC Okanagan is launching Economics and the Media, the first course of its type open to students across the university, regardless of their program of study.

Available in January 2018, the interdisciplinary course will draw together students from every faculty and discipline, from economics and political science to management and media studies.

Julien Picault, instructor of economics, at UBC's Okanagan campus.

“This course is ideal for highly-motivated students seeking to gain supplementary practical experience with economics,” says Julien Picault, instructor of economics, who is leading the course design.

Taking a broad perspective, the course will cover the multifaceted nature of economics. Students will also have the chance to submit articles to KelownaNow, a partnered local media outlet for possible publication.

“Students will have the opportunity to expand on the theoretical models learned in previous courses by researching and writing media articles exploring the practical role of economics in the community,” Picault adds.

Picault says students may be surprised at the interactive nature of the course, noting there is a lot more to it than taking notes during class.

“Rather than traditional lectures, the course will include group discussions, brainstorming, group research and experimental learning,” says Picault. “This is an outcome-based course. Students will be expected to produce high-quality articles worthy of publication.”

Students will be held not only to UBC standards but also to those of the media outlet, providing a better understanding of workplace expectations.

Picault is one of two 2017 recipients of the Curricular Innovation Award, which provides faculty in the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences up to $10,000 to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Open to all UBC students and starting January 2018, the new Economics and the Media course (ECON 391) requires completed prerequisites in Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 101) and Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 102).

Registration opens in June and specific details can be found at: students.ok.ubc.ca/enrolment-services/course-registration/registration-dates

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