This advanced version of SS201 presents the basic principles of economic analysis with a greater focus on their application to contemporary economic problems. SS251 sections capitalize on the ability of high-performing Cadets to quickly grasp fundamental economic concepts by extending SS201 lesson objectives to more complex and ambiguous economic environments. Additionally, SS251 instructors exercise discretion in altering instructor exercises and assignments to meet the interests and abilities of their individual sections. The course is organized into two primary branches: microeconomics, the study of the behavior of individuals, households, and firms in making decisions in a market economy and the application of this theory to contemporary issues in both domestic and global markets; and macroeconomics, the study of the performance, structure, and behavior of the whole economy including issues of national income, output, consumption, unemployment, inflation, as well as fiscal and monetary policy. In addition, the course includes instruction on personal finance, focusing specifically on major purchase decisions (home and auto), insurance, basic investing, and investing for retirement. This instruction is intended not only to improve individual financial decision-making but also to equip Cadets with the ability to address the financial issues of their future Soldiers. Cadets develop analytical tools in order to assess the economic implications of policy decisions by military and government officials and to improve their own decision-making process.
