Teacher Guides by Subject Business / Economy

The Alternative Fix
Using this guide, students can explore the popularity of alternative medicine, research the development of the Federal Drug Administration and examine how literature and media influence public policy. (Original airdate: Nov. 6, 2003)

Can You Afford to Retire?
Students will become familiar with how a 401(k) plan works and the risks and ramifications of retirement planning. (Original airdate: May 16, 2006)

China in the Red
Students will learn about globalization and economic reforms in China and explore the country's unique blend of socialism and capitalism, and its effects on its citizens. (Original airdate: Feb. 13, 2003)

College, Inc.
Analyze procedures used by policy makers to negotiate rules and deliberate about complex issues. (Original airdate: May. 4, 2010)

Flying Cheap
Explore the airline industry’s common practice of outsourcing flights to regional carriers. (Original airdate: Feb. 9, 2010)

HEAT
Conduct a cost/benefit analysis on the political, economic, and social costs associated with business and governments addressing global climate change. (Original Airdate October 21, 2008)

Inside the Meltdown
Students analyze how credit scores impact consumer loans and the process of borrowing to buy a home.

Is Wal-Mart Good for America?
Students will examine the costs and benefits of outsourcing for consumers, manufacturers, retailers and workers in the United States. (Original airdate: Nov. 16, 2003)

The Madoff Affair
Students will learn to look at financial information for characteristics that make for good investments.

Merchants of Cool
This film and guide trace the tactics, techniques, and cultural ramifications of the marketing of mass culture to teenagers. Students will develop media literacy skills by exploring corporate marketing techniques and analyzing media sources. (Original airdate: Feb. 27, 2001)

The Meth Epidemic
Using this guide, students will understand how and why meth use has spread across the U.S., and learn about the dangers of meth addiction. (Original airdate: Feb. 27, 2001)

The Other Drug War
This guide will help students consider the debate over prescription drug pricing, the government's role in regulating drug prices, concepts of media literacy and the role of these concepts in pharmaceutical advertising. (Original airdate: June 19, 2003)

The Persuaders
This guide allows students to explore the role of advertising, marketing, and branding in both the topics they are studying and their communities. (Original airdate: November 9, 2004)

The Secret History of the Credit Card
Students will learn about how the credit industry has evolved over the past 30 years and become more familiar with the consequences of debt. (Original airdate: November 23, 2004)

The Tank Man
Using this guide, students will become familiar with what happened at Tiananmen Square in June 1989, as well as the overall social, economic and political reforms that China has undergone over the past thirty years, and the impact of censorship on the dissemination of information. (Original airdate: April 11, 2006)

Ten Trillion and Counting
This activity includes and overview of important economic terms related to government budgeting and how government pays its debt.