How to Use This Site¶
This site is your interactive companion for the Ideas in Economics course. It is designed to be used alongside classroom sessions, but it also works as a standalone self-study resource. Here is how to get the most out of it.
How the Site Is Organized¶
The site has the following main sections, accessible from the navigation tabs at the top of every page:
| Section | What You Will Find |
|---|---|
| Modules | Six learning modules, each built around a film and a Nobel laureate. Every module contains concept explanations, a film analysis guide, a Nobel Focus profile, a self-assessment quiz, and additional resources. |
| Indian Context | Five essays connecting course topics to the Indian economy --- informality, Digital India, NREGA, GST, and climate commons. |
| Interactive Sims | 30+ browser-based simulations organized by module, covering everything from supply and demand to the tragedy of the commons. |
| Economist Stories | Biographical narratives of 15 influential economists, from Adam Smith to Esther Duflo, organized by module relevance. |
| Glossary | 120+ economic terms with definitions and examples, searchable and cross-referenced. |
| References | Suggested textbooks and additional readings from the Calibre library. |
Recommended Workflow¶
For each module, follow this sequence:
- Read the module content. Start with the module's main page, which introduces the core economic concepts for that topic.
- Watch the film. Each module is anchored on a specific film. Watch it before or alongside reading the module --- the film analysis guide will help you spot the economic ideas embedded in the narrative.
- Read the Nobel Focus. Understand how a Nobel laureate's research connects to the module's theme.
- Explore the simulations. Open the interactive sims linked to that module. Adjust sliders, change parameters, and observe how economic models respond. These are the best way to build intuition.
- Take the quiz. Each module ends with a 10-question self-assessment. Use it to check your understanding before moving on.
- Read the Indian Context essay. See how the module's concepts apply to India's economy and policy landscape.
You do not need to complete all steps in a single sitting. The site saves no progress, so bookmark pages you want to return to.
Using Search¶
The search bar (top of every page, or press ++s++ on your keyboard) is one of the most useful features. Type any economic term, film title, economist's name, or concept, and the site will show matching results across all sections with highlighted snippets.
Search suggestions appear as you type, making it easy to jump directly to the right page.
Navigating Between Sections¶
- Top navigation tabs switch between major sections (Modules, Indian Context, Sims, Stories, etc.).
- The left sidebar shows the pages within the current section. In the Modules section, you can expand each module to see its sub-pages (Content, Film, Nobel, Quiz, Resources).
- The right sidebar (on wider screens) shows the table of contents for the current page, so you can jump to any heading.
- The "Back to top" button appears when you scroll down --- click it to return to the top of any long page.
- Dark mode is available via the brightness toggle icon in the header bar.
About the Interactive Simulations¶
The interactive simulations on this site are drawn from Dan McCreary's Introduction to Economics open textbook, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
When you click a simulation link, it opens on the McCreary site in a new tab. The simulations run entirely in your browser --- no installation or login is required. They work best on a laptop or desktop screen, though most are functional on tablets as well.
Each simulation includes brief instructions. Experiment freely: adjust inputs, observe outputs, and try to predict what will happen before you make a change. That habit of prediction and verification is at the heart of economic reasoning.