1、1學(xué)術(shù)英語學(xué)術(shù)英語 社科社科Academic English for Social Sciences22 2EconomistJust as you cannot become a mathematician, psychologist, or lawyer overnight, learning to think like an economist will take time. However, what is the economists way of thinking? What does it mean to think like an economist? By learning

2、this unit, you will find the answers.3Unit 2Economics Lead-in Text A Text B Text C Listening Speaking WritingUnit Contents4 Lead-in Who studies economics?Unit 2Economics5Lead-inJust as you cannot become a mathematician overnight, study economics and learn to think like an economist will take time. H

3、owever who studies economics? Task 1 Listen to a talk “Who studies economics?” and complete the sentences.Unit 2Economics6Lead-inUnit 2Economics1 Economics can seem _ at first, but the field is fundamentally very _.2 Mick Jagger once studied at _.3 When asked in 2005 why The Rolling Stones were goin

4、g on tour again, Mick Jagger replied, “_.”abstractpracticalthe London School of EconomicsSupply and demand7Lead-inUnit 2EconomicsTask 2 Listen to the talk again and complete the following table.NameProfessionRonald ReganMichael KinsleySteve BallmerMick JaggerFormer President of the United States Jou

5、rnalistChief Executive Officer, Microsoft Singer for the Rolling Stones 8 Text ACritical reading and thinking Difficult sentences English language for academic purpose Specialized vocabulary Collocations Formal and informal English Signpost languageUnit 2Economics9Text ACritical reading and thinking

6、 of Text AUnit 2EconomicsText AnalysisThesis: Economics is a science. The economist works as a scientist.10Text ACritical reading and thinking of Text AUnit 2Economics1 Science and scientists have its own language, e.g. math, psychology, law. Economics and economists are the same, e.g. supply, deman

7、d, elasticity, consumer surplus.2 Science and scientists use scientific method, e.g. observation, devise theories, collect data, analyze, test, shown with the example of Isaac Newton.Economics and economists are the same; they use observation and theory, e.g. a theory of inflation.11Text ACritical r

8、eading and thinking of Text AUnit 2EconomicsNatural sciences or Social sciences?Economics is a social science.12Text ADifficult sentencesUnit 2Economicsl “The whole of science is nothing more than the refinement of everyday thinking.” (Para. 4) “Science is all just about improving everyday thinking.

9、” 13Text ADifficult sentencesUnit 2Economicsl Yet, despite this lack of realism indeed, because of this lack of realism studying these models is useful for learning how the human body works. (Para. 13) Yet, although the models are not exactly the same as real bodies actually just because they are no

10、t that realistic they are useful to help people learn how the human body works.14Text ADifficult sentencesUnit 2Economicsl These models are stylized, and they omit many details. (Para. 13) These models are artificial rather than realistic, and they dont take many details into consideration.15Text AD

11、ifficult sentencesUnit 2Economicsl Yet, despite this lack of realism indeed, because of this lack of realism studying these models is useful for learning how the human body works. (Para. 13) Yet, although the models are not exactly the same as real bodies actually just because they are not that real

12、istic they are useful to help people learn how the human body works.16Specialized vocabulary l elasticity _l comparative advantage _l consumer surplus _l deadweight loss _l high inflation_l quantity of money _ l long-run effects of the policy _Text AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economi

13、cs（需求等的）彈性（需求等的）彈性比較優(yōu)勢比較優(yōu)勢消費過剩消費過剩凈損失凈損失高通脹高通脹貨幣量貨幣量長期政策效應(yīng)長期政策效應(yīng)17Specialized vocabulary l 經(jīng)濟政策制定者 _l 貨幣流通量 _l 供需供需 _l 貨幣政策 _Text AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economicseconomic policymaker amount of currency in circulation supply and demandmonetary policy18CollocationsText AEnglish la

14、nguage for academic purposel address the subjectl devise / verify / refute theoriesl collect / analyze / generate datal the interplay between observation and theoryl doubt the validity of the theoryl face an obstaclel make do withl find a substitute for l simplify the complex world / realityl in cir

15、culationl omit detailsUnit 2Economics19Signpost languagecause and effect: clue words to indicate cause and effect: because therefore the reason consequently lead to, result from as a result is due to as a consequenceText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economics20Signpost languagel Signp

16、ost language to introduce the topic: The main issues addressed in this paper are This study critically examines The objective of this paper is to . The purpose of this investigation is to . The aim of this paper is to . This paper reports on the results obtained Text AEnglish language for academic p

17、urposeUnit 2Economics21Signpost languagel Signpost language to introduce the topic: This study was designed to . This paper argues that . The rest of this paper is organized in the following way . This paper is structured as follows . The remainder of this paper is divided into five sections . This

18、paper begins by It will then go on to Finally, Text AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economics22Formal and informal EnglishText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economics1 Whenever Id visited there before, Id ended up feeling that it would be futile if I tried to do anything mo

19、re.Change the following sentences into a more formal style of writing. Every previous visit had left me with a sense of the futility of further action on my part. 23Formal and informal EnglishText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economics2 The cities in Switzerland had once been peaceful

20、, but they changed when people became violent. Change the following sentences into a more formal style of writing. Violence changed the face of once peaceful Swiss cities.24Formal and informal EnglishText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economics3 Because the technology has improved its

21、less risky than it used to be when you install them at the same time, and it doesnt cost so much either. Change the following sentences into a more formal style of writing. Improvements in technology have reduced the risks and high costs associated with simultaneous installation.25Formal and informa

22、l EnglishText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 2Economics4 The people in the colony rejoiced when it was promised that things would change in this way.Change the following sentences into a more formal style of writing. Opinion in the colony greeted the promised change with enthusiasm.26The

23、 tree diagram below shows how the author illustrates his points. Fill in the blanks according to the text.Text ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsThe economist works as a(n) _Thinking like an economistCritical reading and thinkingUsing scientific methods, such as: scientistmake observations, devise th

24、eories, collect data, and analyze them.Using different _to answer different questions.assumptions Building simplified _to examinevarious economic issues.models 27Answer the following questions.Text ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsCritical reading and thinking1 What kind of rhetoric device does the

25、author use in the first two paragraphs?Analogy.2 What is the topic sentence of Paragraph 3?Economists try to address their subject with a scientists objectivity.3 Why does the author quote Albert Einstein?To support his idea about the essence of science.4 Why is Newtons theory still taught in underg

26、raduate physics courses around the world?Because Newtons theory is so successful at explaining observation.28Answer the following questions.Text ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsCritical reading and thinking5 What kind of obstacles do economists face when they use theory and observation like other s

27、cientists?It is often difficult and impossible to conduct experiments.6 How do economists find a substitute for laboratory experiments?They pay close attention to the natural experiments offered by history.7 For what reason do economists make assumptions?Because assumptions can simplify the complex

28、world and make it easier to understand.8 What do economic models consist of?They consist of diagrams and equations.9 What do all models in physics, biology, and economics share in common?They simplify reality to improve our understanding of it.29Language building-upText ASuggested answersUnit 2Econo

29、micsTask 1 Specialized vocabulary2Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the terms in the parative advantage consumer surplusdeadweight loss high inflationmonetary policy supply and demand 1 Taxes have _ because they cause buyers to consume less and sellers to produce less.deadwei

30、ght loss2 The tools _ of allow you to analyze many of the most important events and policies that shape the economy.supply and demand3 _ is a good measure of economic well-being if policymakers want to respect the preferences of buyers.Consumer surplus30Language building-upText ASuggested answersUni

31、t 2EconomicsTask 1 Specialized vocabulary2Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the terms in the parative advantage consumer surplusdeadweight loss high inflationmonetary policy supply and demand 4 In the 1970s, when the world experienced a relatively _, opinion polls often place

32、d inflation as the most important issue facing the nation.high inflation5 It is the role of a central bank an institution designed to oversee the banking system, to carry out _, and regulate the quantity of money in the economy.monetary policy31Language building-upText ASuggested answersUnit 2Econom

33、icsTask 1 Specialized vocabulary2Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the terms in the parative advantage consumer surplusdeadweight loss high inflationmonetary policy supply and demand comparative advantage6 Trade can benefit everyone in society because it allows people to spec

34、ialize in activities in which they have a _.32Language building-upText ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsTask 1 Signpost languageComplete the following sentences with the correct form of the words and expressions in the above box. There may be more than one correct answer.1 Karlins novels _ his exper

35、ience in the Vietnam War.resulted from2 Months of secret talks with the rebels finally _ the release of the hostages.resulted in3 Animals have died _ of coming into contact with this chemical.as a consequence4 _ we didnt consider her for the job was that she didnt have enough experience.The reason33

36、Language building-upText ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsTask 1 Signpost languageComplete the following sentences with the correct form of the words and expressions in the above box. There may be more than one correct answer.Consequently7 _ of last weeks blackouts was a large power plant suddenly g

37、oing offline in Northern California.5 Most computer users have never received any formal keyboard training. _ their keyboard skills are inefficient.6 Jewish weddings are both religious and civil. _ two official applications for marriage are necessary.ThereforeThe cause8 Between 1990 and 1992, there

38、were more than 1,000 mergers in that industry all of which _ job losses.led to34Language building-upText ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsTask 3 Formal EnglishReplace the underlined words in the following sentences with the ones that are more daily-life.1 At first, this new language may seem needles

39、sly arcane.secretKey:2 Economists try to address their subject with a scientists objectivity.Key:study3 They approach the study of the economy in much the same way as a physicist approaches the study of matter and a biologist approaches the study of life.Key:deal with4 They devise theories, collect

40、data, and then analyze these data in an attempt to verify or refute their theories.Key:invent35Language building-upText ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsTask 3 Formal EnglishReplace the underlined words in the following sentences with the ones that are more daily-life.5 To beginners, it can seem odd

41、 to claim that economics is a science.strange Key:6 Most people are not accustomed to looking at society through the eyes of a scientist.Key:used7 This observation motivated Newton to develop a theory of gravity that applies not only to an apple falling to the earth but to any two objects in the uni

42、verse.Key:drove36Language building-upText ASuggested answersUnit 2EconomicsTask 3 Formal EnglishReplace the underlined words in the following sentences with the ones that are more daily-life.8 By contrast, economists studying inflation are not allowed to manipulate a nations monetary policy simply t

43、o generate useful data.controlKey:10 And this opportunity persists long after the wartime increase in oil prices is over.Key:continues to exist9 For consumers of oil and oil products, such an event depresses living standards.Key:reduces37 Text B Lead in Key terms Critical reading Difficult sentences

44、 English language for academic purposeUnit 2Economics38Text BReading critically: questions for discussionUnit 2EconomicsDiscuss the following questions:Life is regarded as a game. Do you agree? Why or why not?Lead-in 39Text BKey termsUnit 2Economicsl Game theory :the modeling of economic decisions b

45、y games whose outcome depends on the decisions taken by two or more agents, each having to make decisions without information on what choices the others are making.40Text BKey termsUnit 2Economicsl Competitive strategies (競爭策略競爭策略): unbeatable strategies used in the context of the fact that everyone

46、 else is also looking for them.E.g. cooperation, or everybody playing the same way; behave differently from one another41Text BKey termsUnit 2Economicsl Evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS) (進(jìn)化穩(wěn)定策略進(jìn)化穩(wěn)定策略):a strategy which, if adopted by a population of players, cannot be invaded by any alternative

47、 strategy that is initially rare. An ESS is an equilibrium refinement of the Nash equilibrium.42Text BKey termsUnit 2Economicsl Rational human choice:people will adjust their behavior in order to maximize their gains. l Nash equilibrium: 納什均衡納什均衡a solution concept of a game involving two or more pla

48、yers, in which each player is assumed to know the equilibrium strategies of the other players, also no player has anything to gain by changing only his own strategy unilaterally.43Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsComparison between the two schools of researchersAnimal behavioristsEc

49、onomistsEvolutionarily stable strategies Implication：the way the strategies are played has been hardwired into the participants by the processes of natural selectionNash equilibriumImplication: adjust their behavior to maximize their gains44Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsDr Kurzba

50、n & Dr. Housers studyThey call the economists assumption into question.Their new assumption: it may be fruitful to work with the idea that human behavior, can sometimes be governed by evolutionarily stable strategies. 45Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsMaking an experiment:Publi

51、c-goods game 公共物品博弈公共物品博弈a standard of experimental economics; in the basic game subjects secretly choose how many of their private tokens to put into the public pot. Each subject keeps the tokens they do not contribute plus an even split of the tokens in the pot.l Methods (see page 35, Para 4): fou

52、r players; interacted via a computer; virtual tokens redeemable for money46Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsMaking an experiment:l Game rules (see page 35, Para 4): A player could keep some or all of the tokens and any not kept were put into a pool, to be shared among group members.

53、 The game continued for a random number of turns. l At the end of the game (see page 35, Para 4): The value of the pool was doubled and was divided into four equal parts and given to the player, along with the value of any tokens they had held on to.47Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2Economi

54、csMaking an experiment:lThree approaches a player can take (see page 35, Para 5):Cooperate with his opponents to maximize group benefitsFree-ride (i.e., try to sucker cooperators)Reciprocate (i.e., cooperate with those who show signs of being cooperative, but not with free-riders)48Text BCritical re

55、ading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsMaking an experiment:lResults: (see page 35, Para 7):Of 84 participants, 81 fell into one of the three categories.Researchers ask these 81 participants to play games again to test whether they change strategy. And they did not.3. Peoples behaviors are clear-cut, stra

56、tegies stay stable with the same average payoffs.49Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsMaking an experiment:lConclusions (see page 35, Para 8):It suggests that peoples approaches to cooperate with their fellows are indeed evolutionarily stable.Human behavior can sometimes be governed b

57、y evolutionarily stable strategies50Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsTask 1 Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.1 “Many people, it is said, regard life as a game.” Do you agree? Why or why not?2 What are the differences between behaviorists and economists in terms of g

58、ame theory? Use examples to illustrate them.3 What are the findings of Dr. Kurzban and Dr. Housers study? How did they illustrate their point?51Text BCritical reading and thinkingUnit 2EconomicsClassroom activity: Work in groups of 4 and play the public goods game a Dr. Kurzaban and Dr. Houser did.

59、You may refer to Task 3 on Page 37.52Text BDifficult sentencesUnit 2Economicsl Each player was given a number of virtual tokens, redeemable for money at the end of the game. (Para.4) Each player was given some virtual tokens which were changed into real money at the end of the game. (Real money was

60、given to motivate the participants to take the game seriously.)53Text BDifficult sentencesUnit 2Economicsl Individual strategies are not expected to be equally represented in a population. Instead, they should appear in proportions that equalize their payoffs to those who play them. (Para. 6) Generally