The best way to gain further understanding about the American society, the culture of the business and professional world, or even the values and reasoning logics is to directly explore the subject of American business, finance, and economy and examine American law and relevant practices. This program provides the perfect pathway for those who will come to the US for undergraduate or graduate studies. It will be a productive time of going abroad to experience the world away from home and create new memories, ultimately reaping long-term benefits in the learning process.
- Business, Finance and the US Economy
(3 classes/week, 3.5 hours each, assignments 2‐4 hours/class)
- The Practice of Law(2 classes/week, 3.5 hours each, assignments 3‐5 hours/class)
Business, Finance and the US Economy
This course is a concentrated, practical and exciting introduction to business for high school students. Students will explore fundamental principles of finance and economics, including the basics of valuation, risk and return, and demand and supply. The course will emphasize real-world application through applied problems and projects, and guest speakers, including financial industry professionals and entrepreneurs. We will study how firms make decisions, the role of banks and markets, and we will explore timely macroeconomic topics such as government debt and deficits, currency fluctuation, recession, and financial and currency crises. Throughout, students will increase their financial literacy and gain tools for personal financial planning for college and beyond, including how interest accumulates, the pitfalls of credit, and understanding residential mortgage terms and risks. Students will find that the connections between these topics and the mathematical concepts they have learned in school will make their math classes more interesting and relevant.
The Practice of Law
This course will provide an overview of social institutions and functions addressed in the practice of law. Students will participate in each of the lawyer's roles: investigation, research, advocacy, negotiation, trial preparation, and dispute resolution. In the process, students will examine the nature and history of law, interrogate parties, argue hypothetical cases, arbitrate conflicts, and draft legal documents. This class will require active participation in lively classroom activities and projects, which will include simulated trials, oral argument, and case briefing. Students will be encouraged to participate freely in robust classroom discussions and debates, with a premium placed on the open exchange of ideas and opinions. The course will culminate in a mock trial conducted in a local courtroom before a judge. College-level texts will be used.