Economics Teaching Professor Served as Grader, Judge for the International Economics Olympiad

Economics Teaching Professor Joe Calhoun, Ph.D., served as a grader and judge for the 2024 International Final of the Economics Olympiad from September 1 – 3, 2024, in Ancient Olympia, Greece.

Teaching Professor Joe Calhoun speaking at the International Final of the Economics Olympiad.
Teaching Professor Joe Calhoun speaking at the International Final of the Economics Olympiad.

The International Final of the Economics Olympiad took place at the International Olympic Academy in Greece, welcoming 85 finalists from 18 countries. The event, organized by the Czech Institute for Economic Education (INEV), continues to promote economic literacy among high school students worldwide.

The competition itself was divided into three parts. In the first part, students tackled nine open-ended questions on economics and finance, totaling 90 points. The second part consisted of 45 multiple-choice questions, which were also worth 90 points. Finally, the top 10 students, based on their combined scores in Parts A and B, went on to Part C, which involved an oral examination in front of a panel of experts.

Among these experts was Joseph Calhoun, director of the Stavros Center at Florida State University and co-author of Common Sense Economics, which helps readers understand how the economy works and how to make better voting, career, and financial choices.

“The event was an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience,” Calhoun said. “Seeing students from many countries engaged and excited about economics was very encouraging.”

Dr. Calhoun is a teaching professor in the Department of Economics and the director of the Gus A. Stavros Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Economic Education at Florida State University.

He currently teaches economics and personal finance classes. Calhoun’s participation in the International Economics Olympiad aligns with FSU’s focus on encouraging faculty across campus to participate in events where they can showcase their expertise and why it’s crucial, especially on a global scale.

The Department of Economics is the largest department in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. It offers all prospective students an undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral program. For more information about the economics program, visit cosspp.fsu.edu/economics. For more information about the Stavros Center, visit cosspp.fsu.edu/stavros.