This class describes what options contracts, or options on futures contracts are. It also answers what the difference is between a call option and a put option. What does it mean to go long or go short? Professor Carter describes the top U.S. exchanges, when they were founded and the primary trading instruments on each. Next, he describes similar international futures markets. Old-fashioned pit trading vs. electronic trading methods are described. Carter discusses the importance of futures markets on the world economy.