Students with teacher in home economics cooking class. Prairie Farms, Alabama. Homemaking in the US has been a foundational piece of the education system, particularly for women. These homemaking courses, called home economics, have had a prevalent presence in secondary and higher education since the 19th century. By definition, home economics is - the art and science of home management - meaning that the discipline incorporates both creative and technical aspects into its teachings. Home economics courses often consist of learning how to cook, how to do taxes, and how to perform child care tasks. Marion Post Wolcott, 1939 (cropped and cleaned).