ECONOMICS

Mr. Whitwam

twhitwam@aptoshs.net

 

 

Course Description:

This course examines the fundamental problem that all individuals, families, communities, and even nations must face:  how to maximize the use of limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants.  The course will address one fundamental problem (scarcity) on two levels:  how individuals manage their resources and how nations manage their resources.

 

Textbook/Materials:

Economics:  Principles and Practices, Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 1999.  All of your work will be kept in your notebook unless otherwise stated by the teacher.  If handouts are provided they needed to be glued in to the appropriate sections. 

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:

 

Homework:

Reading assignments and written work will be assigned every class period and are due the following day at the beginning of the period.  Any student who does not have their work done at that point will not receive credit for their work.

 

Projects:

Two projects will be assigned during the semester.  They will each require you to work inside as well as outside of school.  The projects will have group as well as individual grades.

 

Current Events:

Current Events will be assigned every Monday and will be due on Friday.  There is a specific format to follow which you received the first semester.  If you choose not to follow the format then you will lose points on this assignment.

 

Notes:

Some assignments given are to read and take notes.  This is required in order to have a proper class discussion.  If you do not do this assignment then a score of a zero will be given.

 

Essays:

Essays will be assigned most every unit.  These are not traditional essays but economic analysis essays.  You will be taught how to “write” these essays and this format is expected for every essay assigned.

 

 

Participation:

Every day you are in class you are learning from discussions and the daily activities.  You will receive points for being in class and learning/participating.  If you miss class and it is excused then you may still make up these points by doing an additional current event.  If you are on a school related function you do not need to do the additional current event assignment; you will still receive the participation points for that day.

 

Testing:

Test will be given at the end of each unit and will be comprised of multiple choice problems, graphing, and economic essays.  If you miss a test with an excused absence then it must be made up within two days.  If your absence is unexcused or you do not make up the test within two days then you will receive a zero on your test.

 

Quizzes:

Reading Quizzes will be given with most all note taking assignments.  On these quizzes students may use their notes.  Other quizzes such as vocabulary, graphing, or analysis students will not be allowed to use notes.

 

Final Exam:

The final exam will be the last assignment given.  It will be made up of multiple choice questions, graphing, and essays.

 

Grades:

Grades will be figured on a weighted system for the entire semester (not by averaging the quarters together).

                        Tests:               30%

                        Quizzes:          10%

                        Final:               20%

                        HW:                  5%

                        Current Event:  5%

                        Projects:          10%

                        Participation:     5%

                        Essays:            10%

                        Notes:                5%

 

The class is heavily weighted on mastery – tests, quizzes, and final exam.  This is done so students can demonstrate their knowledge of the topic and not just how well they can copy from a book.

 

 

Classroom Rules:

    1. No eating, drinking, wearing hats, or listening to (or having out) electronic devices.
    2. Tardies are not accepted.  If you come late points will be deducted from your bell assignments.
    3. No late work accepted except for an excused absence. 
    4. If you miss a test you must make it up the day you return.
    5. No extra credit assigned.
    6. I have the right to remove you from class if I believe your behavior is interrupting the learning process of others.

 

Classroom Management:

a.       Sit in your assigned seat

b.      Get right to work

c.       Don’t disrupt the learning of others

d.      Listen to directions/explanations/rules; this means be quiet and listen to me.

 

Units of Study

Fundamental Economic Concepts

·         Chapter 1:  What is Economics

·         Chapter 2:  Economic Systems

·         Chapter 3:  Economic Institutions

Introduction to Microeconomics

·         Chapter 4:  Demand

·         Chapter 5:  Supply

·         Chapter 6:  Prices

·         Chapter 7:  Competition, the Market, and the role of the Government

Macroeconomic Institutions

·         Chapter 8:  Employment, Labor, and Wages

·         Chapter 9:  Taxes

·         Chapter 10:  Government Spending

·         Chapter 11:  Money and Banking

·         Chapter 12:  Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy

·         Chapter 13:  Investments

Macroeconomic Policies

·         Chapter 14:  GDP

·         Chapter 15:  Population, Economic Growth, the Business Cycle

·         Chapter 16:  Unemployment

·         Chapter 17:  Achieving Economic Stability

International Economics

·         Chapter 18:  International Trade