Download American Government

Principles of Economics
Ms. Jessica Gibson– Room 2308
[email protected]
Team teacher: Coach Guy Clarke
Course Description: Economics is all about making rational choices. Each day we weigh options
and make decisions. This course looks at how individuals, corporations and governments make
choices. The primary principles of economics that we will address are: fundamental concepts,
microeconomics, macroeconomics, free enterprise, governmental economic policy, international
economics and personal finance.
Textbook: Economics: Principles in Action by Prentice Hall ($51.47)
Class Requirements:
 You must pass this class in order to graduate!
 Bring items that you will need to be successful and able to participate in class for that
particular day. Such items include but are not limited to: pencils, pens, the textbook, your
notebook, paper, 2 packs of index cards, colored pencils and any work that has been
assigned.
Activator: Class begins when you walk into the classroom. Find the activator on the board and
begin working.
Notebook: You need one. The purpose of this class is to prepare you for college and the “real
world” as well. To survive in either of those elements you must be organized and know where
important documents are. Therefore, I ask that you have a notebook (at least one inch, three-ring
binder, not a spiral notebook) for government and you bring it with you each day.
Projects: We will have multiple projects during the span of this course. Some will be made for
individual work and others will require group work. You will receive advance notice for all these
assignments.
Cheating: Academic dishonesty is a form of disrespect to your classmates, yourself, and me.
Cheating of any form will not be tolerated, and will result in an automatic zero for the assignment.
If any further instances occur, the school policy will be strictly adhered to and the student will
receive a final average of 10% in the class.
Extra Credit: The teacher has discretion to create extra credit tasks individually and for the whole
of the course whenever they deem it worthy.
Grading:
All grades will be on the point system and as weighted as follows:
EOC: 20%
Summative Assessments: 60%
Formative Assessments: 20%
How do I “get an A”? Come to school, pay attention, contribute in class, do your work. You have
many support systems – the blog, Remind, unit introduction sheets, meaningful standards-based
creative assignments, etc. You have to really try hard to not do well in this class – don’t be that
guy.
Attendance: In order to effectively learn and follow the material, you must be present in class. It
can be very difficult to play catch up, so try to come to school whenever it is humanly possible; and
if you do you will be rewarded!!
Make Up Policy: My policy coincides with that of the school. You may make up all types of work
within two days of the missed assignment, if your absence is excused (you can find all excusable
absences in your handbook). FYI, make up tests will be different versions, and the taker will not
be eligible for the curve or use of bonus points. If you happen to miss a make up test, you will
automatically receive a zero for that grade. With that being said, I am not responsible for hunting
you down and endlessly reminding you to do your missed work…it is your responsibility! You
can/should get all the information about a missed assignment from a classmate or me.
The Supreme Court’s Restroom Policy: The Supreme Court has put to rest Luverne High School
student Jerry Boyett’s 1993 lawsuit over whether a public school student has a right, if he/she needs
it, to a restroom break during class. Answer: no, next case.
My Restroom Policy: If you need to go, you can go. Please do not abuse this privilege. You must
use your school agenda.
Tardy Policy: When the bell rings, you should be seated in my class. If you are not in class at that
time, than you are tardy. Do not knock on the door if it is shut, you will not be admitted simply by
giving me a sad-puppy face.
What’s Allowed/Not Allowed in the Classroom:
 Food/Drink: Water with a lid is allowed.
 Cell Phones: For instructional use. Prior permission required.
 Chewing Gum – Yes, but no massive bubbles please…to distracting.
 Sleeping – Come on, it is not that hard to stay awake!
Three Important Rules:
1.) Be on time and prepared, in other words be responsible
2.) Have an open mind
3.) Always be respectful and show cultural sensitivity (there is no leeway on this).
Respect: This includes various things such as:
- Not making fun of your classmates
- Not saying out loud, “this is boring” or “I don’t like this assignment”
- Not swearing. This has become a pet peeve of mine. Just because you think it is cool to say, does not mean
others wish to hear it.
If Rules are Broken: The first offense will result in a warning. The second time will be a detention and a call home.
The third time…let’s not even go there.
Course Outline: This course will be taught over 45 days. We will have to move very quickly in some areas and spend a little more time
in others. Our plan for the course, including applicable standards, is the following organized chronologically:
Unit 1: Introduction to Economics and Microeconomics
SSEF1 The student will explain why limited productive resources and unlimited wants result in scarcity, opportunity costs, and tradeoffs
for individuals, businesses and governments.
SSEF2 The student will give examples of how rational decision making entails comparing the marginal benefits and the marginal costs
of an action.
SSEF3 The student will explain how specialization and voluntary exchange between buyers and sellers increase the satisfaction of both
parties.
SSEF4 The student will compare and contrast different economic systems and explain how they answer the three basic economics
questions of what to produce, how to produce and for whom to produce.
SSEF5 The student will describe the roles of government in a market economy.
SSEF6 The student will explain how productivity, economic growth, and future standards of living are influenced by investment in
factories, machinery, new technology, and the health, education and training of people.
SSEMI1 The student will describe how households, businesses and governments are interdependent and interact through flows of
goods, services, and money.
SSEMI2 The student will explain how the Law of Demand, the Law of Supply, prices, and profits work to determine production and
distribution in a market economy.
SSEMI3 The student will explain how markets, prices and competition influence economics behavior.
SSEMI4 The student will explain the organization and role of business and analyze the four types of market structures in the US
economy.
Unit 2: Macroeconomics and Free Enterprise/Government Policy
SSEMA1 The student will illustrate the means by which economic activity is measure.
SSEMA2 The student will explain the role and functions of the Federal Reserve System.
SSEMA3 The student will explain how the government uses fiscal policy to promote price stability, full employment, and economic
growth.
Unit 3: International Economics and Personal Finance
SSEIN1 The student will explain why individuals, businesses and governments trade goods and services.
SSEIN2 The student will explain why countries sometimes erect trade barriers and sometimes advocate free trade.
SSEIN3 The student will explain how changes in exchange rates can have an impact on the purchasing power of individuals in the
United States and in other countries.
SSEPF1 The student will apply rational decision making to personal spending and saving choices.
SSEPF2 The student will explain that banks and other financial institutions are businesses that channel funds from savers to investors.
SSEPF3 The student will explain how changes in monetary and fiscal policy can have an impact on an individual’s spending and saving
choices.
SSEPF4 The student will evaluate the costs and benefits of using credit.
SSEPF5 The student will describe how insurance and other risk-management strategies protect against financial loss.
SSEPF6 The student will describe how the earnings of workers are determined in the marketplace.