Economics

Ms. Bellus

Syllabus

                

 

In general we will work to complete the first two units of our textbook, Economics In Our Times . In doing so, you will be provided with a broad view of theoretical and pragmatic economics, and a close look at items crucial to economics, focusing on microeconomics. This course is designed to give you enough background to help you better understand the many different ways that economics affects your everyday life. An emphasis will be placed on learning how economics relates to you as an individual.

 

This course will require you to read a fair amount. You will be responsible for understanding the vocabulary and their contexts in each chapter. Be sure to use the text glossary and/or a dictionary for words that are not defined in the text. Write down questions or unclear items to ask about in class in order to clear up anything that is confusing to you.

 

You must also carefully read any supplemental material that is given to you. You will be responsible for all information that is contained in any handouts you receive. Beyond this, you are responsible for keeping all supplemental material for use at a later date. Therefore a three ring binder or folder is recommended.

 

Brief quizzes will be given for each chapter. They will cover the main ideas in a chapter, including vocabulary words. The aim with these quizzes is not to trick or surprise you, but to make sure you read the chapter carefully and understand the concepts. There will also be written activities for each chapter. Most of the time these will be done outside of class time.

 

There will be a test given at the end of each chapter or two in order to make sure that you grasped the material. A larger exam will be given at the end of each unit. This exam will determine how well you understand not only the concepts, but how they are connected. These unit exams will be worth 100 points, while the chapter tests will be worth 50 points.

 

Class time will be spent discussing the concepts, responding to each other’s questions, and fitting the pieces together to create a better understanding of economics. There will also often be in-class, hands-on projects to help you better understand the concepts of economics. If you are shy and do not like to ask questions in class, please see me before or after class. Do not wait until the last minute to ask questions as ideas build on one another and quizzes occur often.

 

There will be a cumulative final exam worth 200 points. Keep your class notes, any supplemental materials given to you, tests, and written activities. These items will provide much help to you while studying for the final as they cover the most important items.

 

Extra credit assignments will come up once during the trimester. Extra credit is not encouraged unless you are at a grade of C or below, then it is strongly encouraged. Do not ask about individual extra credit assignments, you must take advantage of the assignments given by me during the trimester. If you read the chapters, listen and take good notes in class, and ask questions right away, you should not need very much extra credit!

 

In general, the combination of homework and in-class tests is balanced to ensure that a person who does all of their homework and has some trouble testing, should be able to pass the class. The reverse may or may not be true. A’s and B’s reflect a consistent and thorough approach to all work.

 

Grades will be figured on a cumulative point total criteria. This means that your points will be added together from: quizzes, written assignments, activities, chapter exams, unit exams, attendance and the final exam. The points you earn throughout the trimester will be divided by the total amount of points possible. This will produce a percentage which will be used in the following scale:

 

94 - 100%	A
90 - 03%	A-
87 - 89%	B+
84 - 86%	B
80 - 83%	B-
77 - 79%	C+
74 - 76%	C
70 - 73%	C-
67 - 69%	D+
64 - 66%	D
60 - 63%	D-
59 & below	F

  

In this class you will neither give nor receive unauthorized aid without specific permission for collaboration or without proper citation. This includes class work, quizzes, examinations, preparations of reports or projects, or in any other work that is used to evaluate you. You can expect that any papers or projects you turn in will be checked to assure originality and accuracy of citations . At Cretin-Derham Hall we uniformly deplore cheating, lying, fraud, misrepresentation, plagiarism, copying other students’ work, and other dishonest behaviors that jeopardize the rights, welfare and integrity of Cretin-Derham Hall.

Consequences

First Documented Offense : Zero credit for work; Teacher will call parents and the Dean of Students will be notified. The Dean of Students will be responsible for assigning additional consequences.

Second Documented Offense: Academic Board of Discipline will recommend consequences, which may include loss of credit for the class or a recommendation for a Board of Review.

These consequences are not limited to cheating in one class; they are cumulative.