Honors
Economics
Ms.
Bellus
Syllabus
In
general we will work to highlight important topics throughout
our textbook, Economics In Our Times. We will also use
a second text, Economics Explained as an important part
of our learning process. In doing so, you will be provided with
a broad view of theoretical and pragmatic economics, and a close
look at items crucial to micro- and macroeconomics. By the time
you finish this class, you will be as well prepared as anyone
else to take a college economics course. Even if you never take
another economics class, 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 economic theories and ideas and applying them
to show (1) what you already know, and (2) what citizens in our
global economy should know to live with a greater understanding
of "what economics means to me."
This
course will require you to read large amounts. 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
which 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 at different points in each unit. They will
cover the main ideas in a chapter, including vocabulary words.
Some quizzes may also test your ability to apply the information
you learned in real life situations. 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.
Writing
assignments will be an important part of your grade as well. You
will be asked to write formal papers almost every week. These
papers are intended to test your ability to make connections and
apply the information you have learned. Any formal writing is
expected to be typed and double spaced. It should also be free
of any grammatical mistakes. Writing is a very important form
of communication and yours will be held to a very high standard.
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 test 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.
All
assignments must be turned in on the due date. If you are absent,
they should be turned in immediately on the day you return to
school. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the assignment.
You are responsible for making sure I get all assignments, I will
not be chasing you around. If you have an extended illness, see
me and we will make arrangements.
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. 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.
Attendance
will also be taken into account when determining your grade. 50
points will be given for attendance, with 1 point subtracted for
each absence and your first tardy. In addition, 3 points will
be subtracted from your final point total for each tardy after
the first. Class begins when the bell rings. If you arrive late,
do not interrupt the class. Additionally, the school's tardy policy,
(3 tardies = detention), will be strictly enforced. Please see
the student handbook for definition of a tardy. It is your responsibility
to gather any information given before your arrival.
In
general, the combination of home work 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 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, 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:
| 90 - 100% |
A |
| 80 - 89% |
B |
| 70 - 79% |
C |
| 60 - 69% |
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.
