I. Course Description :

This is an introductory survey course in classical economic theory and practice. The course will cover the following topics: capitalism and the market system, the role of supply and demand in our economy, the pricing mechanism, government fiscal and monetary policy as it relates to inflation and unemployment, and the banking system. The class will use current case studies to clarify the theory and principles discussed in the text.

II. Course Outline :

          First Quarter : ( 7 cycles )
               Unit 1 : Introduction To Economics
                         Chapter 1 : What is Economics?
                         Chapter 2 : Economic Systems
               Unit 2 : How Markets Work
                         Chapter 4 : Demand
                         Chapter 5 : Supply
                         Chapter 6 : Prices
                         Chapter 7 : Market Structures
          Second Quarter : ( 7 cycles )
               Unit 4 : Money, Banking, and Finance
                         Chapter 10 : Money & Banking
                         Chapter 11 : Financial Markets
               Unit 5 : Measuring Economic Performance
                         Chapter 12 : Gross Domestic Product and
                                              Growth
                         Chapter 13 : Economic Challenges
               Unit 6 : Government and the Economy 
                         Chapter 16 : The Federal Reserve and
                                              Monetary Policy
                         Chapter 14 : Taxes and Government
                                              Spending
                         Chapter 15 : Fiscal Policy

III. Grading Policy :

        Tests : Test grades are based on the following scale and comprise 80% of the marking period grade.

                          A  =  93 - 100
                          B  =  85 -  92
                          C  =  75 -  84
                          D  =  65 -  74
                          F  =  Less than 65

Any student who misses a scheduled test will take a make-up test after school. It is the student's responsibility to schedule this test. This policy also applies to any student who receives less than a 75 on the original test. Such a student can take the make-up test until he achieves a grade of 75. If he scores above a 75 on the make-up test, the grade of 75 will replace his deficient test score. If on the make-up test he scores less than he did on the original test, this lower grade will replace the original test score. The deadline for taking any or all make-up tests is the last class day before the testing cycle.

        Homework: Nightly written assignments will be graded on the following basis.

                           + +  =  Outstanding
                              +  =  Satisfactory
                             -- =  Unsatisfactory
                              I   =  Incomplete

        Take-home Essay Tests: Any such test not submitted on time will depreciate at the rate of one letter grade per school day. After five (5) schools days the highest grade that can be achieved is a 50. If the assignment is never submitted, the grade is a ZERO. These essays must be completed on loose-leaf paper in INK. No ringed notebook paper will be accepted.

        The Stock Market Game: Using the internet in a real-time game the students, in teams, will compete by researching, and buying common stocks. Twenty percent of the marking period grade is based on participation in this simulation. Half ( 10% of the marking period grade ) of this grade will be based on research reports each student will write on prospective common stock investments. The other half of this grade will be based on actual team performance ranked against other teams in the class and across the state.

        Final Course Grade: This grade will be a composite of the two Marking Period Averages ( each worth 40% of the Final Course Grade ) and the Final Exam Grade ( worth 20% of the Final Course Grade ).