Honors Economics

Honors Economics Nazareth Area High School Mrs. Cunningham Course Syllabus

Course Description

Honors Economics is a one-quarter course that will provide students with an analytical perspective of Economics. This course includes both a study of general concepts used to understand basic Economics and a detailed study of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Students will be expected to think analytically about past economic issues to better be able to analyze specific contemporary examples.

Honors Economics will place an emphasis on written work, extensive reading and analysis of primary and secondary sources. The readings will include a basic textbook as well as a supplemental readers and numerous additional outside readings. Students will also be expected to have a basic understanding of current events that influence the economy - domestically and internationally.

Students will…  Demonstrate economic reasoning and decision making skills  Analyze the development of modern economic theory  Explain the relationship between supply, demand and prices  Analyze the role of the business and labor in the economy  Evaluate the role of monetary and fiscal policy in shaping the economy  Examine international trade and globalization Units of Study

Introduction to Economics  Key Principles of Economics  Economic Systems  American Free Enterprise Microeconomics  Supply, Demand and Prices  Business and Labor  Money, Banking and Finance Macroeconomics  Measuring Economic Performance  Government and the Economy  The Global Economy Materials  Blade, Robin and Parkin, Michael. Foundations of Economics. New York: Pearson, 2007.  Buchholtz, Todd. New Ideas from Dead Economists. New York: Penguin Group, 2007.  Engels, Friedrich and Marx, Karl. Communist Manifesto. New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 2005.  Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. New York: Metropolitan, 2001.  O'Sullivan, Arthur and Sheffrin, Steven. Economics: Principles in Action. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2008.  Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.

Grading

All assignments will be graded on a point system. Point value will vary based on the amount of work and effort that is required to complete the task. The course will include the following assessment tools:  Homework  Projects  Research Papers  Quizzes  Exams  Participation

Homework Policy

Homework is due at the beginning of class. Any student that fails to produce completed homework at the beginning of class will receive a zero for the assignment. Late homework assignments will not be accepted if the student was aware of the assignment prior to the due date. *No homework assignments may be typed unless specific permission is granted. Late Work: Students will not be permitted to submit ANY late assignments. While late assignments will not be accepted for points, they may be submitted for teacher feedback. Rules and Expectations

1. Be Prepared 2. Be on Time 3. Be Courteous *In addition to classroom rules students are responsible to adhere to all school rules and policies in accordance with the student handbook. Resource Disclaimer To enhance student understanding and learning of a wide variety of economic concepts, this course will incorporate a variety of multimedia tools. We will be watching a variety of videos, listening to speeches and selected music that relates directly to the subject matter. Some of these materials will be rated PG, PG-13, or R. I assure you these materials are carefully chosen to showcase only relevant concepts. If you find these teaching tools objectionable for your student, simply send in a note or email me by the end of this week to discuss this matter in more detail.

Academic Honesty There are many times throughout this course that students will be expected to conduct research in order to complete assignments. It is NEVER acceptable to plagiarize. This means that if you use someone else’s work-- give them credit!!! You are responsible to appropriately document all outside sources using MLA format. If you need help with this please let me know. Ignorance is not an excuse for plagiarism. Any student that plagiarizes an assignment will receive a zero for that assignment. Contact Information  Email~ [email protected]  Phone~(610) 759-1730 extension 2236  Website~www.nazarethhonorseconomics.wikispaces.com

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Communication

In an effort to make sure that both you and your parent/guardian are aware of the course rules and expectations listed above I would like you and your parent/guardian to sign below. I will check for this signature at the start of class TOMORROW. Failure to return this sheet will result in an academic detention. Parent Signature: X______Student Signature: X______