Analyzing Current Economic Issues

Grade 12, University Preparation

Course Outline

Course Information

Course Code: / CIA4U
Credit Value: / 1.0
Teacher / Ms. Katyshev / Department: / Business Studies
Department Head: / Mr. Coates / School Board: / York Region DSB
Prerequisites: / Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and world studies, English, or social sciences and humanities
Ministry Curriculum Policy Document / The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12 Canadian and World Studies

Course Description/rationale

Although our resources, as individuals and as a society, are limited – or “scarce”, in the terminology of economics – our needs and wants are virtually unlimited, and so we must constantly make choices. The concepts, models and methods of inquiry of economics can help us make good decisions about how resources should be used. By studying economics, students will develop an understanding of different economic systems and institutions and will be able to assess the degree to which these systems and institutions help satisfy people’s needs and wants. In particular, economics examines how markets, prices, and governments influence economic decision-making. Knowledge of economics will help students assess when markets are best able to serve the public interest and when collective or government action is necessary. It will also help them make better choices as consumers of goods and services, as contributors to the economy, as employees/employers and as economic citizens.
The study of current events forms an integral component of this Economics curriculum, enhancing both the relevance and the immediacy of the program. Discussion of current events not only stimulates student interest and curiosity but also helps students to connect what they are learning in class with past and present-day world events or situations. The study of current events needs to be thought of not as a separate topic removed from the program but as an integral extension of the expectations found in this curriculum.
COURSE MATERIALS
Each student will be assigned a textbook and is responsible for the condition of textbook. Should the textbook become lost or damaged, it will be the student’s responsibility to replace the textbook with a new book, or pay the replacement cost
Title of Textbook: Economics Now: Analyzing Current Issues
Replacement Cost: $85.00
Authors:Angelo Bolotta, Charles Hawkes, Rick Mahoney, John Piper; ISBN 0-19-541445-4
Unit Titles / Overall Expectations
Unit 1: Economic Decision Making / -Explain the cause and nature of the three types of choices that all economic systems must make
-Explain the nature of Canada’s economic growth and determine whether and/or how this growth furthers the economic goal of efficiency
-Analyze the changing importance of the public and private sectors of the economy and what this means for the achievement of the macroeconomic goals of freedom and equity
-Analyze the causes and consequences of economic instability and the effectiveness of stabilization policies designed to help Canadians achieve the appropriate level of economic security
Unit 2: Economic Stakeholders / -Describe economic stakeholders groups and the criteria each uses to make economic decisions
-Explain the economic rights and responsibilities of the “economic citizen”
-Compare the ways and the degree to which different types of economic systems satisfy the needs of stakeholders
Unit 3: Self-Interest and Interdependence / -Explain how stakeholders use self-interest to make choices that maximize economic well-being
-Describe how groups of stakeholders and markets within an economy are interdependent and may be affected simultaneously by a change
- Assess the ways in which, and the degree to which, people in Canada and other countries have become interdependent in the global economy
-Analyze examples of conflicts of self-interest that prevent the achievement of economic goals
Unit 4: Economic Institutions / -Describe the nature and functions of Canada’s private economic institutions
-Describe the nature and functions of Canada’s public economic institutions
-Analyze the nature and functions of international economic institutions and their impact on the Canadian economy
Unit 5: Methods of Economic Inquiry and Communication / -Use methods of economic inquiry to locate, gather evaluate and organize different types of current economic information from a variety of sources
-Analyze various economic choices, using concepts, models and processes of economic inquiry
-Communicate the results of economic inquires, using appropriate economic terms, concepts, and models, and a variety of forms

Assessment and Evaluation will be based on the Achievement Chart for Grades 11 and 12 Business Studies in the areas of Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication and Application. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum expectations in the following weighted categories:

Knowledge & Understanding / 17.5%
Application / 17.5%
Thinking / 17.5%
Communication / 17.5%

Final Examination 30%

LEARNING SKILLS / BEHAVIOUR/DESCRIPTORS
Responsibility /

completes and submits class work, homework, and assignments according to agreed-upon timelines
punctual
academic honesty

Organization /

devises and follows a plan and process for completing work and tasks
establishes priorities and manages time to complete tasks and achieve goals
preparedness

Independent Work /

uses class time appropriately to complete tasks
follows instructions with minimal supervision

Collaboration /

responds positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and traditions of others
shares information, resources, and expertise
promotes critical thinking to solve problems and make decisions
encourages and motivates others

Initiative /

demonstrates the capacity for innovation and a willingness to take risks
demonstrates curiosity and interest in learning
actively participates in class

Self-regulation /

sets own individual goals and monitors progress towards achieving them
seeks clarification or assistance when needed

takes responsibility for and manages own behavior
stays on task

Department policies/procedures/expectations

Attendance:
Good attendance is essential if you are to be successful. Absenteeism adversely affects not only your progress, but the progress of the rest of the class as well. There exists an extremely high correlation between attendance and good grades. Attendance is mandatory. The most essential learning will be done during class time. Students will have extreme difficulty succeeding with a poor attendance record. In keeping with Westmount policy, if absent, your parent / guardian needs to call into the school to excuse an absence the morning of the day you are to be away. If your parent does not phone, you are marked truant and MUSTgo to the main office with a note from your parent /guardian, upon your return to school, and BEFORE class. You will receive an admit slip from the main office which you will need to produce before you are admitted to class.
Punctuality:
Being on time for class is essential. Lateness not only interrupts the class and the teacher – but will interfere with your learning as well. Please be aware of class start times and make sure you are there. Upon your third late for class, you will be assigned a detention. The student will be responsible for the work missed – not the teacher.
Communication:
Strong communication skills (both oral and written) are crucial for success in the information-based society that we all live in today. You will be made aware of the expectations in the area of communication prior to each activity and you will be evaluated on the basis of this criterion. All work that is submitted is to be your own work and must adhere to the Academic Honesty Policy in your Student Handbook.
Missed Test Policy:
Students will be informed of test dates well in advance (first day of classes). Students will be expected to write all tests scheduled. These tests must be written on the dates stated. If a student has a legitimate reason for being absent, i.e. a school activity, he or she must notify the teacher in advance and write the test the day after (either during the lunch period or after school), or the morning of the test. If a student is ill the day of the test, he/she must see the teacher before the next class to make arrangements to write the missed test. A note from a physician authorizing the absence must be provided prior to writing the test – otherwise, a grade of zero will be assigned. The student will not be allowed to write the test during the next class period unless given special permission by the classroom teacher. Students who are absent due to prolonged illness or have endured a personal loss within their family will be given special consideration.
Students who miss the test, for an invalid reason, will not be able to write a makeup test. The missed test will count as a zero. There are no dropped marks within the Business Department. Please make every effort to be present when tests are scheduled.
Late Assignment Policy:
In the business world, employees are often given due dates for projects. It is understood that these are deadlines. To prepare you for this type of arrangement, late submissions will receive a mark of zero. If a student is absent from class on the due date, he/she must have the assignment delivered to the teacher that day. If an assignment is not received on the due date, the assignment may be handed in during the next class, but an authorized note from a physician must also be presented, explaining why you were unable to deliver the assignment to the school on the due date. Acceptance of late work will be at the teacher’s discretion, based on compassionate grounds. If a student makes a habit of not handing in assignments, the teacher will notify the parent/ guardian by telephone, explaining the unacceptable practice.
Neatness & Completion:
Neatness is very important in business as careless and sloppy work can lead to unnecessary errors. Completion of all assigned work is an important part of any course. New concepts will be studied in class and the student will have practical assignments to reinforce the new concepts. Homework, therefore, is an important part of the course and the student will be expected to complete all homework assignments. These will be assessed / evaluated periodically. Failure to complete homework may result in a loss of marks, or a grade of zero.
Test/Assignment Grievances:
NO STUDENT can approach the teacher regarding problems with a test or assignment until 48 hours after the test or assignment has been handed back. They must make an appointment with the teacher outside of class, at which time they must present corrections and their clearly defined argument as to why they believe they deserve a higher mark. For mistakes due to adding errors, students can see the teacher after class.
Respect:
Respect is expected and will be demonstrated at all times. This entails all interactions within the classroom and the school (between student to teacher, teacher to student, student to student, student to school materials and property). RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK – TALKING WHILE OTHERS ARE SPEAKING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Respect for others is critical – discrimination or bullying will not be tolerated. You have a responsibility to listen and learn, and to allow others to learn from the delivery of the material by the teacher. After being warned, you will be asked to leave the room if you are causing a disruption to the deliverance of the material by the teacher or to the learning environment of others. If asked to leave, you will be expected to go to the office and meet with a Vice Principal.
(9) YOUR EDUCATION IS ULTIMATELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY – YOU are responsible for YOU. Students have the right to pass, but they also have the right to fail. This ultimately depends on the student themselves. You are expected to attend classes regularly, on time, complete all assignments by the due date, write all tests on the designated day, and treat others with respect. Failure to do so may result in a loss of marks, or an assigned grade of zero.
NO HATS, FOOD, POP, WATER, CELL PHONES, iPODS, BLACKBERRIES (OR ANY OTHER LITTLE DISTRACTING GADGET) ARE PERMITTED IN CLASS. A warning will be given upon your first infraction. These items will be confiscated upon your second infraction, turned over to the main office, and will be returned at the discretion of the teacher.
Use washroom facilitiesbefore and after class. Students leaving class during class time is disruptive – and will be permitted for emergencies only. Washroom breaks will not be permitted during tests or exams.
Cheating and plagiarism will result in a grade of zero (this includes: copying others work on assignments or tests, permitting others to copy their work, bringing any written material into a test / exam, or speaking during a test / exam).

The Individual and the Economy – CIA4U

V. Katyshev