DCC Economics
Economic Issues
Mrs. Streever
(845) 298-5100 ext.31046 or 31077
Business Education Office=Room # 226
ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE POSTED ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM
Welcome to the wonderful world of economics! My goal is to teach basic economic theory by applying important theoretical concepts to real-world, present-day economic issues. This is an introductory course in economics that integrates theory and contemporary issues in economics and political economy. You will find that economic issues are intriguing, far-reaching, and incredibly relevant to your everyday life.
The required text is:
Robert C. Guell, Issues in Economics Today, 7th Edition
Student Reference Guell, 5th or 6th Editions
***Other Internet resources will also be utilized****
Supplemented by:
National Issues Forums
a. “The Energy Problem"
Goal: The Guell text combines eight chapters of technical economics with thirty-three chapters on various economic issues to which most Americans can relate. The goal of the course is to raise issues that are important in your economic life and see how the economist looks at the same issues. Guell does an excellent job in connecting theory to practice, but I must warn you that his "issues" chapters can be very challenging. That is good, as one half of our time will be discussing some of the ideas Guell raises.
Process: On most of the odd-numbered weeks, we will cover the technical aspects of the topic listed. There will be lectures and videos. We will attempt to clarify the more difficult concepts covered by the text. In the next class (mostly even weeks) we will discuss two issues that have practical consequences and also relate to the topic of the previous week. Again, depending upon the topic, discussion will be supplemented by videos and internet activities.
Responsibilities: It is critical that each student keeps detailed notes on readings assigned. Readings must be completed on the dates indicated. If they are not, the class will be meaningless. Also, students will be asked to summarize and analyze their Readings during the "Issues" classes. Finally, these detailed notes will be critical in the successful completion of your final examination.
WEEK 1 & 2: ECONOMICS:
1) THE STUDY OF OPPORTUNITY COST (CH 1)
2) COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE? (CH 34)
**Article**
3) POVERTY AND WELFARE (CH 35-7th Ed/33-5th Ed.)
*Internet Assignment*
TEST CH’s 1 & 35
______
WEEK 3: ISSUES:
1) SUPPLY AND DEMAND (CH 2)
Internet Assignment & **TEST***
2) PROJECT: GROUP/INDIVIDUAL POWER POINT PRESENTATION ASSIGNMENT-BOOKLET ON ENERGY: (VIDEO)
Read the Nations Issues Forum booklet: (“The Energy Problem") on energy options. This booklet presents three approaches in dealing with the issue. There will be a student discussion/presentation and open-note quiz on this booklet.
3) REFERENCE CHAPTERS: (GUELL 5TH & 7TH ED.)
1.) NATURAL RESOURCES, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND CLIMATE CHANGE (CH 22-7th Ed/21-5th Ed.)
2.) ENERGY PRICES (CH 38-7th Ed/36-5th Ed.)
______
WEEK 4 & 5:
1) SOCIAL SECURITY (CH 36-7th Ed/34-5th Ed.)
**Internet Assignment**
______
WEEK 6: ISSUES
1) The STOCK MARKET & CRASHES (CH 40)
***Internet Assignment****
2) TEST: Chapters 36, 40
3) Project-RESEARCH PAPER
______
WEEK 7: ISSUE
1) THE CONCEPT OF ELASTICITY & CONSUMER AND PRODUCER SURPLUS (CH 3)
**Pairs Internet Assignment**
WEEK 8 & 9: ISSUES
1) THE LINES BETWEEN LEGAL & ILLEGAL GOODS (CH 21-7th Ed/20-5th Ed.)
**Internet Assignment**
2) HEALTH CARE (CH 23-7th Ed/22-5th Ed.)
*Internet Assignment*
3) TEST: CH 3, 21, 22/23
4) FINAL EXAM REVIEW SHEET CHECK #1
______
WEEK 10: ISSUE
1) EVERYTHING MACROEONOMIC (CH 6)
2) PROJECT: PAIRS/TRIO/INDIVIDUAL POWER POINT PRESENTATION
(Teacher selected chapter topic)
______
WEEK 11 & 12: ISSUE:
1) MONETARY POLICY (CH 10)
**Internet*** About the Fed
Guell, Chapters 10
Test: 6 & 10
______
WEEK 13: ISSUES:
1) FISCAL POLICY (CH 9)
**Internet Assignment
QUIZ
2) FEDERAL SPENDING (CH 11-7th Ed/13-5th Ed.)
**Internet Assignment
QUIZ
______
WEEK 14 & 15: ISSUES
1) UNIONS (CH 41-7th Ed/39-5th Ed.)
**Internet Assignment & Discussion
Quiz CH 41 only
2) FEDERAL DEFICITS, SURPLUSES AND THE NATIONAL
DEBT (CH 12-7th Ed/14-5th Ed.)
**Internet Assignment** Federal Deficits
3) ECONOMICS AND THE LAW (CH 26-7th Ed/25-5th Ed.)
**Internet Assignment**
______
WEEK 16: 1) MINIMUM WAGE (CH 31-7th Ed/29-5th Ed.)
*Internet Research Assignment*
****DEBATE******
TEST: Chapters 12, 26, 31
______
WEEK 17 & 18: ISSUES
1) The Economics of K-12 Education (CH 33)
**Internet Assignment**
2) FINAL EXAM REVIEW SHEET CHECK #2
______
WEEK 19: FINAL EXAMINATION PREPARATION (REVIEW SHEET)
This class will be used to hit any topics that were missed due to time
Shortage and to review of topics and issues covered on the final examination.
______
WEEK 20: FINAL EXAMINATION
All tests and quizzes are announced. There will be a review before each test.
Reading Assignments
I expect you to keep up with the course readings. Each week has an assigned list of chapters and/or additional readings—make sure you have read each week’s assigned readings and be prepared for classroom discussion.
Grade Determination:
10%=Homework
15%=Notebook
40%=Tests/Quizzes
10%=Class participation, preparation and discussion
25%: Project
**There will be a Final Examination***
ECONOMIC RESEARCH PAPER (PROJECT)
NOTE:
v YOUR PAPER “MUST” BE SUBMITTED ON TIME
v PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED (Severe consequences will be enforced)
v Your paper must be 5-8 TYPED PAGES of “TEXT” relating to your Topic of Interest.
v MUST BE SUBMITTED TO: turnitin.com
REQUIREMENTS:
· CHOOSE YOUR RESEARCH TOPIC (Make sure you can relate your topic to economics)
· Please see Mrs. Streever for approval & input
· MLA FORMAT
· “5-8 pages” (typed text) in length MINIMUM
· PLEASE NOTE: This does NOT include Pictures, Graphs, Charts, Cartoons, or any other information that is copy/paste items inserted into this paper. ****
· DOUBLE-SPACED FONT: TIMES NEW ROMAN
· You must use a MINIMUM of 5 different reference sources.
· IN TEXT CITATIONS/REFERENCES
· All DATA gathered must be referenced, even if reworded
· A WORK CITED page is required(listing all sources used to write your research paper)
· If the paper is submitted without references and work cited page a 20% reduction in the paper grade will occur.
· Your paper must be submitted on time to turnitin.com on or before the due date. Late points will be assessed for each day the paper is late.