ECONOMICS/ SPRING 2017
Mr. Whitcomb
Room 811
COURSE OUTLINE & CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN
Course Description:
This course covers both Macro and Micro Economic principles and is aligned with the California State Standards for Social Science in Economics. It is designed to provide a basic understanding of the core concepts, ideas, and theories relevant to the study of Economics as a social science in today’s world. Although many of the topics we cover will be new to many students, it is my goal to relate them to both the life of a teenager about to embark on his or her own economic odyssey and the larger issues filling up space on the pages of our newspapers and the screens of our computers. Whether you like it (or even know it) or not, we are all subject to the economic system we live in and its ever-changing conditions. We are all economic actors!
Course Topics:
1. What is Economics? What are the basic ideas, questions, and vocabulary underlying the study of economics as a social science?
2. Economic Systems How do society’s decide what to make, how to make
it, and who gets what is made?
3. Supply and Demand How are prices, the language consumers and producers use to communicate, determined in a free market system?
4. Business Structures What are the main business structures and what do they look like? What are the steps in setting up a business?
5. Financial Markets What are the fundamentals of our financial system and how can you begin to learn to take advantage of
it for your own benefit?
6. Macroeconomics How are large-scale economic indicators, such as GDP, unemployment, and inflation, measured and what is their significance?
7. Fiscal and Monetary Policy How can governments influence the economy? What
is the Federal Reserve and what does it do?
8. Globalization What is it and how is it being played out on the world stage today? Where does the U.S. stand in an ever-
changing world?
Materials needed DAILY in class:
· 3-ring binder (this is recommended) with blank sheets of paper!
· Pens and pencils with erasers (if you need to borrow something from me, expect to put up some collateral such as a wallet, cell phone, etc.) and one or more highlighters.
* I will not require you to bring your textbook everyday. However, I will often ask you to bring it to class the following day. Failure to bring your book will result in penalties discussed below.
* On occasion you will be required to print out worksheets from my webpage on the school’s website. Go to www.losal.org/lahs → Teachers →Mr. Whitcomb → Homework Assignments
Grading: The grading in this class will be based on a standard point system. Points will be continuously added and displayed throughout each grading period. I make every attempt possible to grade any and all student work as quickly as I can.
A = 100 - 89.5%
B = 89.4 - 79.5%
C = 79.4 - 69.5%
D = 69.4 - 60%
F = 59.5% and below
* YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED A PASSWORD TO LOG-ON TO THE AERIES GRADING SYSTEM. USE IT!
Grading categories and methods of student evaluation will include Tests/Quizzes (approximately 45-48%) Homework/Class Assignments/Projects (approximately 45-48% of the grade), books/participation (approximately 5-8%). I say approximately because I don’t weigh categories: it’s straight points.
Tests/Quizzes
- Tests will always be announced before being given. Quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time. Both tests and quizzes may potentially contain any and all material covered in class and/or readings.
- It is the student’s responsibility (unless there has been a prolonged absence) to know when a test or quiz has been missed and to schedule a make-up. Make-up tests will be given by appointment during non-class hours and this is the student’s responsibility to arrange with the teacher. Quizzes will be made up on the day the student returns. Both make-up tests and quizzes may be different than the originals and may include essays/short answer questions.
- Unless previous arrangements have been discussed, absences the day before the test will not be excuses to put off a test until a later date. I give plenty of notice beforehand when a test will take place. Students should plan and be prepared accordingly.
- I am actually pretty flexible and accommodating! If you have special circumstances in relation to taking a test (or completing an assignment), talk to me about it. If your story sounds legitimate, I will probably grant your wish, i.e. an extra day to study for the test because you’ve been sick/working/playing a sport/in a dance show/family situation etc.
Homework/Class Assignments/Projects
- Homework assignments are due in class on the date announced. Complete work will be given a stamp/signature that signifies the potential to receive full credit.
- All work completed during the course of a unit will be collected on the day of the unit test (unless otherwise indicated). If taking a makeup test, work will be due after the two day time period
- Late assignments will receive ½ credit up until the day of the test. Class projects, written assignments, and, occasionally, homework may be collected and graded during the unit.
- If you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain missed work. This goes for obtaining a homework stamp within the appropriate time frame as well.
- I do grade your work. Follow my directions, be thoughtful and you should be fine.
- Individual work needs to be done by individuals. If I find two or more students copying individual work, nobody receives credit. Work that is done and reviewed as a class is okay to copy. If you’re not sure which is which, ask me.
Books/participation
- This category will mainly be comprised of “books”. What does this mean? Approximately, 10 to 15 times throughout the semester I will ask you to bring your book to class the next day. I will record whether or not you actually bring it. Each time I ask you to bring it and make a record of it will be worth 5 points. If you don’t have your book at the beginning of class, you may go get it if it is in your locker, but no credit is given.
- If you were absent the day it was announced that books would be necessary, I will allow you to get yours from your locker, but if it is not there, you will lose points (“it’s at home” is not an adequate excuse).
- If you are absent the day I record books, you will be given a short makeup assignment to earn those 5 points. The makeup assignment can be found on my school webpage.
GENERAL CLASS RULES AND PROCEDURES
Attendance and Tardy Policy: Rules regarding attendance and tardies will follow school policy. If you are not in the room when the bell rings, expect to be marked tardy.
Food and Drink in Class: Food will not be permitted in class. Drinks will be allowed, but they must have a lid.
Bathroom Visits: The first time you use the bathroom is free. The second time you must give me your phone, which you will get back when you return. All further visits, you must hand over your phone and you will get it back at the end of class.
Electronic Devices: The school policies concerning electronic devices will be enforced.
Respect: As Seniors, I shouldn’t have to outline proper classroom behavior to you. However, I will state that I expect high standards of personal conduct. This includes, but is not limited to, stopping all small talk when I ask for the classes’ attention, raising your hand to speak during discussions, and being attentive whenever anyone is talking to the class.
*Cheating: Any and all forms of cheating, including and especially plagiarism, will be dealt with swiftly and harshly. If you have any questions as to what constitutes plagiarism, do not hesitate to ask. Please carefully refer to the Academic Honor Code of Los Alamitos High School located on page 7 of your Parent-Student Handbook.
All of the information provided above shall serve as a general guideline for our semester together here at Los Alamitos High School. The main goal of everything written here is to ensure that each and every student has a rich, rewarding, and positive educational experience. I want all students to feel comfortable, engaged, and, yes, even challenged in my classroom and I feel that these guidelines will help allow these results to occur.
I am excited to be here at Los Alamitos High School and I hope that you are as well. Let’s have a great semester!
Welcome!
Mr. Whitcomb
Contact Information
(562) 799-4780 ext. 811