INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS
Course Syllabus for Spring 2011
Instructor - Ms. Cindy Threet
oom D214 720-424-1821
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a one-semester introductory economics course. This course will cover the basic ideas and theories of economic thought. Economics is a social science that includes the study of how individual and cumulative choices influence the market place and the economy. This course will cover issues of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics explores the way in which individual economic agents – workers, consumers, households and firms – make decisions. Macroeconomics encompasses the total economy and is concerned with issues such as the national output, interest rates, inflation and unemployment. This course will attempt to combine economic theory with practical, everyday applications. The goal of this course is to give students a sufficient understanding of economic issues and problems so that they may understand the impact of government policy, economic phenomena, and the choices people make.
TEXTS:
- Economics: Principles and Practices, by Gary E. Clayton
- Finalized Book Club Choices. Students will choose one of the following for their book club reading. Please check local libraries, Amazon.com, local bookstores for the best prices. All books are available used except for the McLean book.
Confessions of an Economic Hitman, by John Perkins
Nickel and Dimed: on (Not) Getting by in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich
Freakonomics: a Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn
Predictability Irrational: the Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, by Dan Ariely
Supercapitalism: the Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life, by Robert B. Reich
All the Devils are Here: the Hidden History of the Financial Crisis, by Bethany McLean (Recently published. Best price isonline - $18.00 plus shipping at Barnes and Nobel and Amazon)
A Brief History of Everything, by Ken Wilber
MAJOR INSTRUCTIONAL GOALSfrom Colorado State Standards for Economics:
- Students will understand that because of scarcity, decisions must be made about the use of resources.
- Students will understand how different economic systems impact decision about the use of resources and the production and distribution of goods and services.
- Students will understand the results of trade, exchange, and interdependence among individuals, households, businesses, governments, and societies.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Unit 1: Fundamental Economic Principles
Unit 2: Microeconomics
Unit 3: Macroeconomics: Institutions
Unit 4: Macroeconomics: Policies
Unit 5: International and Global Economics
ASSIGNMENTS
Students will take a short quiz at the end of every chapter.
Students will participate in a simulated stock market exercise over a number of weeks.
Students will complete responses to our readings in class.
Students will also complete assignments to accompany the homework readings. These will mainly be reflections on your book club selections.
MAJOR PROJECTS
Book clubs will use power-point presentations to teach the class about their books and the philosophies they studied.
The students will choose aneconomictopic/issue/problemto study in depth. They will research their topic and present a written analysis explainingthe factors that led to the problem and how society or governmentmight productively address this problem or issue. Possible topics include:
Our current high unemployment rate
The recent bank bailouts
The recent bailout of major auto manufacturers
The recent increase in mortgage foreclosures
Deregulation and loss of American jobs
The U.S. debt to China
The economic impact of our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
The cost of national healthcare reform
The effectiveness of Obama’s stimulus plans
Theories to jump start our economy in 2011
Rebuilding the U.S. through a green revolution
Analysis of potential employment opportunities for your own future
Grading and Attendance:
Semester grades will be determined by a continuous accumulation of scores over the
18-week semester (there will also be separate grades for each 9 weeks). Student grades are based on accuracy, completion, rigor, and presentation quality of all work.
Grading Scale:
A / A- / B+ / B / B- / C+ / C / C- / D / F93-100 / 90-92 / 87-89 / 83-86 / 80-82 / 77-79 / 73-76 / 70-72 / 60-69 / 0-59
Assignments will be given point values based on the time required and expectations of the assignment. Work will be turned in on time. LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR 50% CREDIT.
Makeup work from excused absences will be completed promptly. It is YOUR responsibility to find out what work you missed if you were absent. Makeup work will NOT be accepted for unexcused absences. All unexcused absences (truancies) will be reported to the student advisor.
*******COMMUNICATE WITH ME AHEAD OF TIME IF YOU NEED HELP OR MORE TIME TO GET SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS OR PROJECTS FINISHED. Coming to me on the day assignments are due (or after) with excuses will do no good- don’t even try it! Students who attend regularly, conscientiously complete assignments and participate in class discussion will earn a good grade. Don’t be late. Don’t ditch. Don’t blow off assignments and homework.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT GRADING!
It is important to me that your written work is given the consideration it deserves. That consideration takes time. Daily homework assignments will generally be graded within a week, but papers take me longer- sometimes a month, depending on the assignment. Please be patient with me, I want to be able to read and think about what you have to say- not just skim!
Progress Monitoring:
- Grades in Infinite Campus will be updated once a week.
- Every 3 weeks prog/elig grades will be used to help identifying struggling students for interventions including tutoring.
- Every week, IC Messenger will send notices regarding failing assignments. These are notices of assignments that earned a failing grade (less than 59%). To verify a student’s class grade, you will need to check IC in more detail. Please keep in mind the grading policies as stated in the syllabus above.
- IC Messenger will also send out a message if the student has missed an assignment. Failing grades will be sent once per week, missing grades may be sent multiple times over a nine-week period.
Non-Academic Materials: The following are not permitted in class.
- Cell phones and pagers. (Parents, please do not call your student during class. In case of an emergency, please call the main office.)
- Grooming supplies (makeup, perfume, lotion, cologne, brushes, etc.)
- I-pods, walkmans, gameboys, etc.
- Notes to/from friends
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty is a cornerstone of this class. Cheating, including plagiarism is never acceptable. Presenting someone else’s work as your own, whether the work is from a friend, the Internet, a parent, etc., is cheating. Please review citation formats. If you choose to cheat on an assignment, test, or quiz, you will earn no credit for the assignment, test, or quiz. In addition, a referral will be sent to the Student Advisor.
Absences:
Please review DSA's attendance policies and other procedures in the student planner. Due to the nature of the program, it is helpful for the student to be in attendance in each class every day. Please try to schedule other activities outside the school calendar.
Tardy Policy:
Being on time to class is a respect issue. I make a point to treat my students with respect, and showing up on time is one way for students to return that respect. If you have a hard time getting to class on time, I’ll probably give you a hard time. If it continues to be an issue, you’ll be referred to the Student Advisor. PLEASE BE ON TIME TO CLASS!!!