Economics Money and Wealth
Economics: Money and Wealth
Eleanor Barbino
Course Syllabus
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to give each student the tools to analyze economic information and apply it to aid in making future decisions. As our world economy moves ever closer to complete globalization, understanding economic concepts, policies and their impacts is becoming increasingly important in a global society. Macroeconomic decisions made in the United States and other western countries affect not only our own economies but those of other nations as well. This global economy requires citizens in all countries to become better informed decision makers.
Economics concepts can be difficult to understand when first introduced. There is a great deal of material to cover over the course of the semester. As such, you are required to read each section of the chapter before we begin discussing it in class. I count on each member of the class to actively participate in each class session. Class discussion and lecture are designed to clarify and elaborate on difficult concepts and explain the application of these concepts in a national and global economy. Class discussion and lecture will be supplemented by group activities and assignments. Each is designed to assist in your understanding of the applications of economic principles. Dont panic if some of the information is confusing. I am available before and after school to help you if you need additional assistance. You can also contact me by email: ebarbino@naperville203.org. Please dont wait until you are overwhelmed by the information to ask for help.
This semester, we will be working with a student teacher, Christopher Wroblewski, from University of Illinois. He will be with us from the end of January until May 4th. I am still the primary teacher, however, he will be handling all grades and assignments during that time. He can be reached at cwroble2@uiuc.edu.
Text: Economics in Our Times (second edition), Roger A. Arnold, National Textbook Company (2001)
Grading Policy:
Students will be evaluated on a point system; A = 100 90, B = 89 80, C = 79 70, D = 69 60, and F = 59 and below. Class participation is an important part of your grade, accounting for 10% of total points.
It is important that students keep a running point total and ALL returned assignments in case there is a discrepancy between your records and mine. I will be happy to meet with any student to discuss grades and assignments before or after school, NOT BEFORE OR AFTER CLASS. Please make an appoint to ensure that I am available.
Make-up Policy:
Students are required to make up any missed exams within a week of the exam date, before or after school unless otherwise directed. Late assignments will be accepted ONE DAY late for HALF CREDIT. Assignments later than a day will receive a zero.
General Expectations:
· Treat your teachers, classmates and substitute teachers with the respect you would expect yourselves.
· There is absolutely NO FOOD or DRINK allowed in the classroom. Students coming to class with either will be required to throw it away and will receive a reprimand the first time and detention for each additional offence.
· The dress code will be strictly enforced in this class.
· I-Pods and cell phones are forbidden. If I SEE an I-pod, the wires from head phones, or a cell phone, it will result in an automatic referral. NO EXCEPTIONS
· Come to class prepared. Students arriving in class without text books, note books or pencils will loose points and will be marked late should they have to get their things from their lockers.
· Raise your hand when you wish to speak so that we can listen to what you have to say. No student should speak while I or another student is speaking.
· Regular attendance is a key part of your chance to succeed in this class. Activities, lectures and discussions are prepared to help pass the exams and the class overall. Excessive absences will be discussed in the deans office.
· Tardiness will not be tolerated. Be in class and seated when the bell rings.
· Once the bell has rung to start the class, you will have 30 seconds to finish your conversations and settle down after which I expect silence
· Once class has begun, there should be no need to leave the room unless it is an emergency. Students who must use the restroom during class will be required to make up the time (15 minutes) before or after school.
· If you sleep in this class, your participation grade will suffer and you may receive a detention.
· You will remain in your seat, working until the dismissal bell has rung. DO NOT BEGIN to pack up your things early or line up at the door.
· Do not complain about the assignments or activities. Each is planned to help you better understand economics and hone your academic skills. Reading, writing and public speaking are essential elements for a successful future.
· We will frequently have group assignments. Your participation and cooperation in group assignments is crucial to the success of these activities. Any student who does not behave well with the group or fails to remain focused on the activity will receive detention.
· If you would like to talk to me about a grade on an assignment or in the class in general, you must come to the social studies office before or after school. I will not be giving out grade sheets as all grades are available on the new i-parent system. Before coming to discuss your grade, you must access it on i-parent and have specific questions or concerns. I am more than happy to help you succeed in this class, but you must show some initiative.
Conclusion:
I sincerely hope that all of you learn a great deal this semester about your nations economic system. The study of economics is both interesting and applicable to both every day life and essential in understanding business and politics.
Unit 1: Basics of Economics
Chapter 1: What Economics is about?
Chapter 2: Free Enterprise system What is a free enterprise system and how do we allocate scarce resources?
Chapter 3: Demand What is demand and how do we graphically represent it?
Chapter 4: Supply What is supply and how do we graphically represent it?
Chapter 5: Market Equilibrium What do we mean by market equilibrium and how do we graphically represent it?
Unit 2: Microeconomics: Business, Markets, and Economic Decisions
Chapter 6: Business Decisions: Costs, Revenues and Profits
Chapter 7: Competition and Markets What is market competition and why is it important for economic efficiency?
Chapter 8: Employment and Wages How does the labor market work in free market economy?
Chapter 9: Government and Business What is the role of government in a free market economy?
Unit 3: Macroeconomics: The Economy
Chapter 10: Money: What is money and how does it help the economy function?
Chapter 11: Banking and the Federal Reserve System What is the Federal Reserve System and how is money created?
Chapter 12: Measuring Economic Performance What are economic indicators and how do they measure economic growth?
Chapter 13: Inflation, Deflation and Unemployment Why is inflation a problem and how does it affect the Unemployment rate?
Chapter 14: Business Cycles and Economic Growth How do we measure economic growth and what role do business cycles play in our economy?
Chapter 15: Government and the Economy: Fiscal vs. Monetary Policy How does the government try to stabilize the boom and bust cycle of the economy to promote growth and prevent unemployment?
Chapter 16: The Government Budget: Spending and Taxes What role does taxation and government spending play in a free market economy?
Unit 4: The Global Economy
Chapter 17: Economic Development What role does economic development play in developing nations?
Chapter 18: International Trade Why do nations trade and what benefits does it provide for each side?
Chapter 19: Comparative Economic Systems How do different economic systems compare?
Unit 5: Everyday Economics How does economics affect the decisions you will make in the future