Syllabus

Honors Economics 12 Ms. Czejdo
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 * Course Syllabus MCD Office Room: 109 **
 * 2010-2011 czejdo@mtsd.org **


 * __What you need to know:__** Expect a lot of reading and writing outside of class. In class, most lessons consist of discussions and activities. You are seriously expected to contribute effectively in class **at all times**.


 * __Parents:__** Please sign up for **EDLINE** by creating your own account. When you sign up, make sure to provide an email address. During the course, I will occasionally send out emails to notify you of pertinent information.

Classroom discipline is an important factor in order for learning to take place. To maintain discipline in the school, students must share the responsibility with the teacher to develop a climate conducive to wholesome learning. No student has the right to interfere with the education of his/her classmates. No student has the right to interfere with the teacher’s efforts to educate students.
 * __ Discipline Philosophy __**

1. Be to class on time. Students should be seated immediately upon entering the room. If an assignment is posted, work should begin. After one warning, a student tardy to class without a legitimate written admit will be given one hour of detention. ** 2. ** Follow classroom procedures and directions. Remain on task!! **Any work being done for classes other than this one, will be permanently confiscated.** 3. Be prepared! Bring a book, notebook, **__ pen/pencil __** and assignments to class. Students repeatedly failing to bring appropriate materials to class will be referred to the office. 4. Show respect to classmates, teacher, and visitors to the room. This means not talking back, not speaking out of turn, not making side remarks, always valuing and listening to others opinions. No food or beverages will be permitted unless it is a teacher-approved activity. ** 5. **** Please use the restroom and drinking fountain between classes – not during. ** 6. Adapt your behavior to the classroom activity. Individual, small group and whole class activities all require different behaviors; adjust accordingly keeping in mind that class participation can influence your grade. **__Do not disrupt our educational progress at any time.__** 7. Use school facilities and property appropriately. Any abuse to school property will be reported immediately.
 * __ Classroom Rules __**
 * __ RESPECT EVERYONE ONE PERSON AT A TIME ANSWER WITH WORDS __**

Mature appropriate behavior is expected at all times. In the event that **__//you choose//__** not to act responsibly, the following consequences have been established. Keep in mind that the teacher, student teacher, and any substitute teacher who may be present should be shown the same respect from you at all times. In most cases of infraction the following steps will be taken: 1. Warning 2. Student / Teacher conference 3. Parental contact and/or detention options For any serious violation of school rules, the above consequences will be disregarded, and the student will be sent to the office or an automatic detention (or other consequence) will be earned. Please refer to the student handbook.

This course is designed give you an introduction to Economics. By the end of the year, you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of economics and articulate an educated opinion in conversations. You should also be able to defy gravity, use Jedi mind tricks successfully, and think outside of the box in a galaxy far far away.
 * __ Course Description: __**

a. When making a choice, people choose the alternative that seems the best to them because it involves the least cost and the greatest benefit. b. We can use our understanding of human motivation and the range of choices they face to make economic predictions c. Individuals and societies have unlimited wants and limited resources, producing a constant tension within the economy. d. The potential for profit or absence of it can determine whether the public or private sector provides goods and services. e. The economic needs of a nation can lead it to believe it has the right to take over areas not originally under its control.
 * Economics: ** ** Enduring Understandings **

a. Why do people have to make choices? b. What are the characteristics of a good choice? How do people decide what is best for them when making an economic choice? c. How can past and present choices have an impact on the future? d. To what extent can we predict the outcomes of our current economic choices? e. How do people satisfy their needs and wants? f. How do economic systems deal with unlimited wants and limited resources? g. How do individuals deal with unlimited wants and limited resources? h. How can economic conditions influence a society if some goods and services are more suitable for production though public rather than private institutions? i. How can economic factors both cause and deter conflict?
 * Economics: Essential Questions **

Atlas Shrugged Wall Street Journal, selected readings The Economist, selected readings Budgeting in today’s economy Content Vocabulary from selected works Writing Process and Conventions
 * __ Tentative Course Content: __**
 * Final Essay ** —**This is a course requirement.** Specifics will be given at a later date. If you choose to not complete this requirement, you will fail the class. No exceptions.

**__ State Standards __** Successful completion of this course fulfills all PA State Standards for Economics.

Any student caught **or even SUSPECTED** of cheating on assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. will earn “0” credit on that assignment. Disciplinary consequences are also possible. Remember that Plagiarism is considered a form of cheating.
 * __ Academic Honesty __**

Your percentage grade will be determined by the total number of earned points divided by the total number of possible points. That said, the second half of the course is weighted more heavily than the first; the antidote for Senioritis is consistent hard work. Bonus point opportunities may be available throughout the year. If you need help with anything throughout the year or have a question about your grade, please do not hesitate to come see me.
 * __ Grading: __**

Any work not turned in on the day it is due will **__NOT__** be accepted for a grade. I repeat: **__Late work will NOT be accepted__** for credit after the initial due date. However, even if you do not earn credit for that particular assignment, I will remember your attempt, and turning an assignment in, even for no credit, shows character and integrity; this is better than not turning the assignment in at all!
 * __ Late Work: __**

One of the first things we will do this year is investigate your learning style preferences. I will then use this information to create better lessons, appeal to your strengths as learners, and help you to succeed. Occasionally, I will group you and your classmates into learning style groups and have you work on activities that focus on your strengths. This might mean that your assignment is slightly different from that of your fellow classmates, but rest assured that you will all meet the same learning goal.
 * __ Learning Styles: __**


 * __ Absenteeism: __**
 * YOU **** are responsible ** for **YOUR** work if you are absent. **CHECK EDLINE.** ** CHECK EDLINE. ** ** CHECK EDLINE. ** Do not wait until the next class to see me about missed work, please stop by my room as soon as you are back. Collect any materials from the **“While You Were Out” box** in my office. You will find any papers that you missed and, as appropriate, my lesson plans for the day. If you still have questions, then see me to explain. If you are absent for multiple days, have your parents call the Student Services office to request homework assignments. Otherwise use the “buddy system” to get notes or additional instructions. I am available by appointment if needed. **YOU are Responsible for your work if you are absent.**

Homework will be assigned as often as needed, but not necessarily after every class session. Reading is a necessary part of preparing for class; therefore, you will **often** have outside reading assignments to complete. Homework will not always be graded, but be prepared to turn it in every time. I might conduct a homework check, I might collect it for a grade, or I might give a homework check quiz, which would be based on the homework from the night before.
 * __ Homework: __**


 * THIS IS A TENTATIVE COURSE SYLLABUS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. MODIFICATIONS MAY BE IMPLEMENTED AS NEW MATERIALS, METHODS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES ARE INTRODUCED INTO THE CURRICULUM.**


 * // My contact information is listed below. If you contact me by telephone, I will attempt to return your call as soon as possible. Please understand, however, that I may not receive your message that day. For this reason, it is most efficient to contact me via e-mail. I will do my best to return your e-mail within 24 hours. //**


 * // MCD main office phone: (814) 835-5403 //**
 * // My office phone: (814) 835-5410 //**
 * // E-mail: czejdo@mtsd.org //**


 * // The absolute key to your student’s achievement is communication. I like to keep in touch with parents regarding class, grades, and behavior. I will contact you before a problem develops into a crisis, but I prefer to deal directly with your student first. Please do the same with me. Also, please check EDLINE regularly, as I update class information often and occasionally post scholarship links as well. //**