Economics Syllabus
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Economics
Dr. Michael Andrews, A.P. World History, A.P. European History, Economics,
& Tournament Debate; Head Coach, Speech and Debate Team
Email: mandrews@csh.k12.ny.us
Voicemail: (631) 367-6961
Extra help: Mondays after school in room H-3 (Fall semester) & by appointment; TBD for the Spring semester
Textbook: Gary E. Clayton’s Economics: Principles & Practices,
Grading: Each quarter may consist of a slightly different number of tests, essays, projects, and homework assignments depending upon how test days fall in the calendar, etc.
For any given quarter, add the following: Hypothetical numbers:
Essays/projects (100 pts. each)
if 3 essays/projects, up to 300 points
Multiple Choice Tests
(each 100 point test covers 1-2 chapter readings/topic areas)
if 3 tests, up to 300 points
Class Participation up to 100 points
700/7 = 100 pts.
The quarter grade will be computed by dividing the total number of points by the number of 100 pt. units assigned during a particular quarter. A quarter that had more/less essays, tests, and/or other assignments than another quarter might have a different total number of points, such as 600-800 points and then be divided by 6 or 8 accordingly.
Class Participation
(***Your attendance is very important. You cannot participate if you are not here; class participation includes in-class work, demonstrated knowledge of the readings in in-class discussions, and reaction papers to in-class videos.)
Tests (&/or Pop Quizzes)
(Tests will be given every one-two weeks in the typical semester, usually on only one or two chapters and usually in the objective (multiple choice or short answer) format. While chapter tests &/or quizzes will usually be announced, they may be unannounced on occasion to ensure that readings are done in a timely fashion.)
Projects/Oral Presentations/Research Papers/Documentary Reaction Papers (details to be given in class)
News/Current Events Presentations (details to be given in class)
Absence:
It is the student’s responsibility, not the teacher’s, to find out about and makeup any missing work, projects, papers, in-class assignments, &/or tests/quizzes missed because of legitimate absence*** either on the day of the student’s return or within one day of the student’s return either after school or during a period of the teacher’s choosing (if that student does not already have another class). Sports &/or other after school activities do not excuse a student from making up missed work. Assignments not submitted &/or tests/quizzes not taken because of a “cut” will receive a grade of a “zero.” Any “cut” during an academic quarter will have a serious and detrimental impact upon a student’s class participation grade for that quarter.
***Absences, other than for illness or attendance at funeral services, must be pre-approved by the teacher to be considered a legitimate absence for missing class in this course.
Lateness:
Students who are late must have a pass from another teacher. Frequent lateness will have a negative impact upon a student’s grade. Students who are scheduled to have a test or major assignment due that period are not excused from that period’s test or assignment simply because they “have a pass.”
Cell phone use is not allowed in class. Students who use cell phones during class will have their grade adversely affected significantly.
Extra help will be after school on Mondays in room H-3 (Fall 2014 semester) and by appointment.
Senior Research Paper
Each student will be required to complete a 4-6 page fully documented research paper which examines some aspect of a global, national, state, or local issue and how economics plays an important role in that issue. The research paper is required to be supported by utilizing at least four sources, at least one of which needs to be a non-internet source. Any internet source must be from a legitimate database. The format of the research paper should be in the MLA writing style and the paper should contain internal citations as well as a works cited page. The assignment will be broken into three parts. The first portion will be a formal one page topic proposal which will be due by the end of October (February). The second portion of the assignment will be an annotated bibliography of the sources to be used in the paper and will be due at the end of November, after Thanksgiving break (late March). The final portion of the assignment will be the completed paper and will be due before the end of the second quarter, the end of January (May).
"What Will My Future Cost?" Project
Students may be asked to complete this project in addition to (or during some semesters, in place of) the senior research paper. Please see description attached in the PDF file in the subpage labeled "What Will My Future Cost?" Project.
Community Service:
Seniors taking this course must complete 5 hours of community service no later than two weeks prior to the end of the semester. (A total of 10 hours is required for Public Affairs and Economics.) A signed* community service log sheet with contact information (*signed by the agency supervisor) or signed letter on agency letterhead and a two-page, typed student reflection paper on the experience submitted together will count as a second quarter grade worth 100 points.
The community service has to be unpaid volunteering at a non-for profit charity &/or public school or public service organization. It is not a business internship. Volunteering to help a family member or friend, while admirable, does not constitute community service for the purposes of this course.
