This one semester economics course will focus on the systematic study of man’s effort to satisfy his needs and wants by securing goods and services from the scarcity of nature. The high school economics course is an introduction to the essential concepts, principles, values and methods of economic analysis and their application to the modern world.

Course Background and Description
Economics is “the study of the choices that people make to satisfy their needs and wants” (Holt Economics, 3). Students will learn basic elements of micro- and macroeconomics. With an understanding of scarcity as life’s basic economic problem, they will study how individuals, families, businesses, cities, and countries satisfy their needs and wants. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of varying economic systems and market structures; they will learn how price acts as the key determinant of supply and demand; they will understand who our nation’s workforce is comprised of and how the market, with some government involvement at all levels, dictates our economy. Students will learn about money, the U.S. Banking system, and the Federal Reserve. Finally, students will discover the economic challenges nations face, the ways to measure a nation’s economic performance, and how the United States interacts with other nations in a global economy. California State Standards for grade twelve Economics, many of which are mentioned above, will be achieved as we cover the curriculum chapter by chapter.

Class Materials

• Textbook - Pennington, Robert L. Economics Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1999
• Book cover; paper or cloth only
• Blue or Black ink pens

Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on the following through a direct point-scoring system:

• Homework - book work, worksheets, outlines, etc.
• Quizzes - reading quizzes, in-class essays
• Solo Presentation
• Tests - one per chapter
• Midterm - after approximately 9 weeks, worth roughly 2 tests
• Final - heavier focus on material covered after the midterm, worth roughly 20% of the student's final grade

Classroom Rules
Refer mostly to the PLHS student handbook, 2009. General rules such as being seated before the bell, raising a hand for permission to speak, and refraining from social chatter all apply. Rules specific to the teacher will be explicitly stated (and repeated when necessary) in class. Respect and courtesy to both the teacher and fellow students will be enforced to ensure a classroom environment that is cohesive to learning.

Tardies and Absences
Unexcused tardies and absences will be treated equally in regards to their negative affect on a student’s grade. Two unexcused tardies or absences per quarter will be forgiven; however, every instance thereafter will drop the student’s quarter grade by 1%.

Extra Credit
These opportunities vary each year and are scattered throughout the course. Each opportunity will come with clear instructions and ample time for completion. Students are encouraged to take advantage of extra credit.