ECONOMICS COURSE OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS        

2008-2009        

Mr. Bartels

Welcome to Junior Achievement economics, a required one-semester course worth .5 Nouvel credit.  Below you will find information useful during the semester, including tips on earning a good grade.   Attendance and participation are factored into your grade. 

• JA Textbook and studyguide: 
  1. Required reading of chapters assigned
  2. Completion of studyguide pages and/or Chapter tests as assigned, on-time
  3. It is your responsibility to bring these to class each day.
  4. Any copying (cheating) results in a zero grade for those involved.

• Classroom consultants:
  1. Your class will have one or more JA consultants assigned to deliver instruction in coordination with our class topics.
  2. Your responsibility is to be attentive, ask good questions, and participate in class discussions in a meaningful and appropriate manner.
  3. You will be held accountable for material presented by the consultants.

• Policies:

1. Cheating is not tolerated, zero grade given for all involved.

2. Late work (after due date):

• 1 day late -25%
• 2 days late -50%
• 3 or more days late = no credit
• Excused absences: if assignment was given on a day you were here, or you otherwise are aware of the due date, you should be prepared with your work upon return to school.  It is your responsibility to get your assignments if you’re absent.  My email address is pbartels@nouvel.org
• Unexcused absences: late penalties apply. The #1 reason for low grades is missing or late work.

• Stock market simulation:
  1. Weekly update of you/your team’s portfolio is required.
  2. If you are not present on the day your class updates, your partner will be responsible to complete the update.  If you are alone or neither is present, or there’s no class that day, that week may be skipped.
  3. Points will be deducted for incomplete or inaccurate updates, not being prepared with pencil, calculator.
  4. Prizes may be awarded for top portfolios near the end of the semester.

• Wall Street Journal articles:
  1. Required eight (8) articles on a variety of business/economics topics. 
  2. You must keep track of all your articles and *save them!!!* in a folder for an end of semester audit of points.
  3. Must follow guidelines on handout.
  4. No guarantee of full credit; credit is earned, not automatic.
  5. Must be turned in on time and done completely for full credit.
  6. Any less than 8 results in a zero grade for each one missed.
  7. Must submit article from that weeks’ WSJ with your neatly handwritten or typed summary attached.

• Tests and Quizzes:

1.        May occur as often as weekly.

2.        Material is taken from JA book/studyguide.

• Final Exam:

1.        Comprehensive over all JA material and speaker presentations.

2.        Essay format, possible multiple choice as well. Critical thinking is emphasized.

“Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: Describe the basic characteristics of the U.S. economic system, with an emphasis on the role of private property, the price system,  competition, and entrepreneurship, demonstrate how fundamental economic concepts, such as markets, incentives, and opportunity costs, operate in the U.S. and throughout the world, develop an understanding of the economic principles that influence business decisions, describe the economic roles governments play in the market economy, understand the need for ethical standards for business leaders, producers, and consumers, foster appropriate life, study, and decision-making skills, explore career opportunities, consumer issues, and other aspects of personal economics, benefit from their contact with the business community, reinforce important academic and leadership skills: research and data analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, small group participation and leadership, and public speaking.”