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Economics
Darien High School
Mr. Rinaldi
drinaldi@darienps.org
203-655-3981x2265
Course Objectives:
Provide students with the knowledge of the fundamental concepts of economics
To introduce basic skill in analyzing economic situations
To apply student understanding to personal financial goals and contemporary economic issues
To prepare students for AP Economics at DHS as well as college-level business coursework
Course Description:
This course will introduce students to basic economic concepts and fundamental notions of finance. Among the topics addressed are the supply and demand mechanisms, the role of the business firm, the consumer, labor, capital, the role and influence of government, politics and policy, the banking system, financial markets and international trade.
Course Expectations:
Students will be required to complete readings, homework problems, projects and activities, decision-making simulations, quizzes and tests. There will be a mid-term/final project.
Course Outline:
I. Introduction to Economics and Economic Systems (2 weeks – Roughly)
Major economic concepts: Scarcity, opportunity costs, decision making, incentives, market
economic system, command economic system, traditional economic system, economic
institutions.
II. Markets, Supply, and Demand (3 weeks – Roughly)
Major economic concepts: Markets and prices, supply and demand, controls on prices.
III. Business, Labor, and Market Structure (3 weeks – Roughly)
Major economic concepts: Productivity, profit, competition, monopoly, entrepreneurs, forms of
business organizations, stock market, labor unions, income, human capital.
IV. The Role of Government (2 weeks – Roughly)
Major economic concepts: Role of government in a market-based economic system, market
failures, government failures.
V. Macroeconomics (5 weeks – Roughly)
Major economic concepts: Gross domestic product, investment, unemployment, money, interest
rates, inflation and deflation, Federal Reserve, monetary policy, fiscal policy, national debt.
VI. The World Economy (3 weeks – Roughly)
Major economic concepts: Comparative advantage, voluntary trade/exchange, barriers to trade,
exchange rates, trade deficits and surpluses, international organizations.
National Content Standards in Economics
1. Scarcity
2. Decision Making
3. Allocation
4. Incentives
5. Trade
6. Specialization
7. Markets and Prices
8. Role of Prices
9. Competition and Market Structure
10. Institutions
11. Money and Inflation
12. Interest Rates
13. Income
14. Entrepreneurship
15. Economic Growth
16. Role of Government and Market Failure
17. Government Failure
18. Economic Fluctuations
19. Unemployment and Inflation
20. Fiscal and Monetary Policy
Grading:
During each quarter, grades will be based on a number of elements, divided roughly as listed
below:
Participation 10-20%
Projects/Activities 30-50%
Tests/Quizzes 30-40%
Grades will be calculated using a total points system – that is to say that a point earned in any of
the activities listed above will be valued as much as points from any other category. The number
of points in any given activity may vary from one quarter to another. There are no “extra credit”
opportunities. You earn better than average grades by doing better than average work.
Policies:
We will respect each other by paying attention, being polite and prompt, and by being prepared.
Work must be original; I will not tolerate plagiarism.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on their due date. No credit for late homework. Late assignments (other than homework) lose one full letter grade per day late. "Additional time" accommodations for long-term projects granted as a result of PPT/504 or PPT/IEP meetings will be at the FRONT END of projects.
Make-up work (due to illness or other excused absence) must be made up within one week of your return to class. Make-ups will not be given during class time. You are responsible for checking on what you are missing.
Absences before announced test/quiz dates will not excuse you from those tests or quizzes.
Assignments or tests due to unexcused absences may not be made up.
No cell phones, iPods, or other electronic gadgets in class, unless authorized. There's plenty of research that points to much better learning, retention, and performance among students who hand-write their notes. And there's plenty of other research that shows how distracting devices can be.
Extra Help:
I am available for "extra" help during my free/planning periods. If I’m not in the classroom, I might be in the Social Studies Office which is A208/A206 or a study hall or doing some other duty. I'll update you on my schedule at the beginning of each semester.
After school or before school help is available by appointment when other duties I have do not conflict. Your behavior and effort in class and on assignments, as well as your response to suggestions for improvement are important qualifiers for requesting extra support.
N.B. -- If you're having problems or if you have questions about how to approach an assignment, ask early. I won't be able to help you succeed unless we have time to work together.
Course Schedule:
The course schedule and assignments will be maintained on Google Classroom. You should set up your Google classroom app (on your phone, especially) so that you receive notifications when I post assignments.
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