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Curriculum and Instructional Guide
Curriculum and Instructional Guide
Course Description: The purpose of this course in economics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy and on national income and price-level determination. It also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics.
Students learn to analyze the role that economic theory, practices, and approaches have on both personal, national, and international economic forces.
Key Ideas include things such as vocabulary, essential knowledge, places, historical figures
Course Concepts - The content and performance Social Studies standards are organized around the following guidelines:
ECO - Economics – Economics includes the study of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Students will understand how their economic decisions affect themselves, others, the nation, and the world as a whole. Students will be able to reconcile unlimited wants with limited resources. Students will understand the effects of economic decisions in daily living.
GEO - Geography – Geography includes the study of location, place, regions, movement and human interaction with the environment. Understanding the world and its delicate balance are essential to human survival. A geographic perspective allows better understanding of the past and preparation for the future.
HIS - History – History is an interpretation of events, people, ideas, and their interaction over time. In order for students to understand the present and make plans for the future, they must understand the past. Students will be able to understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspectives.
CIV - Civics & Government – Citizenship entails an understanding of the nature of government and the unique qualities of a democracy including fundamental rights, structure, and the role of the citizen. Students will apply justice, equality, responsibility, and freedom to life. Students will understand and be able to describe various forms of government and analyze rights and responsibilities within each
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Ways to Infuse the Catholic Faith:
Catholic Social Teaching Themes:
Life and Dignity of the Human Person – The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. The Church believes that every person is precious, that people are more important than things and the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Call to Family, Community and Participation – The Catholic Church tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred but also social. Marriage and the family is the central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. Our Church teaches that the role of government and other institutions is to protect human life and human dignity and promote the common good.
Rights and Responsibilities – Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable – Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. We are instructed in Matthew 25: 31-46 to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers – The Catholic Church believes that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.
Solidarity – Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means learning that “loving our neighbor” has global dimensions in an interdependent world.
Care for God’s Creation –The Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.
Unit 1
The Church recognizes that the acquisition and ownership of private goods is a right, but one that is second to the need to take care of the poor and less fortunate. How can an economic system be organized to recognize both individual rights and responsiblities to the poor and vulnerable?
What responsibility do wealthy nations have towards less economically productive nations?
What is the Universal Destination of Goods and how do various economic systems promote or impede this value?
Unit 2&3
How can households and individuals resist a culture of consumerism when making decisions in the market?
What other freedoms besides economic freedom must households keep in mind when making economic decisions?
How do firms blance a profit motive for production with the requirement to provide just wages and working conditions for its employees?
Unit 4&5
How can the government recognize the dignity of work while also providing benefits for people who are currently unemployed?
What is the role of the government in providing for those that are less fortunate? How can economic policy reflect a preferential option for the poor?
How can governments respect the role of subsidiarity when making economic policy decisions?
What are some of the society-wide goals that governments forgo when focusing only on economic growth?
What is role of the Church in affecting economic policy decision-making?
Unit 6
What threats do globalization and international trade pose to the environment? How can international cooperation between governments address pressing social issues?
How does participation in a global economy threaten the existence of and participation in local communities?
Unit 7
The fifth precept of the Church is that “You shall help provide for the needs of the Church.” What plans can you make in your budget to satisfy this precept?
What sacrifices should be made in one’s personal consumption to make sure that the less fortunate are provided for?
What moral and ethical considerations should one keep in mind when making investment decisions?
Catholic Resources:
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