Honors Economics

Spring 2020

Teacher:  Mr. Homa

E-mail: dhoma@lgsuhsd.org

Website:  www.davidhoma.com

Description and Objective:

Honors Economics is a college level course designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics. Honors Economics will emphasize the study of national income, economic performance measures, economic growth and international economics. The aim of Honors Economics is to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in a typical college introduction level economics course.  Students will learn to think like economists – to question, to evaluate marginal costs and marginal benefits, to explore the many ways that one action will cause secondary actions. 

The course will focus on Macroeconomics in order to best prepare students for the AP Macro exam in May if the students decides to take the exam. The textbook provides students with a comprehensive breakdown of concepts and corresponding percentages of those concepts that they can expect to see on each individual AP exam.

Macroeconomics

AP Macroeconomics is a course designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics in examining aggregate economic behavior. Students taking the course can expect to learn how the measures of economic performance, such as GDP, inflation and unemployment, are constructed and how to apply them to evaluate the macroeconomic conditions of an economy. Students will also learn the basic analytical tools of macroeconomics, primarily the aggregate demand and aggregate supply model and its application in the analysis and determination of national income, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of fiscal policy and monetary policy in promoting economic growth and stability. Recognizing the global nature of economics, students will also have ample opportunities to examine the impact of international trade and international finance on national economies. Various economic schools of thought are introduced as solutions to economic problems are considered.

Required Texts:

Ray, Margaret and David Anderson (2015).  Krugman's Economics for AP 2nd Edition.  New York:Worth Publisher.

You will need to get the following book:
Thaler, Richard (2015).  Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics.  New York:W.W. Norton & Company.

Class rules:

1.  Follow directions.  You are seniors.  ‘Nuff said.

2.  Always be in the door before the bell rings.  If you come in late for any reason quietly sit 

     down and then talk to me after class.

3.  All school rules apply in this classroom.

4.  No food or drinks (water is permitted).

5.  Always have your notebook with you.

6.  Always do your own work.

7.  Be an active participant in class and your own education.
8.  Cell phones must be turned off and placed in the phone holder at the front of the room at the beginning of each class.  This is how I take roll for class.  If you don't have a phone then place a card with your name in the slot for your number. 

Your Grade: Engagement

All assignments, assessments, and projects will have due dates.  Some dates will be chosen by me and other due dates will be chosen by you.  Your grade is completely in your control through how engaged you are in your own education.  You are welcome to come in during any tutorial to makeup, redo, or simply try harder on anything you do in this class.  There is a final "drop-dead" date for everything.  There is a final "drop-dead" date for everything which will be listed on the website.  After that date you will not be able to do anything else.  This truly puts the ball in your court.  Your are more than welcome to get whatever grade you want to depending on how interested and engaged you are with your own learning!

Anytime you have any problems with work PLEASE come talk with me.

Grades:

Canvas is the primary way to keep track of your grade.  I update grades on a regular basis.  You may always speak with me but make sure you have checked Canvas and have been keeping track of your grades throughout the semester.

Your grade will be based on the following:

1.  Each day one student will start the class with a brief presentation of an

     economic event occurring within the past four week.  Each student will sign up for

     three presentations during the semester.  Be prepared a few days ahead of your due date.  I 

     will give more details in class.

2.  Content Assessments

3.  Spending Journal and Parental Discussions
     I will explain this assignment in class.    

4.  Question Journal
      I will explain this assignment in class.

5.  Book project.  I will explain this in class.

6.  Everyone needs to drop by during turortial to tell me a bit about yourself. 

The grading scale:

A= 100-90

B=89-80

C=79-70

D=69-60

Extra Credit:

ex·tra (µk“str…) adj. Abbr. ext., ex., X 1. More than or beyond what is usual, normal, expected, or necessary. See Synonyms at  superfluous.

Extra credit is just as the definition implies.  I do not give extra credit.  From time to time I will add a few questions on an assignment or test but you will not know in advance.  Do not ask about extra credit!  This means you had better do all your work the first time!

Notebook:

1.  Each student should keep a notebook throughout the semester.  How you keep a notebook is completely up to you.  If you don’t know how to keep track of things at this point I doubt I can help you.