Social Science Department
St. Marguerite d’Youville S.S.
10815 Dixie Road, Brampton, Ontario. L6R 2W5
Telephone: (905) 789-5560 Fax: (905) 789-1143
Course Name:
Course Code:
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
Analysing Current Economic Issues
CIA 4U1
Mr. Karolidis
3
206
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course investigates the nature of the competitive global economy and explores how individuals
and societies can gain the information they need to make appropriate economic decisions. Students
will learn about the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, apply economic models and
concepts to interpret economic information, assess the validity of statistics, and investigate
marketplace dynamics. Students will use economic inquiry and communication skills to analyse
current economic issues, make informed judgments, and present their findings.
OVERALL COURSE EXPECTATIONS
At the end of the course students will be able to:
• explain the cause and nature of the three types of choices that all economic systems must
make;
• explain the nature of Canada’s economic growth and determine whether and/or how this
growth furthers the economic goal of efficiency;
• analyse the changing importance of the public and private sectors of the economy and what
this means for the achievement of the macroeconomic goals of freedom and equity;
• analyse the causes and consequences of economic instability and the effectiveness of
stabilization policies designed to help Canadians achieve an appropriate level of economic
security.
• describe economic stakeholder groups and the criteria each uses to make economic
decisions;
• explain the economic rights and responsibilities of “the economic citizen”;
• compare the ways and the degree to which different types of economic systems satisfy the
needs of stakeholders.
• explain how stakeholders use self-interest to make choices that maximize economic
wellbeing;
• describe how groups of stakeholders and markets within an economy are interdependent
and may be affected simultaneously by a change;
• assess the ways in which, and the degree to which, people in Canada and other countries
have become interdependent in the global economy;
• analyse examples of conflicts of self-interest that prevent the achievement of economic
goals.
• describe the nature and functions of Canada’s private economic institutions;
• describe the nature and functions of Canada’s public economic institutions;
• analyse the nature and functions of international economic institutions and their impact on
the Canadian economy.
• use methods of economic inquiry to locate, gather, evaluate, and organize different types of
current economic information from a variety of sources;
• analyse various economic choices, using the concepts, models , and processes of economic
inquiry;
• communicate the results of economic inquiries , using appropriate economic terms ,
concepts, and models, and a variety of forms.
COURSE CONTENT
This course will be organized according to the following themes:
Unit 1
The Nature of Economics and the Economy
Unit 2
Microeconomics: Understanding the Canadian Market Economy
Unit 3
Macroeconomics: Production and Monetary Flows in the Economy
Unit 4
Economic Decision Making
Unit 5
The Global Economy: International Trade and Development
EVALAUTION POLICY
Students will be assessed and evaluated according to the work they have produced and skills they
have displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing completed assignments, tests,
co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Student marks will be determined by
assessing and evaluating process and product according to the Achievement Level Chart given below.
Grade Range
Achievement Level
Achievement Level Description
80–100%
Level 4
A very high to outstanding level of achievement.
Achievement is above the provincial standard.
70–79%
Level 3
A high level of achievement. Achievement is at the
provincial standard.
60–69%
Level 2
A moderate level of achievement. Achievement is below,
but approaching, the provincial standard.
50–59%
Level 1
A passable level of achievement. Achievement is below
the provincial standard.
Below 50%
Insufficient achievement of curriculum expectations. A
credit will not be granted.
EVALUATION STRUCTURE
Student work will be assessed and evaluated according to the four achievement categories defined in
the curriculum document (Ontario Curriculum, Canadian and World Studies, 2005).
Category and Description
Knowledge and Understanding:

Weight
25%
Includes content acquired throughout the course and comprehension of its
meaning and significance.
Thinking:

25%
Deals with the use of critical and creative thinking skills and or processes.
Communication:

25%
Is conveying meaning through various forms.
Application:

25%
Includes the use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and
between various contexts.
FINAL GRADES
The four assessment and evaluation categories are reflected in day-to-day activities, quizzes, unit
tests, culminating activities, independent study units (ISU), and on the final examination.
The final grade in this course will be based on:
Place Course Name Here.
Grade Distribution
Term Work
70%
Examination
30%
RESOURCES
Economics Now: Analyzing Current Issues
REPLACEMENT COST AND DAMAGE
The replacement cost for a lost, stolen, or damaged textbook which is beyond repair is $85. 00. The
cost of repairing a damaged textbook will be paid by the student.
OTHER EVALUATION ISSUES
Please refer to the Student Agenda Handbook (2008/2009) for school policies on late assignments,
incomplete assignments, missed tests and examinations, plagiarism, absences, school suspensions and
other related issues.