AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Economics
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
IPG: Third Six Weeks
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Freedom
GRADE LEVEL: 12
Citizens should remember the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of a country and the values
on which a country was established.
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How does a government reflect a commitment to the personal freedoms that are part of its history?
Why is it important for the public to observe past sacrifices made for freedom?
How can the public observe past sacrifices and values on which their country was founded?
How are individual rights connected to freedom promoted in a society?
How do the values of a society influence the rights associated with freedom?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Resources
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
Governments must obtain and consume resources in order to function efficiently.
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How does a government collect its resources and what does it do with them?
Why does a government often consume more of its resources instead of obtaining them?
How can limits be placed on how a government can obtain and consume its resources?
When is it mandatory for a government to spend its resources and when can it use discretion to
do so?
©Austin Independent School District, 2009- 10
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Economics
IPG: Third Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 12
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Policy
Overarching
Government policies on taxing and spending have a powerful impact on the overall economy.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How are fiscal policies used to achieve economic growth and stability?
Why is it difficult to put fiscal policies into practice?
To what extent is debt created by fiscal policies considered a problem?
How do fiscal and monetary policies affect business cycles?
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Exchange
Overarching
Idea
Economic exchange impacts society on a global level.
Guiding
Questions
 Why is the exchange of products between different nations a complex process?
 How do exchange, efficient use of resources, and specialization in production benefit the global
society?
 What role does the unequal distribution of resources play in global exchange?
 Why does a nation choose to place barriers on the free exchange of goods?
©Austin Independent School District, 2009- 10
2
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Economics
IPG: Third Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 12
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Role/Status
Overarching
Economic development determines a nation’s role and status in the global economy.
Idea
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Guiding
Questions
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What role does economic development play in determining a nation’s role and status in the global
economy?
Why do many less-developed nations have difficulty in improving their role and status in the global
economy?
How can a less-developed nation improve its role and status in the global economy?
©Austin Independent School District, 2009- 10
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