U.S. Economics
2013-2014
Coach Ullrich
E-mail: jullrich@dentonisd.org
Phone: 940-369-2263
Conference Periods: 3B
Tutorials: Mon., Wed. through Friday
8:00 - 8:40 a.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
United States Economics is a one-semester course which helps the students’ understand events and conditions in the
economy. The study of economics deals with how society addresses the allocation of scarce resources. The course
addresses that economic decisions involve making trade-offs that will include both costs and benefits. The theoretical
content will cover all the basic economic principles such as supply and demand, inflation, employment, resource
management, government spending, economic stability-instability. The course provides opportunities to use analytical skills
based on knowledge gained within the course. The course also provides a practical approach to address the “personal
finance” requirements recently required by the Texas Education Agency. The goal of the personal finance component is to
prepare students to make informed decisions about spending, saving, investments, credit, and other matters concerning
financial success.
TEXTBOOK
Economics Principles and Practices, (Glencoe)
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENT LEARNING
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/ssc/teks_and_taas/teks/teksecon.htm
It is my goal to provide a classroom culture that invites analytical thinking, encourages creativity, and demands academic
success. Students should be punctual, prepared, and an active participant in order to receive the maximum benefit of this
educational learning experience.
MATERIALS
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Composition notebook for journaling
Binder or notebook, whichever way you prefer to organize your notes (separate from journal)
Blue and/or black ink pens (bright colors are hard to read)
#2 pencils (for Scantrons)
At least one box of tissues (2 points per box, for up to five points on first major grade)
COURSE TOPIC OUTLINE:
FUNDAMENTAL ECONOMIC CONCEPTS
WHAT IS ECONOMICS?
ECONOMIC SYSTEMS AND DECISION MAKING
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
MICROECONOMICS
DEMAND SUPPLY
PRICES AND DECISION MAKING
MARKET STRUCTURES
MACROECONOMICS: INSTITUTIONS
EMPLOYMENT, LABOR, WAGES
SOURCES OF GOVERNMENT REVENUE GOVERNMENT SPENDING MONEY AND
BANKING FINANCIAL MARKETS
MACROECONOMICS: POLICIES
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
ECONOMIC INSTABILITY THE FED AND MONETARY POLICY ACHIEVING ECONOMIC STABILITY
INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL ECONOMICS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES GLOBAL ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
PERSONAL FINANCE
UNDERSTANDING INTEREST, AVOIDING AND ELIMINATING CREDIT CARD DEBT
UNDERSTANDING THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OF RENTING OR BUYING A HOME
MANAGING MONEY TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM RENTING A HOME TO OWNERSSTARTING
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BEING A PRUDENT INVESTOR IN THE STOCK MARKET AND USING OTHER INVESTMENT OPTIONS BEGINNING A
BANKRUPTCY
THE TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO
CONSUMERS AND THE BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING A BANK ACCOUNT
BALANCING A CHECK BOOK
THE TYPES OF LOANS
AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS AND BECOMING A LOW RISK BORROWER
UNDERSTANDING INSURANCE CHARITABLE GIVING
A SMALL BUSINESS
SAVINGS PROGRAM AND PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT
GRADING POLICY
a. Daily Quizzes
(40%) , Projects and Tests (60%): Retakes are only an option
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Platinum Rule: treat others as they wish to be treated (within the student code of conduct)
All school rules and policies will be observed throughout this course. Also, the students will be responsible for arriving on
time, being prepared, participating in class, and maintaining their work area. DHS policy requires ID badges to be worn and
students to dress within the dress code. Food, drink, and gum are not permitted in the classroom- water only. Minor
infractions will be handled through verbal conference, parent contact, or teacher detention. Frequent or major infractions
will be referred to the office.
THREE-WEEK PROGRESS REPORTS
Three-week progress reports on the Wednesday and Thursday of the 4th week of each six weeks for students who are
earning 75 and below. These progress reports include every assignment and the scores on each assignment, as well as an
average to date. Gradespeed is updated regularly as I strive to enter grades within a week of collecting them so that
students and parents can regularly monitor progress.
E-Alerts and Gradespeed
In order to sign up for e-alerts, go to the Denton High School home page: http://www.dentonisd.org/dentonhs/site/default.asp.
Under the Parent tab to the top, there is a drop down selection: E-Alerts. Follow the instructions to sign up for the e-alerts.
You can sign up for every class your child is in. Having access to Parent Connection and Gradespeed will allow you to not only
monitor your child’s grades, but his/her attendance.
In order to sign up for Gradespeed, go to the Denton High School home page:
http://www.dentonisd.org/dentonhs/site/default.asp. Under the Parent tab at the top, there is a link: Parent Connection. Follow
the instructions to sign up for Gradespeed. All of your child’s classes should be available for you to view.
Dedication, Honor, Success… We Are DHS
an International Baccalaureate World School
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