13. Government Regulations
14. Economic Goals
15. Role of Labor
16. Inflation and its Indicators
17. The Business Cycle
18. The Fed
19. Federal Budget Process
20. International Commerce, Exchange
Rates and Trade Agreements
Student Outcomes
Course:
Instructor:
Academic Year:
E-mail
Economics/Governemt
Mr. Blaine Geissel
2013-2014
The students will gain Economic and Financial
understanding to be able to live and compete
in an international environment that is full of
pitfalls. Economics is the study of choices that
individuals, businesses, governments and
entire societies make as they cope with
scarcity and incentives. My class will take a
practical approach to learning how to navigate
the future economically and financially.
jgeissel@garces.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Economics and Government is a two-semester
course. This course is presented as an
essential life skill in economic and financial
literacy. The course of Economics will cover
81 learning modules, classroom instruction and
simulations. The iPad will be used on a daily
basis as well as the interactive iBook. The
green sheet for Government will be distributed
in December.
COURSE OF STUDY
1. Economics and Economic Decisions
2. Economic Systems
3. Factors of Production
4. Production and Consumption
5. Types of Businesses
6. Firm Behavior
7. Supply and Demand
8. Equilibrium
9. Elasticity
10. Economic Functions of Government
11. Market Failure and the Role
Government
12. Private Property
of
REQUIRED MATERIALS
eBook
Title:
Authors:
Publisher:
Copyright:
Economics
Virginia Department of Education
Virginia Department of Education
2012
How to download the book:
1. Open iBooks
2. Go to search
3. Type in Economics
4. It is usually the first book listed (with this
cover)
Supplemental Materials


One notebook
Pen and sharpened pencil



missing assignment completed and turned in
by the second day back to class or no credit
will be assigned.**
One red pen
Graph paper
A set of earbuds
The homework assignments will be posted on
iTunes U.
COURSE EVALUATION
The course is evaluated on a points basis.
Each homework assignment, quiz, and test will
be assigned a point value. The homework
points will be totaled at the conclusion of a
grading period.
A percentage will be
determined by dividing that total by the total
number of homework points possible. The
same will be done for quizzes and tests. The
final exam for each semester is worth 20% of
your semester grade.
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
HOMEWORK:
QUIZZES:
TESTS:
FINAL EXAM:
10%
20%
20%
30%
20%
TOTAL
100%
Class Participation: Students will receive
participation points every day in class. It will
comprise of the student’s participation in the
class, i.e. answering questions in class or
participating in simulations, whether they bring
their iPad every day, and bringing all materials
such as their charged iPad, notebooks,
pencils, pen, etc…Student disruption (i.e.
talking in class), not having their iPad, or not
having the iPad charged will lower their
participation grade.
Homework: Homework will be mostly the
interactive reading in the iBook. A daily quiz
when students enter class will be a reflection of
the completion of the readings. There will be
longer assignments given and information will
be passed out when assigned. Mandatory
collaboration will be assigned for missing
assignments for NO CREDIT.
**If a student is absent for a homework
assignment, the student is required to have the
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given frequently,
most likely as often as every class period.
Please be prepared. If you miss a quiz, you
will make it up on the first day back to school.
Tests: Unit Tests are given every few weeks
and almost always worth 100 points. A missed
test will be made up the first day back after an
absence.
Semester Exams will be
comprehensive. The semester exam will be
worth 20% of the semester grade.
Projects:
Enrichment projects will be
assigned throughout the semester. Directions
and timelines will be provided.
Quarter
projects will be worth one test grade. There
will be one yearlong project, Parable of the
Talents.
All grades for quizzes, tests and homework will
be available for viewing on Classroom Net.
You can expect all the graded material to be
returned to the student within seven (7) days of
completion and all grades will be updated on
Classroom Net within that time as well.
*There are a few opportunities for extra credit,
but it is not on a regular basis and does not
make up for missing homework or low-test
scores.*
iTunes U
Course materials, assignments, and other
materials will be on iTunes U, it is imperative to
check the course daily. The enrollment code
will be provided.
GRADING SCALE
Please refer to the student handbook
CLASS RULES

Students are expected to be SEATED IN THEIR DESKS before the second bell begins
ringing. Late students will be assigned JUG.

Students are expected to bring all materials to class

If a student is on campus the day of the test or quiz, the student must take the test or quiz on
that day. If you must miss the class for whatever reason, you must make advanced
arrangements with me to reschedule the test/quiz.

If a student fails to take a scheduled make-up exam, a grade of zero will be given for that
exam.

The bell at the end of class doesn’t excuse you. I DO.

The Dress Code is always in effect. If a student is not dressed in proper attire, he/she will be
assigned JUG.

Only bottled water is allowed in the classroom at any time.

Borrowing a calculator from the instructor will have a rental cost.

Whenever anyone besides a fellow student walks in the classroom, you will immediately stand
up and remain standing until instructed to be seated.

All violations of class rules and rules outlined in the student handbook are subject to a 1 day
JUG. Continuous violations and severe violations are subject to a referral.

Bathroom is to be used before class begins. Two passes per semester will be assigned.

CELL PHONE USE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. The student will lose 5 points on next
quiz or test for first offense, 10 for second offense, 15 for third and referral. Cell phones
will be confiscated and given to the dean as per the handbook.

The iPad agreement is upheld for use in the classroom.
ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
Questionable works by any student (like copying) will receive no credit for that assignment. In the
interest of academic honesty and the principles of the honor code, any incidents involving plagiarism,
cheating, and/or violation of test code procedures will be dealt with in accordance with the academic
ethics policies of Garces Memorial High School as outlined in the student handbook.
TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE:
Tutors can assist with homework, but cannot do the homework and/or projects. If a student has a
tutor outside of class, the parents or tutor may contact me to clarify the needs of the student and the
expectations for the assistance that will be given. Tutors are allowed to help students identify and
explain errors, but are not allowed to rewrite a student’s work.
AVAILABILITY:
I am available to answer questions and assist you with areas of difficulty in this course during
collaboration and my posted office hours. I check my e-mail daily and I will respond within a 24hour period.
COLLABORATION:
During collaboration I may, in advance, require you to come in to make up a test, quiz, or homework
assignment. It is expected that you will make the necessary arrangement to do so. JUG will be
issued for not attending mandatory collaboration without prior arrangements.
Please read this course outline and have your parents read it and sign it. Keep it in your binder at all
times.
Please have it signed and returned by Monday/Tuesday August 19 th/20th 2013
I HAVE READ THIS COUSE INFORMATION SHEET AND UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATIONS,
RULES, AND GRADING PROCEDURES FOR THIS CLASS.
___________________________________________
Student name (print)
___________________________________________
Student signature
___________________________________________
Parent/guardian signature