Economics & the Free Market System
Fall 2014
Instructor: Mrs. Lenny Briones
E-mail: lbriones@houstonisd.org, wood_lenny@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/99958 (please bookmark page)
Conference Period: B2
Tutorials: Tuesdays after school
Room #329
Course Description
Economics/Free Enterprise is the study of the American economic system, as well as the study of other economic
systems, including communism and democratic socialism. Additional topics studied are the rule of money,
governmental involvement in business, business and labor organizations. The focus of the course is the functioning of
the free enterprise system in comparison with command and traditional economic systems. Forces that affect the free
enterprise system are studied in detail. Special attention is given to the problems of economic instability in our system
and suggestions for stabilization policy. A personal financial literacy unit is also included.
Textbook:
Clayton, Gary E. Economics: Principles & Practices. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2003.
http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/007879997x/student_view0/index.html
Current Events Assignment
Students are required to keep up with current economic news at the national and international levels. Students should
be prepared to submit & present one current event summary and analysis in their Monday class. Points will be
awarded on following directions (typed, 2 paragraphs: 1 summary, 1 your thoughts analysis, MLA citation), relevance
of source & article, and analysis of information. Suggested sources include New York Times, Wall Street Journal,
Washington Post, The Economist, Business Week, NPR Radio at 88.7 FM, PBS (channel 8), PBS (News Hour
weekday nights at 6:00 PM and the Nightly Business Report at 5:30 PM), and NPR (daily business report at 6:30PM).
Please do not use local news as a source for your current events.
Grading Policies
We will strictly adhere to all Houston ISD policies in respect to grading, make-up work, progress reports and
attendance. This information can be found in your student handbook. See DeBakey Tracker for information on and
consequences of cheating.
Activities and Grading
Assessments / Presentations
Quizzes
Homework / Daily Activities
40%
30%
30%
There will be frequent quizzes over reading & lectures and a minimum of two tests per cycle that will include a
combination of multiple choice and free response questions. Daily activities include participation in discussions and
simulations. It is highly recommended that you do all your homework and practice activities.
Tips for “Making the Grade”:
1. Pay attention and participate in class discussions.
2. Turn off the computer/TV when you’re working!
3. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!
4. Let me know!!! I can’t help you if I don’t know there is a problem.
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Economics & the Free Market System
Fall 2014
Responsibilities and Expectations
 Students are expected to respect themselves and others in their manner and words.
 Follow all classroom procedures outlined in the student handbook and the HISD student code of conduct
 Attendance is vital to success. Students should email me the day they are absent (& read my response) to find out
what they missed and need to do (lbriones@houstonisd.org or wood_lenny@yahoo.com).
 Here is my late policy: I HATE LATE (Points will be deducted & no assignments accepted after 1 week late).
 Incomplete work is not acceptable.
 Make-up Policy: In the case of an absence it is YOUR responsibility to 1) email me, 2) check website, & 3) contact
me for missed assignments and due dates before the next class.
 Re-take Policy: Failed tests may be retaken within 5 days of receiving failing grade. Students must complete a
review assignment in order to retake a test. The two tests will be averaged for a final grade. There will be no retakes on tests given during the last week of each cycle. Final exam cannot be re-taken.
 Technology policy: While we do utilize the web for various tasks (so laptops & smartphones are helpful), I require
all notes and work to be neatly handwritten. There are 2 reasons for this: handwritten notes help you learn
(Scientific American) and there are fewer distractions (games!) while you’re working, . You’re welcome!
 There are no restroom breaks in the first and last 15 minutes of the class period.
 Please come to class prepared and bring binder with 5 dividers, paper, pens, pencils, and a highlighter every day.
 All handwritten work should be neat and legible (to me).
 There are no restroom breaks in the first and last 15 minutes of the class period.
 Keep ALL work. I can guarantee you will need it.
 Stay on task and focused on what we're doing; it's how you learn and it's polite.
Ethics Statement:
Cheating is wrong. Cheating hurts our community by undermining academic integrity, creating mistrust, and fostering
unfair competition. The school will punish cheaters with failure on an assignment, failure in a course, permanent
transcript notation, suspension, and/or expulsion. Offenses will be reported to school administration, colleges,
universities, medical, law, or other professional or graduate schools when a cheater applies.
Violations can include cheating on exams, plagiarism, reuse of assignments without permission, improper use of the
Internet and electronic devices, unauthorized collaboration, alteration of graded assignments, forgery and
falsification, lying, facilitating academic dishonesty, and unfair competition. Ignorance of these rules is not an excuse.
(Source: Johns Hopkins University)
For more information, refer to your DeBakey Student Handbook (time-tracker) or the Houston ISD Code of Student
Conduct.
Respect yourself and others by your actions and words. This means exhibit:
INTEGRITY, HONESTY, CONSIDERATION, KINDNESS, AND
SELF-CONTROL.
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Economics & the Free Market System
Fall 2014
Scope & Sequence (One Semester Course: 16 weeks, 90 minute blocks, 84 instruction days):
1st six weeks:
Unit 1: Personal Financial Literacy
Budgeting
Savings, Borrowing & Investing
Economic choices & Business organizations
2nd six weeks:
Unit 2: Fundamental Economic Concepts
Basic Economic Concepts
Circular Flow Model
Supply, Demand & Price Determination
Unit 3: Economic Systems & Free Enterprise
Traditional, command, and market economies
Free Enterprise & Role of Government
3rd six weeks:
Unit 4: Macro Principles & Policies
Business Cycle & Growth
Money & Monetary Policy
Fiscal Policy
Unit 5: International and Global Economics
Market Structures & Competition
Global Trade & Economy
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