2. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Email Address: School: brettweiss@u-46.org brettweiss@u-46.org Home Email Address: brettteach@gmail.com brettteach@gmail.com School Phone–630-372-4700 ext. 4737; Cell Phone: 630-248-5405 Class Overview: At the end of this class it is expected that students will have a good understanding of both the principles and theories of Economics as well as their role and responsibilities as a consumer in our mixed market economy. Students will learn through a combination of traditional textbook concepts and the day to day realities of the world. As your teacher I expect this class and your education to be very important to you and for you to give 100% effort each and every day. If you have any problems or questions on this, please talk to me immediately.

3. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Excellence: It is expected that each of you will strive for excellence each and every day in this class. Success will come from hard work and pushing yourself harder than you thought you could. Honesty: It is expected that at all times in this class you will be a person of honesty and integrity. Nothing less than 100% honesty and integrity will be tolerated.

4. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Your final grade will come from the following: 1.Weekly Article Work. (Worth 25 Pts/Week – partial credit if late!!) 2.Board Work (5 pts/Day) – partial credit if late 3. You will have a test on Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. 4. Homework Assignments 5. Pop Quizzes Categories will be weighted and passed out on a separate sheet.

5. 6. Weekly Participation Points: You will get 25 points each week for doing what you are supposed to do: Be on time; Listen; Do your work; etc. etc. If you do not do the things you are supposed to be doing each week, then you will get something less than 25 points per week. 7. Commodities Project: You will get a chance to earn Extra Credit on your prediction and will write a very small paper. Categories will be weighted and passed out on a separate sheet. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss

6. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss 8. Consumer Budget Project – You will learn about the day to day realities of being a consumer 9. “Giving Back” Project – When you become successful economic citizens it will be expected that you give back to people in the world who are not as fortunate as you. Do not hesitate to contact me either in person, via text, phone or email, if you need help on anything. I want every person in this class to be very successful so you will learn a lot about Economics and go out and be a great Economic Citizen and make the world a better place.

7. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss One of the main lessons I have learned from working in schools in Kenya and Rwanda is how committed each of the students in these countries are to their education. None of them would ever consider being late for a class; missing a class; talking while someone else is talking; being disrespectful in any way. It has made me realize that I should expect nothing less from my students here at Bartlett High School. Maybe they are just more lucky than you that they live in absolute poverty!!

8. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Our capitalistic society, or mixed economy, is one where its success, or lack of success, is very much determined by the intelligence and knowledge of its people/consumers. A key part of that knowledge, is how well one understands our economic system and how it works. The more people understand about our economy works, the better our economy will be. Also, for you as an individual, the better you understand how our economy works, the more success you will have throughout your life on economic and business issues.

9. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Each of you will soon be entering a world that is far different than the world your parents or grandparents entered. It is a world of “globalization” where your neighbors, friends, enemies and competitors are not just the people in your community, but they are in every country of the world. You are entering a world of worldwide instant communications whether that be through email, blogs, chat rooms, cell phones, etc. You are not just competing with seniors throughout the United States, but with every young person your age in the entire world..

10. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss This class will help you to get a much better understanding of that world you are about to enter and how to be successful in it. In your lifetime the United States will lose first place as the dominant economic power in the world. Exactly how this effects you and the rest of the people in the United States will be determined by how ready you are to successfully compete in this world of globalization.

11. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss A major goal of this class will be to turn you into adults who will be “Economic Upstanders” and not “Economic Bystanders”. I want you to be people who will stand up for your rights, and the rights of others as an Economic Citizen and as a consumer. Stand up for yourself; Make sure your voice is heard!; Don’t let anyone take advantage of you!

12. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Topics to be covered: Unit 1: An Introduction to Economics Chapter 1 – What Is Economics? Chapter 2 – Economic Systems & the American Economy Unit 2 – Practical Economics: How Theory Works for You Chapter 3 – Your Role as a consumer Chapter 4 – Going Into Debt Chapter 5 – Buying the Necessities Chapter 6 – Saving and Investing

13. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Unit 3 – Microeconomics: Markets, Prices and Business Competition Chapter 7 – Demand and Supply Chapter 8 – Business Organizations Chapter 9 – Competition and Monopolies Unit 4 – Microeconomics: American Business in Action Chapter 10 – Financing and Producing Goods Chapter 11 – Marketing and Distribution Chapter 12 – The American Labor Force

14. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss Unit 5 – Macroeconomics – The Nation’s Economy Chapter 13 – Measuring the Economy’s Performance Chapter 14 – Money and Banking Chapter 15 – The Federal Reserve System and Monetary Policy Chapter 16 – Government Spends, Collects and Owes Chapter 17 – Stabilizing the National Economy

15. Mr. Weiss Regular Economics Syllabus – 2013-2014 – Mr. Weiss There will be a Final Exam at the end of the Semester There will be a Final Exam at the end of the Semester Unit 6 – The International Scene Chapter 18 – Trading With Other Nations Chapter 19 – Economic Growth in Developing Nations Chapter 20 – The Global Economy You will see the movies, “Erin Brockovich”, “Norma Rae” and “The Pursuit of Happyness” to help you learn the skills and gain the courage to be an “Economic Upstander”!