COURSE SYLLABUS

University City High School

Mr. Irwin - School Year 2009 – 2010
858-457-3040 Ext 102
www.mirwin.weebly.com
ECONOMICS

TEXT: Economics Principles in Action (Prentice Hall, 2003).

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This one semester course explores the choices and
decisions that people make about how to use the world’s limited resources. The
goal of this course is to equip the student with knowledge that is strongly rooted
in economic principles so that he or she will be able to differentiate between
economic models, understand issues pertaining to global and national
economics, gain insight into choices that businesses must make, and learn the
importance of managing personal finances and planning for ones future financial
security.

COURSE METHODS:
• Reading from textbook, newspapers and other material
• Lectures and note taking
• Class discussions relating to assigned readings
• Films and slide shows
• Homework including assigned readings and written responses
• Term projects
• Current events
• Small group activities

GRADING POLICY AND SCHOLARSHIP:

A weighted points system will be used to determine student grades as detailed
below:
1. Tests will comprise 50% of a student’s grade.
2. Quizzes will comprise 20% of a student’s grade.
3. Written class work, homework and notes in student’s notebook will comprise
15% of the grade.
4. Term projects will comprise 15% of the student’s grade.

CLASSROOM RULES AND POLICIES:

1. The student is to be on time, in assigned seat and beginning work by the time
the bell rings.
2. The student will come to class prepared to work by bringing all needed
materials such as notebook, paper, pencil, pen, textbook and any other
material that may be required.
3. Respect the authority of the teacher and the rights of all students to learn.
4. Obtain teacher recognition before speaking. Do not talk when the teacher or
an acknowledged student is speaking.
5. Electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, iPods, other MP3 Players,
CD Players, accessories to these devices, or similar items are to be kept
turned off and stored out of sight, in purse or backpack.
6. Obey and follow all school rules, respect others and their material and
property.

TARDIES AND TRUANCIES:

1. ONE (1) tardy results in a student/teacher talk and loss of citizenship points.
2. TWO (2) tardies will result in a communication to parent or guardian and loss
of citizenship points.
3. THREE (3) tardies will result in detention and loss of citizenship points.
4. FOUR (4) tardies will result in a referral and loss of citizenship points.
5. TRUANCY – truancy policy SB813 will be enforced. Truant students will
receive a referral; suspension may occur; parent will be notified; citizenship
points will be deducted.

HOMEWORK:
Daily/Weekly class work and/or homework assignments will be given. Students
are expected to complete all assignments, and to manage their time in such a
way as to meet all due dates. No late work will be accepted!!!

IRWIN WEBSITE & CLASS ASSIGNMENTS :

The website for my Economics class can be accessed at:

www.mirwin.weebly.com or www.universitycityhigh.org

This is where I post all class assignments, objectives and due dates. Students
will visit this site regularly. Parents are encouraged to visit the class website at
any time, in order to stay informed about tests, quizzes, homework assignments,
projects and their respective due dates. This class website will be used as a
portal to online quizzes that will comprise 20% of the student’s grade. Also from
the class website, students and parents can email me, simply by clicking on the
icon that says “Send Email to Mr. Irwin.”

MAKE-UP WORK:
Since it is expected that the student will be in class every day, except for
legitimate reasons such as a serious illness, there should be very few instances
in which a student needs to make up work. So that students can always stay
informed about their assignments and due dates, all assignments will be posted
on the class website. As the result, students will be expected to turn in
legitimately missed work on the day of their return or at the latest, within 24
hours. All Missed quizzes will receive a grade of zero. Legitimately missed tests
must be made up by appointment after school, within the next five class days.
The teacher reserves the right to use alternative tests for make-up purposes.
Failure to make up missed assignments, including tests, in the manner
described, will result in a grade of “zero” for the missed assignment or test.

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LEARNING EXPECTATION:
The state of California has adopted educational standards that describe the
knowledge and skill sets that the student is expected to acquire as the result of
this course of study. I will plan lessons that address these standards and will
deliver a curriculum that meets the California Standards. In order to acquire the
proper knowledge and skill sets mentioned, the student must make the effort
to learn, by accepting responsibility for all work assigned and by self-
managing the reading/homework load each week. Properly executed, each
student will exit this course with solid knowledge in Economics and Personal
Finance.

CHEATING:
UCHS has an academic honesty policy that will be followed. Student behavior
involving any form of cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. This
includes cheating on tests or quizzes, using “canned” essays, copying another
student’s homework, and/or any other form of dishonesty. Evidence of violation
of the UCHS honesty policy will result in a grade of zero for the assignment, no
make up opportunity, a referral, a call home to parents and the lowering of the
student’s citizenship grade to “U”. Repeat offenders will be subject to more
severe consequences that can include reporting the offense on the student’s high
school transcript and/or receiving an “F” in Economics for the semester.

PARENT COOPERATION & INVOLVEMENT:

In order to maximize the learning process, I encourage parents to talk to their
children regularly about school, homework, tests and projects, and to provide a
home environment that supports learning. I plan to call parents from time to time,
to let them know how their child is doing in class. Parents should feel free to
contact me by email or by phone, with any question about how their student is
doing.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE:

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 PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED PAGE TO MR. IRWIN:

I have read the course syllabus, and I understand the course description, the
teaching methods that will be employed and how the grades will be calculated. I
understand that the student is responsible for all class work and homework, and
that the student is expected to follow all school and class rules. I understand the
consequences for violating school or class rules, including tardiness, truancy, as
well as poor citizenship in class.

________________________________
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Student Printed Name Student Signature Date:

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___________________________________
Parent Printed Name Parent Signature Date:

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Parent Daytime Telephone Number Parent Evening Telephone Number

__________________________________________
Parent Email Address

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