12th Grade Economics and United States Government

5th Period Miss Ziemer Room 221

Economics:
This course will give you an introductory understanding of how economies function. The
economy plays a part in every aspect of your life, and you cant leave high school without
understanding how it works. We will look at basic concepts of economics, governmental
involvement, personal finance, and current trends in economics. Economics is not everyones
favorite course, but it is critical to helping you navigate the business world and understand your
part in it.
Topics Covered:

Fundamental Economics Concepts

Supply and Demand
Types of Businesses
Production
Government policies
GDP
Inflation

Unemployment
Money
The Fed
The Business Cycle
Taxation
International Economics and Trade
Personal Finance

US Government:
This course is meant to give you the information you need to be an informed citizen and take full advantage of
the rights and responsibilities given to you in this country. You should emerge from this class with a solid
understanding of the core doctrines of our nation and be able to apply them to what is going on around us today.
Our schools mission statement includes our desire to create responsible and productive citizens of the world,
which must begin with being informed and active citizens of our own country. My hope for this class is that you
leave ready to participate in creating our countrys future, instead of being a passive bystander.

Topics covered:

Historical and Philosophical Origins of

US Government
Early forms of government and
influence in the United States
Major Features of the US Constitution
and Bill of Rights
Federal Division of Power
Local and State Government

Suffrage
Elections, Special Interest Groups,
and the Media
Political Parties
The Branches of the US Government
Role of Citizens in the American
Democracy
Domestic and Foreign Policy

Supplies Needed:
Every day, you should bring

Your Notebook (the part with paper and the part that holds other paper)
Writing Utensils
Loose leaf paper
Your Post-its

We do have a textbook for this course, but we will mostly be using it as a supplement. I will tell
you ahead of time if you need it for class. You are free to leave your textbook on the green shelf
in my classroom if you dont want to carry it back and forth. Be warned, however, that you will
not be able to get it when I am teaching or not in the room, so be sure to keep it with you if you
need it to complete an assignment.

Attendance:
Be in class with all your supplies before the bell rings. Try to present and prepared for every
class.
If you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to get the notes and assignments you missed. I will
write your name on any handouts or assignments you miss and place it in the corresponding
folder in the What Did I Miss? Box. It is up to you to go to the box and get what you missed.
DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING FROM THE BUCKET THAT IS NOT YOURS. Lost that
handout? Ask a friend for a copy or come tell me. I only have so many copies I am allowed per
semester, and Id rather use those on things that will benefit the whole class instead of making up
for your irresponsibility/disorganization.
If you miss a test or quiz, I will write out a missed assessment form and place it in the box. It is
your responsibility to schedule a make-up time and date with me no more than 3 days after you
return.

Academic Policies:
Objectives and Homework: Every day, I will write the objective for our class and any homework
you will have on the boards by the door. It is your responsibility to check these boards when you
come in and make note of any homework you may have. I will also use the homework board to
alert you to upcoming tests, quizzes, and project deadlines. If my handwriting is so terrible that
you cannot read it, please let me know.
No Name: Assignments turned in with no name will be treated as late (and lose 10 points). I will
put them on the No Name board (and Beyonc will judge you). Please check that board when
you come in and make sure your work is not losing points.
Late Assignments: You will lose 10 points for assignments that are turned in a day or less after
the time they are due. If you turn in the assignment two days late, you will lose 20 points. Any

assignments not turned in by that point will result in a detention, where you will complete the
work for 50% credit.
If you leave an assignment in your locker, you may choose to either take a tardy to go retrieve it
or lose 10 points on the assignment.
Grade Breakdown:
45 %: Tests and Projects
25%: Quizzes
15%: Homework
15%: Classwork (Notebook checks, participation)

Extra Credit:
There will be many opportunities for extra credit throughout the semester. I think that the best way to
learn is through experience, and while we cant do that every day in class, our community offers great
opportunities to learn about other cultures or understand more about the content we are studying.
I will always notify you ahead of time and I will send an email home to your parents letting them know
about it as well. To receive credit, you will write a two page report on the event (two pages, double
spaced, size 12 font, normal margins) and what you gained from it, as well as turn in a witness statement
completed by your parent or the adult that went with you or witnessed you completing the activity. I will
count this report (if done properly) as an extra quiz grade or as five points on a test, whichever will
benefit you more.
I dont do extra credit at the last minute. I offer you several opportunities for extra credit throughout the
semester, therefore I will not create special extra credit for you at the end of the nine week period. Please
dont ask.

Grading Scale

Excellent

90-100

Good

80-89

Average

70-79

Poor

60-69

Failure

59 and below

*Note: Athletes (and all students) beware- a D in this class on a report card makes you ineligible
to participate in any extracurricular activities, including sports, for the following 9 weeks. Please
keep your grade up, and if you are having trouble, come talk to me.

Progress Reports are given out at the halfway mark of each nine weeks. Report Cards come

out at the end of each nine weeks. If you are concerned about your grade in the meantime, come
see me and we will discuss it in person.
Cheating: Just dont. This includes copying another students work, using unauthorized aides

during assessments, and plagiarism. See Handbook for consequences.

Retaking Tests: If you fail a test in my class, its not the end of the world. You have an

opportunity to retake ONE test per semester. The test format will be different, but it will cover
the same material. You only get one shot at this, and you must retake the test within 3 days of
me returning the original test to you. Again, please see me if/when you decide to use this and
schedule a time to make up your test.

Behavioral Policies
In this class, as in the school at large, we seek to promote Christ-like Character. No one
is perfect, but we hope that we are continually striving to display

Inquiry
Gratitude
Grace
Self-Control

Courage
Enthusiasm
Respect
Awareness

Commitment
Integrity
Grit
Reflection

I will refer to the Handbook for consequences of behavioral offenses. (You read it, you signed it,
lets do it.).