Honors Economics 2012-2013

Mr. Perry Email: mrperry76@sbcglobal.net Telephone: 562-926-5566 ext. 22322 Economics can be summarized fairly simply: its all about the choices we need to make in order to deal with the fundamental problem of life: scarcity. In life, we face shortages of everything- resources, money, free time, etc.- and we constantly need to evaluate and choose from a variety of options. Economic thinking is, on a personal level, all about making the most rational, informed choices that maximize our satisfaction. On a larger scale, we can use economic thinking to try and maximize good for the greatest number of people. Economics is about looking critically and carefully at the world around us. Economic thinking is based on the fact that individuals have a variety of goals, and rational decision-making is the best way to achieve those goals. Economics is also based on the assumption that a person does something because they WANT to do something. (Why did you eat Taco Bell until got sick? YouWANTED to eat Taco Bell until you got sick.) Economics makes YOU responsible for YOUR actions. (This notion is especially true in light of the fact that you are seniors, ready to move into the freedom of college life.) I hope that you all will come to realize the value of adopting an economic point of view. Its lessons can provide insight into all aspects of your future. I wish you all an enjoyable senior year. Speaking of which: Since you are seniors and adults, you will be treated as such. Feel free to make whatever you want out of this class, but remember: this course is required for graduation. You may be seniors, but you are not invincible. You are probably experiencing moderate-to-severe senioritis already and you can get yourself into problematic situations. You are not immune to anything. For your own benefit, you should remember this.

How to Succeed in Economics: 1. Assume responsibility for your actions. You have the freedom of choice. Learn if you like, dont learn if you dont like. Ultimately, though, you and you alone are responsible for your choices and the consequences that accompany them. 2. Instead of memorizing, really try to learn- it may be easier to memorize things at times but it is much more beneficial to really know them. 3. Apply economic concepts to your daily lives for additional insight. Find connections with course material. It isnt hard- economics is everywhere! 4. Get used to drawing and labeling graphs 100% correctly. 5. Time is scarce- use it wisely for maximum efficiency. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns. I can meet at snack/lunch with advance notice, and you can contact me via email at any time (I check it several times a day, usually.) Thanks in advance for a good semester. Grading Breakdown Homework/classwork (including quizzes): 33% Tests: 34% Comp: 33% I average your two quarter final grades for your overall semester grade. You start over at the beginning of the second quarter of the semester (it has proven to be more helpful to students grades to do this rather than continue with an unweighted semester.)

Class Policies
I dont round. An A is 90.00% and above, a B is 80.00%, etc. There is an extracredit assignment posted on the class website that you can do EVERY WEEK if

you want your grade to be higher at the end of the semester. And dont ask me to round your grade up. I guarantee you if you ask me, it will certainly NOT happen. Cutoffs are necessary and need to be respected. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you may have missed. You may email me for missed material, or get notes from a friend in class, but ultimately, YOU need to assume responsibility for the material. This extends to future assignments as well- for example, you wont receive any leeway for not knowing about a quiz or something that is due on the day of your return if you havent bothered to contact me or a fellow classmate. On test days, no talking or communication of any kind with others will be permitted until every single person has finished their exam. This includes whispering, notepassing, card-playing, sign language, and in accordance with WHS policies, no electronic devices such as Ipods, cellular phones, etc. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. This includes: plagiarism, copying others work, passing on information to other periods, using cell phones or other electronic devices during exams, etc. I will refer any and all violations of this for disciplinary action. *ALL STUDENTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE WHITNEY STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR A THOROUGH EXPLANATION OF THE BEHAVIOR POLICIES. I will follow those policies that are laid out there in addition to my own specific classroom rules below. Basic class ground rules: 2. During class, if I am talking, you respect that and dont carry on conversations yourselves. If you would like to talk, you are free to leave class and talk outside. 3. Any student who wants to sleep is more than welcome to do so. However, you are still responsible for the material. 4. You can eat and drink in this class all you like- provided you pick up after yourselves. The custodial staff has enough to do already, and I like to keep my room clean.

5. No leaving class without permission- EVER. We have a hall pass on a lanyard that students may use for bathroom/locker visits. ONLY ONE STUDENT MAY LEAVE AT A TIME. Some final pieces of advice: 1) 2) Look around and see how the material you learn can be applied to your daily Dont blow off this class, because you need to pass in order to graduate. Like-

lives. It really does make it easier. wise, you need a decent grade to make sure your college admission offer doesnt get revoked. 2nd semester students should be aware that most colleges do not allow summer school re-takes anymore. If you get a D or lower, its bye-bye UC/CSU admission offers. 3) Enjoy yourselves- its senior year and you should have fun, but dont go overboard.