DESCRIPTION:
Students will study the free enterprise system to identify characteristics, benefits and goals of the system.  Analysis of supply and demand and its effect on prices  will include various forms of economic systems, monetary policies, consumerism, market conditions, and factors that determine these effects.  Students will be subjected to the impact of consumerism, government practices, related laws and taxation.  Further information will be examined in the state of Texas economy and its impact on individuals within the state.  Students will apply skills to organize and express ideas in written form, distinguish fact from opinion, draw conclusions, synthesize information, use problem solving skills, and develop criteria for making judgements
 Activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Economic terms and definitions
Plotting production possibility curves and graphs
Study of entrepreneurship
Laws of demand and demand curves
Laws of supply and supply curves
Shortage, surplus, equilibrium prices
Synthesizing information from graphs
Advertising, its techniques and influence
Analysis of advertising methods
Currency, the American monetary policy and foreign monies
Characteristics and production of money
www.treasury.gov/education/faq/currency/production.shtml
www.xe.com/ucc/full/

The Federal Reserve system and mint
Understanding taxes to include the IRS and federal income tax forms
www.irs.gov

Market trends in stock investing and speculation with practical exercises in investing
Economy of Texas with respect to varied agricultural, commercial, and investment products
Orientation and location of Texas centers with synthesis of information from varied sources to include Texas Almanac

GRADING:

Homework and participation        50%
Tests and major projects              30%
Quizzes/In class                              10%
Class participation/activities         10%