• Economics is the study of how people make choices to balance the things they want with the limitations of what is available for them to have. In a sense, every decision you ever make is based on economics. You make choices. The choices you make have consequences involving costs and benefits. Our country and our world face larger economic concerns such as international conflict, unemployment, inflation, poverty, discrimination, and pollution. In order to analyze economic problems--big and small--you must understand the economic forces that shape them.

    Course Length: 1 Semester

    Credit: Economics or AP Microeconomics (Req.). . . . ½ Credit. The academic program allows students to earn a required minimum of 23 credits to graduate from Fort High School. Among the necessary 23 credits, this course satisfies the State of Wisconsin graduation requirements.

    Classroom Procedures: 

    Tardy Unexcused - Being late to class causes a disruption to learning of the individual student as well as the group that has already begun the lesson. Students are expected to be in class on time. Students that miss more than 15 min of class, study hall or flex period will now be considered “absent” and marked as such. Each time a student reaches a threshold of 10 TUN, they will be considered a full day absence for the quarter for that particular class.

    Cell Phones, headphones (i.e. airpods/earbuds) and other electronic communication devices are to be used only during passing time, and lunch time. Devices may not be used during learning time. Every classroom and study hall will have one of two options for safely storing your device. Personal devices are NOT permitted for any work we do in class. Please use your district provided Chromebook for all assignments or course work.

    *Social Studies classes deal with a variety of topics which may not align with your personal beliefs. The subject matter presented will be done in an objective manner, free of bias and is not necessarily reflective of Mr. Torrisi’s own opinion. Civil discourse is encouraged, however, respect must be at the forefront of any and all discussions within the classroom - regardless of if you agree or disagree with what is being said.

    Grading:

    Grades are calculated using the following grading scale. Homework or in-class work will be categorized as “formative” work, while projects, papers, and tests will be graded as “summative”. Formative assignments will account for 25% of your final grade, Summative assignments will account for 75% of your final grade.

    Grade Scale: 

    Course Outline:

    The following units are anticipated to be covered throughout the course of the semester. I reserve the right to alter the structure of the course should extenuating circumstances arise.

    Unit 1: Foundations of Economics Unit 2: Globalization and Trade

    Unit 3: Supply, Demand, and Prices Unit 4: Markets, Business, and Labor

     

    Unit 5: Macroeconomics Unit 6: Taxes and Spending

     

    Unit 7: Money and Banking Unit 8: Fiscal and Monetary Policy

     

    You are responsible for any missing work, which will be posted on Google Classroom. Grades will be posted and updated in PowerSchool/Google Classroom on a weekly basis, typically on Fridays. 

     

    All missing assignments/tests will be entered in as “NE” ten (10) days after the due date. Tests are unable to be retaken if you have any missing work from the units in which they were assigned. Please refer to the weekly agendas posted in Google Classroom, which will be current every Monday morning at the start of each week.

    Mr. Torrisi’s schedule is posted on Google Classroom, should you ever need to see him outside of class, during Homeroom (Enrichment), or after school. Should you need to contact Mr. Torrisi outside of class, please feel free to email at torrisij@fortschools.org. However, please note that emails outside of school hours will not be seen or answered until school hours resume.