In addition to an oral presentation you must turn in to the professor a typed, double-spaced copy of your lesson plan.  At the top of the lesson plan, describe the economic principles being taught, any sources used in developing your original lesson plan, the grade level, special materials needed, and the amount of time required. Your written lesson plan should be sufficiently detailed so that one could successfully facilitate the activity without your supervision.   Examples are on reserve at the library.

Additionally, you must distribute a one-page handout to all students in the class that summarizes your lesson plan, lists sources and references, and provides any additional information that would be of use to your classmates.

Your grade will be based on the quality of your presentation and the economic soundness and creativeness of your lesson plan.  You should try to demonstrate as much of the lesson plan as possible.  Do not simply read the handout that you've given the class.  The dates and concepts will be assigned at the beginning of the semester.

Group Project: The group project will analyze and explain the economic causes and consequences of a major event in California history and provide resources for teaching the topic.  Possible events include the Gold Rush, water crises/politics, Proposition 13, Japanese internment during WWII, and the Mexican-American war, among others.  The event must be historically important and the issues may still be relevant today.  Since economics is about chosing between alternatives, it is best to pick a topic that will have an interesting answer to the questions "Why did this happen?" and "What were the consequences?"  Another way of putting this is "Why did people make the decisions they made?"  Note that these questions are not relevant for a time period (because time moves on regardless) so an inappropriate topic would be "California during the Great Depression."  Instead, a topic might be "California's government spending response to the Great Depression."

There are two parts to the project.  First, each group must create a webpage of teaching resources.  This webpage will have pictures, suggestions, links, and sources that teachers will find helpful when they teach the chosen topic.  It should also have a brief summary of the economic causes and consequences for the event.  Second, the group must make a  25 minute presentation to the class.  The presentation will briefly show the webpage, but most of the presentation will explain the economics of the event studied. 

The score that I assign your group will be based on the quality of your resource webpage, the quality of your presentation, and the economic content of your analysis.  Additionally, each person in the group is required to turn in a written "grade" for each group member (including themselves) and a brief explanation.  This is designed to encourage active participation by all group members.  Adjustments to individual scores may be made based on these self-grades.  Groups will be assigned at the beginning of the semester.  Topics must be approved by the instructor. A one page proposal is due Tuesday, September 23.  Presentations will be during the last two weeks of the semester.

Activity Packet:  The activity packet consists of two news analyses and one teaching strategy.  The Packet will thus have three entries.  Each of the two news analyses will use articles dated after August 24, 2003 and consist of three sections. First, included a copy of the article.  Second, clearly identify and describe the economic concepts underlying the story. Third, on a separate page use a diagram, illustration, or numerical example to clarify the economic concepts contained in the news story.  The best news analyses will highlight the concepts we learned in class contained within the news story.  Examples are on reserve at the library, and it is strongly recommended that you look at these before you begin your work.  The teaching strategy will be a brief essay (2 pages) which illustrates how you will meet the California State Board of Education's History/Social Science Standards for your grade level.  You should be as specific as possible about what economic content you will convey to your students and how you will accomplish this.  You may also indicate which economic concepts are not appropriate for your grade level.  Your grade will be based in part on how thoughtful your essay is.  The Packet is to be typed, double-spaced, and stapled.  The packet is due Thursday, November 20.

Midterm: The midterm is Thursday, October 16.  No alternate time will be provided.

Final: The final for this class is Tuesday, December 16 at 3pm (for section 1 which meets TR 2-3:30pm) and Thursday, December 18 at 3pm (for section 2 which meets TR 3:30-5pm).   No alternate time will be provided.

I check my e-mail quite often. An e-mail question will likely have the greatest chance for a speedy reply. Even if I cannot be found in person or by phone, I will usually be able to answer your e-mail messages.