Monday January 31, 2011 – Period 2
Tuesday February 1, 2011 – Periods 1, 5, 7
Today we began our class with the question: What is Economics?
Economics deals with the fundamental economic problem of scarcity. Scarcity is a condition caused by the combination of unlimited wants and limited resources. TINSTAAFL, which stands for There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch, is often used to remind us that resources are scarce and that we must make careful economic decisions about how we will use these resources. Scarce resources are divided into four factors of production land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship which are needed in the production of all goods and services.
Chapter 2 notebook guide was handed out and assigned for homework.
Wednesday January 19, 2011 – Periods 1, 5, 7 Thursday January 20, 2011 – Period 2
The chief tools of foreign policy are diplomacy, military force, economic exchange, and intelligence gathering. These are exercised through specialized agencies of the U.S. government. Increasingly, foreign policy has also relied on international organizations, such as the UN and WTO, which are responsive to the global concerns of major nations. The United States also maintains a high degree of defense preparedness. This preparedness mandates a worldwide deployment of U.S. conventional and strategic forces.
Friday January 14, 2011 -Periods 1, 5, 7 Tuesday January 18, 2011 – Period 2
U.S. foreign policy has undergone many shifts. Although specific policies have changed over the years, the basic goals of U.S. foreign policy have remained constant. These goals are based on what Americans see as our nation’s vital interests: protecting security, preserving peace, promoting prosperity, and pursuing humanitarian ideals. The way Americans think about foreign policy is strongly affected by their view of the world and its impact on their lives.
Monday January 10, 2011 – Periods 1, 5, 7 Tuesday January 11, 2011 – Period 2
We completed a Chapter 13 review. The chapter 13 quiz will be on Wednesday 1/12 for periods 1, 5, & 7. For period 2, it will be on Thursday 1/13.
We examined the role and composition of the American judicial system, and the Supreme Court in particular. The Supreme Court functions mainly as an appellate court, The Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals, which hear appeals, and the Federal District Courts, which hold trials. Each state has a court system of its own, which for the most part is independent of supervision by the federal courts.
Thursday January 6, 2011 – Periods 1, 5, 7 Friday January 7, 2011 – Period 2
Don’t forget to post on our class wiki for this 4-week cycle, which will end on Friday January 7, 2011. We will use the new Barlow class website’s blog to post articles and comments. Log in using your BarlowX login and password.
The United States could not be governed without a large federal bureaucracy . The day-to-day work of the federal government, from mail delivery to provision of social security to international diplomacy, is done by the bureaucracy. The federal bureaucracy’s 2.5 million employees work in roughly four hundred major agencies, including cabinet departments, independent agencies, regulatory agencies, government corporations, and presidential commissions.
We will look at the Federal Reserve as an example of a government agency and how it functions and operates.
Tuesday January 4, 2011 – Periods 1, 5, 7 Wednesday January 5, 2011 – Period 2
Don’t forget to post on our class wiki for this 4-week cycle, which will end on Friday January 7, 2011. We will use the new Barlow class website’s blog to post articles and comments. Log in using your BarlowX login and password.
Chapter 12 notebook guide was turned in and graded. We read an article about the 112th Congress and some concerns raised about possible challenges that President Obama may face. We began our coverage of chapter 13 which deals with the executive branch.
The president can always expect that his policy and leadership efforts will receive attention. However, Congress has the authority to make his leadership effective or ineffective. The president must have the help of other officials, and to get their cooperation he must respond to their concerns. To retain an effective leadership position, the president also depends on the strong backing of the American people. While many presidents have high support ratings early in their administrations, these ratings decline due to disappointment, scandal, or general disillusionment.
Government / Economics Class 