Mr. Bill McMurray

(This page includes staff biography, schedule and syllabus for the classes that they are presently teaching.)

Graduated from Humboldt State University in California with a BA in History and  earned an MA in Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Also spent some time flying Cobra attack helicopters in the Marines.

Mr. McMurray has been teaching for 8 years, four of them at Winston Dowdell Academy.  This is his fourth year at Newnan.

Is married and has three children.

Teaching  Economics this year.

Schedule 2007-2008

First Term

First Block: Economics

Second Block: Plan

Third Block: Economics

Fourth Block: Economics

Second Term

First Block: Economics

Second Block: Plan

Third Block: Civics

Fourth Block: Economics

Syllabus- Civics

Civics is the study of citizenship and government. In this course we will learn the privileges and responsibilities of United States citizenship, the structures, functions, and purpose of government, and the American political process.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

Be on time for class

Come to class prepared - book, pencil/pen, paper, homework

Demonstrate respect for yourself, yours peers, teachers, and guests

Be responsible for your own make-up work

CLASS PROCEDURES

No food, drink, candy, or gum in class

Take care of water and restroom needs before class

Do your own work - stay on task

Do not leave trash in the room

Do not adjust thermostat or window blinds

If it does not belong to you, don't touch it

Be seated when the bell rings

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY

Students must make-up missed assignments within 3 days of the absence. It is the student's responsibility to obtain missed assignments/tests from the teacher.

GRADING POLICY

Nine weeks tests: 10 percent

Tests and quizzes: 20 percent

Classwork: 20 percent

Homework: 20 percent

Project: 20 percent

Participation: 10 percent

Challenges shape our character. Respond enthusiastically to the challenges of this class, and you will not only gain knowledge, but you will be shaping a positive future for yourself.

Syllabus- Economics

Teacher: Mr. William McMurray and Mrs. Kim Caldwell

Email: william.mcmurray@cowetaschools.org

Text:  Economics, Principles in Action, Pearson Prentice Hall,  New Jersey: 2005

 ($60 replacement cost)

Economics is the study of the nation’s economic system with comparison to other economic systems.  Emphasis will be placed on Gross National Product (GNP), supply and demand, monetary policy, scarcity, and market structure.  Economics will be taught to seniors for a full term and will allow for more instruction in the concepts of microeconomics and macroeconomics as well as some instruction in personal finance. This course is required for graduation.  Students will take a required Georgia State End of Course Test (EOCT) which accounts for 15% of their final grade.

Course Outline:

Ø      What is Economics

Ø      Economic Systems/Comparative Economic Systems

Ø      Business Organizations/Financial Investments

Ø      Demand/Supply/Price Determination

Ø      Market Structures, Competition, and the role of Government

Ø      Gross Domestic Product/Population, Economic Growth, and Business Cycles

Ø      Unemployment, Inflation and Poverty/Employment, Labor, and Wages

Ø      Sources of Government Revenue/Government Spending

Ø      Money and Banking/The Federal Reserve System/Monetary Policy

Ø      Achieving Economic Stability

Ø      International Trade

Ø      Developing Countries/Global Economic Challenges

Expectations:

• Regular attendance
• Be on time with all materials
• Complete all assignments and be prepared to discuss in class
• Assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of class.
• Any student caught cheating (includes doing homework in class) will receive a zero for that assignment, discipline referral, & parent notification.
• All provisions/rules of the school handbook will be enforced.
• There is NO food, drink, candy, gum, etc. allowed in class.

Ø      Lecture

Ø      Writing Assignments

Ø      Reading Assignments

Ø      Cooperative Learning

Evaluation:

Class Work/Homework: 60% of “in-class grade”

Tests/Projects: 40% of “in-class” grade.

*The above grades count for 85% of your final grade.

*The End of Course Test (EOCT):  15% of final grade.

"Bringing our subjects to life..."