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 time flying Cobra attack helicopters in the Marines.

Mr. McMurray has been teaching for 10 years, four of them at Winston Dowdell Academy.  

Is married and has three children.

Teaching  Economics this year.

Schedule 2009-2010

First Term

First Block: Economics

Second Block: Advanced Economics

Third Block: Plan

Fourth Block:  Economics

Second Term

First Block: Economics

Second Block: Economics

Third Block: Advanced Economics

Fourth Block: Plan

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

1. Be on time for class
2. Come to class prepared – book, pencil/pen, paper, NOTEBOOK, and homework
3. Demonstrate respect for yourself, yours peers, teachers, and guests
4. Be responsible for your own make-up work (see me for your work)

CLASS PROCEDURES

1. No food, drink, candy, or gum in class
2. Take care of water and restroom needs before class
3. Do your own work – stay on task
4. Do not leave trash in the room
5. Do not adjust thermostat or window blinds
6. If it does not belong to you, don’t touch it
7. 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

Tests                                              30 percent

Class work/Homework/Quizzes    50 percent

Notebook                                       10 percent

Nine Week Test                             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

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.

• What is Economics
• Economic Systems/Comparative Economic Systems
• Business Organizations/Financial Investments
• Demand/Supply/Price Determination
• Market Structures, Competition, and the role of Government
• Gross Domestic Product/Population, Economic Growth, and Business Cycles
• Unemployment, Inflation and Poverty/Employment, Labor, and Wages
• Sources of Government Revenue/Government Spending
• Money and Banking/The Federal Reserve System/Monetary Policy
• Achieving Economic Stability
• International Trade
• Developing Countries/Global Economic Challenges

• Lecture
• Writing Assignments
• Reading Assignments
• 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..."