| Course Description Advanced Placement Microeconomics and Macroeconomics are designed to prepare students for taking separate AP Examinations in each of these disciplines. Critically, coverage and learning assessment strategies will closely parallel expectations by the College Board for the successful completion of the AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics examinations. The essentials of micro-economics will be covered during the first semester. Macroeconomic theory will be covered in the Spring semester, followed by an intensive test preparation for the mid-May examinations. Microeconomics provides students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and function of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Macroeconomics provides a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic, and international economics.
Resources Economics Principles, Problems, and Policies (Sixteenth Edition). McConnell, Campbell R. and Brue, Stanley L. McGraw-Hill. 2005. New Ideas from Dead Economists: An Introduction to Modern Economic Thought, Todd G. Buchholz. The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade, Pitera Rivoli Mr. Ericson’s Directed Readings 5 Steps To A 5 : AP Macroeconomics / Microeconomics. Dodge, Eric. McGraw-Hill. 2005. [Student-Purchase]Economic Report of the President 2007, Government Printing Office
Expectations and Obligations I expect that you are taking this class in order to gain a proficient understanding of economics and to score a four or five on the AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics examinations. To this end I expect that you will: -
Be prepared when you come to class each day: all assignments have been completed and the requisite materials are in hand. -
Be working on the daily warm-up exercise when the bell rings. -
Show respect to one another and to the learning process: behavior that distracts from learning will not be tolerated. -
Be positive in your approach to learning: participate in class discussions and otherwise contribute to the class goal of gaining a proficient understanding of economics. -
Be committed to taking and doing well on the Advanced Placement test in Microeconomics, to include spending the extra time necessary to meet AP course expectations. As your instructor, I also have a number of obligations to fulfill. -
I will position you to excel on the Advanced Placement Exams. -
I will treat you with respect and grade you fairly. -
I will maintain an economics blog covering current economic happenings and a detailed web page with electronic copies of materials handed out in class, a calendar of upcoming events, and hyperlinks to background information. -
I will retain regular office hours every Wednesday after school, and will otherwise make myself available for consultation at our mutual convenience. -
I will keep you informed of your academic progress and return graded tests, quizzes, and assignments on a timely basis. I will provide you with self-assessment and grading rubrics to help you undertake high-quality work. -
I will host a luncheon ‘study hall’ in my room: you are welcome to come as long as you contribute to keeping noise to a minimum. Student Evaluations Each six-week grade is calculated according to the following weighted rubric. Individual tests, quizzes, projects, and essays will be individually weighted according to their relative importance. I will do my best to align my grading with your anticipated performance on the AP Microeconomics exam given next May.
- 55% Unit Examinations, Chapter Tests, and Announced Quizzes: I maintain the option of giving those who miss any examination either the same or alternative test. Students whose absence from a test is unexcused will receive a failing grade. For major units, tests will be given over two days. The first day will be multiple-choice; the second day is free response.
- 15% Homework, and Unannounced Quizzes: The purpose of homework is to prepare you for the day’s discussions: late homework will not be accepted unless you are absent from class.
- 15% Essays and Projects: Essays and projects will be assigned on a regular basis and will normally be accompanied by a grading rubric. Late work will be accepted, but substantial points will be deducted unless my approval has been obtained in advance.
- 15% Class Participation: Class participation grades will be assigned every three weeks according to the following rubric. I consider class participation to be a critical component of your learning experience, and consider participation to be about giving your best effort than in getting the answer right every time. Critically, you must have completed requisite reading and other homework assignments in order to participate effectively.
Course Descriptions Microeconomics provides students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and function of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Macroeconomics provides a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic, and international economics.
Special Projects and Essays Microeconomics
Working in teams, students will develop class presentations regarding the contributions of various economists – as detailed in New Ideas from Dead Economists- to modern day economic thinking. Each student will be required to compete in the Richmond Federal Reserve’s essay contest. Each student will be required to produce an investigative case study of an oligopolistic industry. Macroeconomics We will field one or more teams to participate in the Adam Smith division of the National Economics Challenge. This team will compete state-wide on the basis of multiple choice examinations and a quiz bowl. Winning teams advance to regional competition. We will field a team or teams in the Fed Challenge, where we placed second in the spring of 2007. Team winners advance to regional competition. Each student not participating in the Fed Challenge will be required to prepare an in-depth analysis of a foreign country’s macroeconomic history, policy tools, and current dynamics.
Current Events Students are expected to keep abreast of current events as they relate to concepts covered in the course. In many cases articles will be provided for review and analysis. Students can also expect a weekly current events quiz based on information posted to my Economics Revealed blog. |
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